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Tag: fact

  • Trump has power to command National Guard troops in Oregon, 9th Circuit rules

    The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals handed command of Oregon National Guard troops to the president Monday, further raising the stakes in the ongoing multifront judicial battle over military deployments to cities across the U.S.

    A three-judge appellate panel — including two members appointed by Trump during his first term — found that the law “does not limit the facts and circumstances that the President may consider” when deciding whether to dispatch soldiers domestically.

    The judges found that when ordering a deployment, “The President has the authority to identify and weigh the relevant facts.”

    The ruling was a stark contrast to a lower-court judge’s finding earlier this month.

    U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut of Portland previously called the president’s justification for federalizing Oregon troops “simply untethered to the facts” in her Oct. 4 temporary restraining order.

    The appellate judges said they were guided by a precedent set in the 9th Circuit this summer, when California tried and failed to wrest back control of federalized soldiers in and around Los Angeles.

    Another proceeding in California’s case is scheduled before the appellate court this week and the court’s earlier decision could be reversed. At the same time, an almost identical deployment in Illinois is under review by the Supreme Court.

    For now, exactly which troops can deploy in Portland remains bitterly contested in U.S. District court, where Immergut blocked the administration from flooding Portland with Guardsmen from California.

    The issue is likely to be decided by Supreme Court later this fall.

    The judges who heard the Oregon case outlined the dueling legal theories in their opinions. The two members of the bench who backed Trump’s authority over the troops argued the law is straightforward.

    “The President’s decision in this area is absolute,” wrote Judge Ryan D. Nelson, a Trump appointee, in a concurrence arguing that the court had overstepped its bounds in taking the case at all.

    “Reasonable minds will disagree about the propriety of the President’s National Guard deployment in Portland,” Nelson wrote. “But federal courts are not the panacea to cure that disagreement—the political process is (at least under current Supreme Court precedent).”

    Susan P. Graber, a Clinton appointee, said the appellate court had veered into parody.

    “Given Portland protesters’ well-known penchant for wearing chicken suits, inflatable frog costumes, or nothing at all when expressing their disagreement with the methods employed by ICE, observers may be tempted to view the majority’s ruling, which accepts the government’s characterization of Portland as a war zone, as merely absurd,” she wrote in her stinging dissent.

    But the stakes of sending armed soldiers to American cities based on little more than “propaganda” are far higher, she wrote.

    “I urge my colleagues on this court to act swiftly to vacate the majority’s order before the illegal deployment of troops under false pretenses can occur,” Graber wrote. “Above all, I ask those who are watching this case unfold to retain faith in our judicial system for just a little longer.”

    Sonja Sharp

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  • Trump-appointed judges signal willingness to let president deploy troops to states

    The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals appears poised to recognize President Trump’s authority to send soldiers to Portland, Ore., with members of the court signaling receptiveness to an expansive new read of the president’s power to put boots on the ground in American cities.

    A three-judge panel from the appellate court — including two members appointed by Trump during his first term — heard oral arguments Thursday after Oregon challenged the legality of the president’s order to deploy hundreds of soldiers to Portland. The administration claims the city has become lawless; Oregon officials argue Trump is manufacturing a crisis to justify calling in the National Guard.

    While the court has not issued a decision, a ruling in Trump’s favor would mark a sharp rightward turn for the once-liberal circuit — and probably set up a Supreme Court showdown over why and how the U.S. military can be used domestically.

    “I’m sort of trying to figure out how a district court of any nature is supposed to get in and question whether the president’s assessment of ‘executing the laws’ is right or wrong,” said Judge Ryan D. Nelson of Idaho Falls, Idaho, one of the two Trump appointees hearing the arguments.

    “That’s an internal decision making, and whether there’s a ton of protests or low protests, they can still have an impact on his ability to execute the laws,” he said.

    U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut of Portland, another Trump appointee, previously called the president’s justification for federalizing Oregon troops “simply untethered to the facts” in her temporary restraining on Oct. 4.

    The facts about the situation on the ground in Portland were not in dispute at the hearing on Thursday. The city has remained mostly calm in recent months, with protesters occasionally engaging in brief skirmishes with authorities stationed outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building.

    Instead, Nelson and Judge Bridget S. Bade of Phoenix, whom Trump once floated as a possible Supreme Court nominee, questioned how much the facts mattered.

    “The president gets to direct his resources as he deems fit, and it seems a little counterintuitive to me that the city of Portland can come and say, ‘No you need to do it differently,’” Nelson said.

    He also appeared to endorse the Department of Justice’s claim that “penalizing” the president for waiting until protests had calmed to deploy soldiers to quell them created a perverse incentive to act first and ask questions later.

    “It just seems like such a tortured reading of the statute,” the judge said. He then referenced the first battle of the U.S. Civil War in 1861, saying, “I’m not sure even President Lincoln would be able to bring in forces when he did, because if he didn’t do it immediately after Fort Sumter, [Oregon’s] argument would be, ‘Oh, things are OK now.’”

    Trump’s efforts to use troops to quell protests and support federal immigration operations have led to a growing tangle of legal challenges. The Portland deployment was halted by Immergut, who blocked Trump from federalizing Oregon troops. (A ruling from the same case issued the next day prevents already federalized troops from being deployed.)

    In June, a different 9th Circuit panel also made up of two Trump appointees ruled that the president had broad — though not “unreviewable” — discretion to determine whether facts on the ground met the threshold for military response in Los Angeles. Thousands of federalized National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines were deployed over the summer amid widespread protests over immigration enforcement.

    The June decision set precedent for how any future deployment in the circuit’s vast territory can be reviewed. It also sparked outrage, both among those who oppose armed soldiers patrolling American streets and those who support them.

    Opponents argue repeated domestic deployments shred America’s social fabric and trample protest rights protected by the 1st Amendment. With soldiers called into action so far in Los Angeles, Portland and Chicago, many charge the administration is using the military for political purposes.

    “The military should not be acting as a domestic police force in this country except in the most extreme circumstances,” said Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Liberty and National Security Program at New York University’s Brennan Center for Justice. “That set of circumstances is not present right now anywhere in the country, so this is an abuse of power — and a very dangerous one because of the precedent it sets.”

    Supporters say the president has sole authority to determine the facts on the ground and if they warrant military intervention. They argue any check by the judicial branch is an illegal power grab, aimed at thwarting response to a legitimate and growing “invasion from within.”

    “What they’ve done to San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles — they’re very unsafe places, and we’re going to straighten them out one by one,” Trump said in an address to military top brass last week. “That’s a war too. It’s a war from within.”

    The 9th Circuit agreed to rehear the Los Angeles case with an 11-member “en banc” panel in Pasadena on Oct. 22, signaling a schism among Trump’s own judges over the boundaries of the president’s power.

    Still, Trump’s authority to call soldiers into American cities is only the first piece in a larger legal puzzle spread before the 9th Circuit, experts said.

    What federalized troops are allowed to do once deployed is the subject of another court decision now under review. That case could determine whether soldiers are barred from assisting immigration raids, controlling crowds of protesters or any other form of civilian law enforcement.

    Trump officials have maintained the president can wield the military as he sees fit — and that cities such as Portland and L.A. would be in danger if soldiers can’t come to the rescue.

    “These are violent people, and if at any point we let down our guard, there is a serious risk of ongoing violence,” Deputy Assistant Atty. Gen. Eric McArthur said. “The president is entitled to say enough is enough and bring in the National Guard.”

    Sonja Sharp

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  • Trump slams judge he picked as court tests limits of president’s power to deploy troops

    President Trump has often locked horns with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, with the once left-leaning court putting a persistent drag on his first-term agenda.

    And now, even after remaking the bench with his own appointees, the president is still tangling with the West Coast’s federal appellate court — a situation poised to boil over as the circuit juggles multiple challenges to his use of the National Guard to police American streets.

    “I appointed the judge and he goes like that — I wasn’t served well,” Trump told reporters Sunday, lashing out at U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut of Portland after she temporarily blocked the deployment of federalized troops.

    “To have a judge like that, that judge ought to be ashamed of himself,” Trump said, referring to Immergut, who is a woman.

    The president has long railed against judges who rule against him, calling them “monsters,” “deranged,” and “radical” at various points in the past.

    Trump has also occasionally sniped at conservative jurists, including U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, whom he called “disgraceful” after the court rejected his bid to overturn the 2020 election.

    But this weekend’s spat marked a shift in his willingness to go after his own appointees — a turn experts say could become much sharper as his picks to the appellate bench test his ambition to put boots on the ground in major cities across the U.S.

    “The fact that a pretty conservative judge ruled the way she did is an indication that some conservative judges would rule similarly,” said Ilya Somin, a law professor at George Mason University and a constitutional scholar at the Cato Institute.

    The 9th Circuit handed the administration an early victory in the troop fight this spring, finding that courts must give “a great level of deference” to the president to decide whether facts on the ground warrant military intervention.

    That ruling is set to be reviewed by a larger appellate panel, and could ultimately be reversed. The circuit is also now set to review a September decision barring federalized troops in California from aiding in civilian law enforcement, as well as Immergut’s temporary restraining order blocking the deployment over the weekend.

    In the meantime, the 9th Circuit’s June decision has served as a guidepost for states seeking to limit what Oregon called a “nationwide campaign to assimilate the military into civilian law enforcement.”

    “That decision is binding, and it does require a substantial degree of deference on the factual issues,” Somin said. “[But] when what the president does is totally divorced from reality, that limit is breached.”

    Immergut appeared to agree, saying in her ruling that circumstances in Portland this fall were significantly different than those in L.A. in the spring. While some earlier protests did turn violent, she wrote, recent pickets outside Portland’s ICE headquarters have featured lawn chairs and low energy.

    “Violence elsewhere cannot support troop deployments here, and concern about hypothetical future conduct does not demonstrate a present inability to execute the laws using nonmilitary federal law enforcement,” the judge wrote, addressing the 9th Circuit decision.

    “The President is certainly entitled ‘a great level of deference,’” Immergut continued. “But ‘a great level of deference’ is not equivalent to ignoring the facts on the ground. … The President’s determination was simply untethered to the facts.”

    But exactly where the appellate court may draw the line on presidential fact-finding is tricky, experts said.

    “How much deference is owed to the president? That’s something we’re all talking about,” said John C. Dehn, a professor at Loyola University Chicago School of Law.

    Whether courts can review the president’s judgment at all is a matter that splits even some of the president’s most conservative judicial picks from his current Justice Department attorneys.

    So far, Trump has relied on an esoteric subsection of the U.S. Code for the authority to send soldiers on immigration raids and to control crowds of protesters.

    Dehn and others have characterized that reading of the code as semantic and divorced from its legal context.

    “They’re looking at the words in a vacuum and arguing the broadest possible meaning they can think of,” Dehn said. “The administration is not engaged in good faith statutory interpretation — they’re engaged in linguistic manipulation of these statutes.”

    Immegur agreed, quoting Supreme Court precedent saying “[i]nterpretation of a word or phrase depends upon reading the whole statutory text.”

    For some conservative legal scholars, Trump appointees’ willingness to push back on repeated deployments could signal a limit — or a dangerous new escalation in the administration’s attacks on jurists who defy them.

    “It’s obvious the administration is trying to do this on a bigger scale,” Somin said. “Ideally we would not rely on litigation alone to deal with it.”

    Sonja Sharp

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  • Charges filed against owners of New York boarding facility after 21 dogs found dead

    Charges have officially been filed after 21 dogs were found dead at a boarding facility in Argyle, New York.Robert and Anastasia Palulis, the owners of Anastasia’s Acres, are facing 22 misdemeanor counts after investigators said the building where the dogs were held did not have proper water access or ventilation.The charges are for overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance, which is considered a misdemeanor under New York State Law, according to court paperwork obtained by sister station WPTZ.One dog was taken to an emergency animal clinic for care.Both owners were released and are due in Argyle court at a later date.The owner of two of the dogs who died said she was devastated by the news of her beloved pets’ deaths.”Their house is literally 30 feet from the kennel where the dogs are boarded,” said Danielle Barber. “So the fact that nobody went out to check on the dogs at any point in time. I’m sure there were dogs barking in distress.”Anastasia’s Acres has been in business since 2020, and provides boarding, day care, training, grooming, and home care services for local dog owners, according to their website.Barber went on to say that she has not heard from either Robert or Anastasia Palulis following the incident.”I hope that she is held responsible… there are 21 dogs involved, it’s just completely unforgivable,” Barber said. “And the fact that she has not reached out in any sort of capacity to offer condolences, remorse, anything speaks volumes.”On Monday, WPTZ reached out to the owners of the business for comment, but they did not respond.

    ARGYLE, N.Y. —

    Charges have officially been filed after 21 dogs were found dead at a boarding facility in Argyle, New York.

    Robert and Anastasia Palulis, the owners of Anastasia’s Acres, are facing 22 misdemeanor counts after investigators said the building where the dogs were held did not have proper water access or ventilation.

    The charges are for overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance, which is considered a misdemeanor under New York State Law, according to court paperwork obtained by sister station WPTZ.

    One dog was taken to an emergency animal clinic for care.

    Both owners were released and are due in Argyle court at a later date.

    via Washington County Sheriff’s Office

    Robert and Anastasia Palulis

    The owner of two of the dogs who died said she was devastated by the news of her beloved pets’ deaths.

    “Their house is literally 30 feet from the kennel where the dogs are boarded,” said Danielle Barber. “So the fact that nobody went out to check on the dogs at any point in time. I’m sure there were dogs barking in distress.”

    Anastasia’s Acres has been in business since 2020, and provides boarding, day care, training, grooming, and home care services for local dog owners, according to their website.

    Barber went on to say that she has not heard from either Robert or Anastasia Palulis following the incident.

    “I hope that she is held responsible… [the fact that] there are 21 dogs involved, it’s just completely unforgivable,” Barber said. “And the fact that she has not reached out in any sort of capacity to offer condolences, remorse, anything speaks volumes.”

    On Monday, WPTZ reached out to the owners of the business for comment, but they did not respond.

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  • Commentary: Pick for Nevada prosecutor shows justice under Trump isn’t blind — it’s been perverted

    The parade of Trump terribles is a long one, starting in Washington and stretching clear across this beleaguered nation.

    A bumbling Defense secretary who lacks the competence to organize a two-car military procession.

    A screw-loose Health secretary who seems not to care if measles and other plagues descend on America.

    A director of national intelligence who’s shown no great abundance of that quality but, rather, an eagerness to twist and bend facts like a coat hanger, serving whatever cockamamie claim the president burps up.

    Because, after all, obeisance and lay-down-your-life loyalty are the main prerequisites for service in the Trump administration, along with the all-important consideration of how one comes across on television.

    How else to explain the chief federal prosecutor he’s imposed on Nevada, Sigal Chattah?

    Chattah, 50, devoted years to a not-particularly-noteworthy legal career, practicing domestic and international law at her Las Vegas firm and teaching political science for a time at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In 2022, Chattah was the Republican nominee for state attorney general, losing rather handily to incumbent Democrat Aaron Ford.

    But not before distinguishing herself as a notably reprehensible candidate.

    Among other things, Chattah compared Ford to the leader of Hamas and said that her opponent, who happens to be Black, “should be hanging from a f— crane.” (The Israeli-born Chattah told the Las Vegas Review Journal the “smart-ass comment” was a tongue-in-cheek expression derived from her Middle East background.)

    A pugnacious poster on social media — another perceived asset in Trump World — Chattah called a Black member of Congress a “hood rat,” a Black female prosecutor “ghetto” and a Black “Saturday Night Live” cast member a “monkey.”

    She suggested immigrants — make that “invaders” — and college protesters should be shot and transgenderism should be treated with “meds or commitment to an in-patient facility.”

    But what might have particularly endeared her to Trump is her embrace of his ego-salving Big Lie about the 2020 election being stolen from under him. Chattah even served as legal counsel to one of the fake electors who tried to overturn Joe Biden’s clear-cut victory and swipe Nevada for Trump.

    It’s hardly unusual for a president to pick a member of his party to serve as U.S. attorney, replacing the choice of a previous administration. In fact, even though justice is supposed to be blind and thus, theoretically above political considerations, that’s how the selection process usually works.

    But Trump has broken new and treacherous ground by installing not just partisans as federal prosecutors but lackeys — starting with Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi — who’ve shown their allegiance not to fair-minded application of the law but rather delivering on the feral impulses of their White House patron.

    Trump’s pick for top prosecutor in the Los Angeles area is Bill Essayli, a former state assemblyman from Riverside County whose main qualification seemed to be his loud, performative approach to serving in Sacramento’s GOP minority.

    Bondi appointed Essayli on an interim basis in early April. His appointment was limited to 120 days; normally within that time he would have been formally nominated and faced confirmation by the U.S. Senate. Knowing the latter was unlikely, the Trump administration executed an end run and named Essayli “acting U.S. attorney,” which gives him an additional 210 days in the job before he faces formal confirmation.

    As it happened, the very same day that maneuvering took place, prosecutors moved to dismiss charges in a criminal case involving one of Trump’s political donors.

    Coincidence?

    The same sleight-of-hand — interim appointment, designation as “acting U.S. attorney” — was used to extend the tenure of Trump sycophants as chief federal prosecutors in New Jersey, New Mexico, upstate New York and, in Chattah’s case, Nevada.

    (In a setback for Trump, a federal judge ruled last week that his former personal attorney, Alina Habba, was unlawfully serving as New Jersey’s top prosecutor, though the order was put on hold pending appeal.)

    Chattah’s partisanship is plain as a desert squall. In a remarkable breach of protocol and ethics — not to mention the federal law forbidding employees from mixing work and politics — she kept her position as Nevada’s representative on the Republican National Committee even as she served as interim U.S. attorney.

    Chattah abandoned the post only after the Nevada Independent reported on the obvious conflict of interest.

    Last month, in the final days before Chattah’s interim appointment ended, more than 100 retired state and federal judges wrote Nevada’s chief federal district judge to object to her continued service. The group said Chattah’s history of “racially charged, violence-tinged, and inflammatory public statements” was disqualifying.

    The Trump administration extended her tenure nonetheless.

    As part of their unavailing effort, the judges quoted a 1940 speech then-U.S. Atty. Gen. Robert H. Jackson delivered, citing the immense power and responsibility that rests with a U.S. attorney.

    “The prosecutor has more control over life, liberty, and reputation than any other person in America. His discretion is tremendous,” said Jackson, who went on to serve as one of the Supreme Court’s most distinguished justices. “… The prosecutor can order arrests, present cases to the grand jury in secret session, and on the basis of his one-sided presentation of the facts, can cause the citizen to be indicted and held for trial.

    “While the prosecutor at his best is one of the most beneficent forces in our society, when he acts from malice or other base motives, he is one of the worst.”

    Obviously, Jackson never knew Chattah or other Trump appointees besmirching the halls of justice. But the late justice, buried at Maple Grove Cemetery in Frewsburg, N.Y., is doubtless turning somersaults in his grave.

    Mark Z. Barabak

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  • Harris glosses over debate at San Francisco fundraiser, highlights Biden victories over ‘liar’ Trump

    Harris glosses over debate at San Francisco fundraiser, highlights Biden victories over ‘liar’ Trump

    SAN FRANCISCO — 

    At a fraught moment in President Biden’s reelection campaign, as he faces calls to drop out of the race due to serious flubs at last week’s debate, Vice President Kamala Harris addressed donors at a private fundraiser Tuesday in San Francisco and focused on the election as a choice between civil liberties and dictatorship.

    “Let’s just deal with the elephant in the room. There are actually two: One is the debate, and the other is Trump,” Harris said to light laughter from a group of about 35 supporters at the Nob Hill condo of real estate executive Susan Lowenberg, in a high-rise building overlooking the city and bay.

    “The debate, as the president said, [was] not his finest hour. We all know that,” Harris told the room. But the outcome of the election, she added, “cannot be determined by one day in June.”

    “It is still the fact that the stakes are so high in this election. It is still the fact that the race is close. It is still the fact that there is a profound contrast on the two sides of the split screen in terms of who stands for what and what each has accomplished,” she said. “And it’s still true that Trump is a liar.”

    Her appearance at the San Francisco fundraiser came the same day Trump’s campaign reported raising $331 million compared with Biden’s $264 million during the second quarter of this year, eliminating the cash advantage Biden previously had over Trump.

    “President Trump’s campaign fundraising operation is thriving day after day and month after month,” the Republican’s top campaign advisors, Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles, said in a statement. “This fundraising momentum is likely to grow even more as we head into a world-class convention and see the Democrats continue their circular firing squad in the aftermath of Biden’s debate collapse.”

    Harris didn’t say anything further about Biden’s debate performance while a Times reporter was present at Tuesday’s private fundraiser.

    Elizabeth Ashford, a Democratic strategist who served as Harris’ chief of staff during her tenure as California’s attorney general, applauded Harris’ focus in recent days on delivering a crisp, clear message to an anxious American electorate. Harris’ job, Ashford said, is to focus on the administration’s accomplishments, and to demonstrate to voters — without actually saying it — that she can step in if necessary to effectively lead the nation.

    “That is where I would be singularly focused,” Ashford said. “One of Kamala’s areas of growth has been to be really confident in how she communicates. And this is that moment.”

    A new CNN poll indicates some 75% of voters think Democrats would have a better shot at keeping the White House if they swapped Biden out for someone new. The poll also showed nearly as much support for Harris as for Trump in a hypothetical matchup — with 47% of registered voters surveyed nationwide saying they would support Trump and 45% saying they would vote for Harris. The same poll indicated the difference between the current likely candidates was larger, with 49% backing Trump and 43% favoring Biden.

    At the fundraiser Tuesday, Harris seemed comfortable and relaxed in a room full of longtime donors and friends stretching back to her start in San Francisco politics as district attorney 20 years ago.

    Harris touted the administration’s policy accomplishments, such as capping the price of insulin for seniors on Medicare and erasing student loan debt for millions of borrowers. She highlighted the White House’s commitment to mitigating climate change through investments in green energy, and its support for reproductive freedoms and other rights for women and marginalized communities.

    “There is an awareness among the American people that there is a full-on attack — an intentional attack — against hard-fought, hard-won freedoms and liberties,” she said.

    Those stakes became “even higher” with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on Monday that gave Trump — and possibly future presidents — legal immunity from criminal charges stemming from official actions while in office, Harris said.

    “And let’s not forget, Donald Trump has openly said he admires dictators and intends to be ‘a dictator on Day One,’” Harris said. “We gotta fight, and we know how to fight.”

    Hannah Wiley

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  • WTF Fun Fact 13750 – Tollund Man

    WTF Fun Fact 13750 – Tollund Man

    Have you heard of Tollund Man, the ancient man who caused a 1950s woman to call the police?

    Imagine a family cutting peat in a Danish bog and stumbling upon what they believe is a recent murder victim. This isn’t the plot of a Scandinavian noir but a real event that unfolded in May 1950, when the Højgaard family made a chilling discovery that turned out to be a window into ancient rituals.

    A Grisly Discovery in the Peat Bog

    It all began on a typical day in the bog near the tiny community of Tollund, Denmark. While working, Grethe Højgaard suspected something unusual hidden in the peat. Ignoring the initial skepticism from her family, she dug through the mud until her fingers brushed against something unexpectedly human. It was the well-preserved remains of a man. This discovery prompted an immediate call to the police, under the grim assumption that they had unearthed a murder victim.

    Upon their arrival, the police quickly surmised that this was no ordinary crime scene. The body was well-preserved, with facial features and stubble still visible, suggesting a historical rather than a contemporary origin. This ancient man would soon become “Tollund Man.” But this was not just another cold case. He was a peek into the Iron Age, dressed only in a cap and a belt. A leather noose still wrapped around his neck.

    Tollund Man: Sacrifice or Punishment?

    Investigators and archaeologists took over, transporting Tollund Man’s body to Copenhagen’s National Museum for further examination. It became clear that someone (or a group) had hanged him. But not from a crime of passion or retribution, but likely as a ritualistic sacrifice. The careful placement of his body in the bog, curled up and seemingly at peace, supported the theory of a ceremonial offering rather than an execution.

    Tollund Man was not the only enigmatic figure to emerge from these Danish bogs. Just 12 years earlier, another bog body, dubbed the Elling Woman, was discovered nearby, also hanged. Her elaborate braids and sheepskin cape hinted at similar ritualistic undertones. These findings, coupled with a third body found in close proximity, suggested a tradition of ritual sacrifice during the Iron Age in this region.

    The Science Behind the Preservation of Tollund Man

    What makes these bogs remarkable archaeological sites is their ability to preserve human remains for millennia. The acidic water, low oxygen levels, and cool temperatures slow decomposition dramatically, allowing us to see into the past with astonishing clarity. The sphagnum moss plays a crucial role, creating a natural mummification process that leaves skin leathered but intact, and facial expressions eerily preserved.

    The Last Days of Tollund Man

    Detailed examinations provided more clues about Tollund Man’s final hours. His last meal was simple yet revealing—a porridge of barley and flax, suggesting a humble existence. The absence of violence, apart from the hanging itself and the arranged posture in death, further emphasized the likelihood of a sacrificial ritual rather than a punitive act.

    The Bog’s Role Through the Ages

    The bog that cradled Tollund Man for over 2,400 years is more than just a grave; it’s a historical archive. These wetlands were likely considered sacred by the local people, used for rituals that appealed to the gods during harsh winters or as thanksgiving when spring arrived. Simultaneously, these bogs served practical purposes, providing peat for fuel—a practice that persisted into modern times, as evidenced by the Højgaard family’s peat cutting.

    Today, visitors to the Silkeborg Museum can gaze upon a reconstruction of Tollund Man, his original head attached to a carefully crafted replica of his body. This display continues to captivate and educate, providing a tangible connection to Denmark’s distant past.

    — WTF fun facts

    Source: “There’s Something Strange Here” – Tollund Man, Grethe, and Death in a Danish Bog” — Psychopomp

    WTF

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  • WTF Fun Fact 13754 – Why Does Beer Taste Better Cold?

    WTF Fun Fact 13754 – Why Does Beer Taste Better Cold?

    Beer lovers agree: a cold beer tastes better. But why? Let’s explore the science behind why chilling beer improves its taste. It turns out that temperature plays a crucial role in how we perceive flavors and aromas.

    The Science of Temperature and Beer Taste

    Our taste buds react differently to various temperatures. Cold temperatures numb the taste buds slightly. This numbing effect can dull strong, bitter flavors and highlight more subtle, refreshing notes. Many beers, especially lagers and pilsners, benefit from this cooling effect. They taste crisp and clean when served cold.

    Warm beer, on the other hand, can be overwhelming. Warmer temperatures amplify the beer’s bitterness and alcohol content. This can make the beer taste too intense and less enjoyable. A study published in the “Journal of Sensory Studies” confirms that people prefer the taste of beer served at lower temperatures​ (KnowBC)​.

    Cold Beer and Carbonation

    Carbonation also plays a big role in the taste of beer. Cold temperatures help maintain the beer’s carbonation. This keeps the beer lively and bubbly. Warm beer loses its carbonation quickly, making it taste flat. The fizz in a cold beer enhances the drinking experience, adding a refreshing burst with each sip.

    Carbon dioxide, the gas that carbonates beer, dissolves better in cold liquids. This means that cold beer holds onto its bubbles longer. The bubbles carry the beer’s aromas to your nose, enhancing the overall flavor. A well-carbonated, cold beer can be a delight to the senses.

    Let’s face it: a cold beer is refreshing. There’s nothing like a cold drink to quench your thirst on a hot day. The coldness itself is a big part of why beer tastes better chilled. It cools you down and feels satisfying to drink. This is not just psychological; the cold temperature actually refreshes your body.

    When you’re hot, your body craves something cool. A cold beer meets this need perfectly. The cooling sensation enhances the pleasure of drinking it. This refreshing quality is why beers like lagers, which are meant to be drunk cold, are so popular in hot climates.

    Flavor Suppression and Enhancement

    Different beers taste best at different temperatures. Light beers like lagers and pilsners taste best very cold. The cold temperature suppresses any off-flavors and enhances the beer’s crispness. This makes the beer taste cleaner and more refreshing.

    Darker beers like stouts and porters can be enjoyed at warmer temperatures. These beers have complex flavors that come out better when they’re not too cold. Serving them slightly warmer allows the flavors to open up. However, even these beers can taste unpleasant if they get too warm.

    The Psychological Element of How Beer Tastes

    There’s also a psychological aspect to consider. People associate cold beer with relaxation and pleasure. Advertisements often show people enjoying an ice-cold beer in a fun setting. This creates a strong mental link between cold beer and enjoyment. So, when you drink a cold beer, your brain is already primed to enjoy it more.

    This psychological factor can influence your taste perception. You might genuinely think cold beer tastes better because of the positive associations you have with it. It’s a classic case of expectation affecting experience.

    Practical Tips for the Best Beer Taste

    To enjoy beer at its best, follow these practical tips:

    1. Store Beer Properly: Keep beer in the fridge, ideally between 35-40°F (1.6-4.4°C). This keeps it cold without freezing it.
    2. Use a Frosty Glass: Serve beer in a chilled glass. This helps maintain the cold temperature longer.
    3. Know Your Beer: Different beers have different ideal temperatures. Lagers and pilsners taste best very cold. Ales and stouts can be served slightly warmer.

    — WTF fun facts

    Source: “Scientists Explain Why Beer Tastes Better Cold” – Food & Wine

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  • WTF Fun Fact 13753 – Mayans Used Chocolate as Currency

    WTF Fun Fact 13753 – Mayans Used Chocolate as Currency

    The Mayans had an intriguing and unique use for chocolate. They didn’t just drink it; they used it as money. Yes, you read that right—chocolate was currency. The Maya civilization, which thrived in Mesoamerica, innovatively integrated chocolate into their economy. Let’s dive into how this delicious system worked.

    Chocolate in the Mayan Economy

    The Mayans were among the first to cultivate cacao trees. They valued cacao beans highly. These beans were not just food; they were wealth. Cacao beans became a standardized form of currency. People used them to buy goods and pay for services. Archaeological evidence shows that Mayans traded cacao beans for items like food, clothes, and tools.

    Imagine going to the market and buying groceries with chocolate beans. This was everyday life for the Mayans. The beans were lightweight, portable, and valuable. This made them an ideal currency for trade and commerce.

    The Value of Cacao Beans to the Mayans

    Cacao beans had a set value. A single bean could buy a tamale, a small meal. Ten beans could get you a rabbit. The Mayans even paid taxes with cacao beans. This system worked because cacao trees thrived in the region. The beans were always in supply but still valuable enough to function as money.

    Not everyone had access to cacao trees, though. This made cacao beans even more precious. The beans became a symbol of wealth and power. Elite Mayans often consumed chocolate drinks as a luxury. This further elevated the status of cacao beans in their society.

    The Cultural Significance of Chocolate

    Chocolate had deep cultural significance for the Mayans. They believed cacao had divine properties. Mayan mythology stated that cacao was a gift from the gods. Consuming it was a spiritual act. Chocolate drinks were part of religious rituals and ceremonies. Priests and nobles drank it during sacred events.

    This cultural importance added another layer to cacao’s value. It wasn’t just a commodity; it was sacred. The spiritual aspect of cacao enhanced its worth as currency. People revered it not just for its taste but for its connection to the divine.

    How Cacao Beans Became Money

    The transition from food to currency was practical. The beans were small, durable, and easy to count. They didn’t spoil quickly, making them reliable for long-term storage. The Mayans stored cacao beans in large quantities, ensuring they had a stable currency.

    Markets and trade centers used cacao beans as the standard for transactions. This consistency helped the economy run smoothly. It wasn’t just local trade; cacao beans facilitated regional commerce too. The beans crossed borders, making them a widespread form of money.

    The End of Cacao Currency

    The use of cacao as currency faded with the arrival of the Spanish. The Spanish conquest disrupted Mayan society and economy. They introduced new forms of currency, such as coins and paper money. However, cacao beans remained valuable for a while. The Spanish even adopted chocolate drinks from the Mayans, spreading its popularity in Europe.

    The decline of cacao currency marked the end of an era. Yet, the legacy of chocolate lives on. Today, we enjoy chocolate in various forms. Few people know its rich history as money. The Mayans’ innovative use of cacao beans showcases their ingenuity and cultural depth.

    The Legacy of the Mayans & Chocolate

    Cacao remains a significant crop in regions once inhabited by the Mayans. Modern-day countries like Mexico and Guatemala continue to grow cacao. The cultural and economic impact of cacao endures. Farmers today still value the beans, though for different reasons.

    — WTF fun facts

    Source: “The Maya civilization used chocolate as money” — Science

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  • WTF Fun Fact 13752 – Top of the Totem Pole

    WTF Fun Fact 13752 – Top of the Totem Pole

    Many people think the top of the totem pole is the most important. This belief is flat-out wrong. The bottom is often the most significant. Understanding this is crucial to appreciating totem poles properly. Let’s explore why people misunderstand totem poles and why the bottom matters more.

    Totem poles come from Indigenous cultures in the Pacific Northwest. They are intricate carvings representing family crests, legends, or important events. These tall structures tell stories, and each figure on the pole has a purpose. People often believe the figure at the top holds the most importance. However, this is a big misconception.

    The top figure is often the least important. Carvers place the most significant figures at the bottom. This positioning keeps them closer to the people who view the pole. The bottom figures usually represent the family’s main totems or the most powerful animals and spirits. This placement ensures they receive the most attention and respect.

    Bottom Figures: The Real MVPs

    Consider the Haida totem poles. The Haida are a Native American tribe from the Pacific Northwest. Haida poles often feature the most crucial figures at the base. For example, the “Wasgo” or sea-wolf appears at the bottom. The sea-wolf symbolizes strength and bravery. Placing it at the bottom highlights its importance to the Haida people.

    The Tlingit people also follow this practice. The Tlingit often carve their most important clan crests at the bottom. A bear or raven at the base signifies respect and honor. This positioning shows that these animals play a crucial role in their cultural stories and beliefs.

    Another example is the Kwakwaka’wakw totem poles. The Kwakwaka’wakw carve poles that tell family histories. The most critical ancestors or animals are at the bottom. This placement ensures that viewers first see the most important elements of the family’s story.

    Totem Pole Misunderstandings

    Why do people get it wrong? Western culture often values the top position. People assume the highest point signifies the most importance. In many hierarchies, like corporate structures, the top position means power and authority. This mindset leads to the misunderstanding of totem poles.

    Movies and media also perpetuate this myth. Hollywood often shows the top of the totem pole as the prime spot. This depiction misleads people into thinking that the top is the best. Understanding totem poles requires setting aside these assumptions.

    The term “low man on the totem pole” is misleading too. It implies that being at the bottom means less importance. In reality, being at the bottom of a totem pole often means holding great significance. This phrase does a disservice to the true meaning and cultural importance of totem poles.

    Embracing the Correct Perspective

    We need to respect and understand Indigenous cultures better. Recognizing the true structure of totem poles is a start. This knowledge honors the cultural practices and beliefs of the tribes that create these poles.

    Next time you see a totem pole, take a closer look. Start at the bottom and work your way up. Appreciate the figures at the base. They are often the key to understanding the story and significance of the pole. Respect the carvers’ intentions and the cultural meanings behind each figure.

    — WTF fun facts

    Source: “Totem Pole” — The Canadian Encyclopedia

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  • WTF Fun Fact 13751 – Norwegians Read More

    WTF Fun Fact 13751 – Norwegians Read More

    Norwegians love to read. A survey from 2010 highlighted this passion. Reading isn’t just a holiday activity; it’s a year-round habit. During Easter, many Norwegians dive into murder mysteries. They enjoy detective stories and what they call “påskekrim” or Easter crime. Easter in Norway means skiing, family cabins, lamb roasts, oranges, and crime novels. The newspaper Aftenposten reported this.

    A study called Bokundersøkelsen 2010 showed impressive reading statistics. It was conducted by Norway’s publishers’ and book dealers’ associations. The study revealed that 90 percent of Norwegian men and 97 percent of Norwegian women read at least one book last year. Almost half of the women read more than ten books in a year. Norwegians don’t just read crime fiction. Literature, biographies, and political books also sell well. The local bookstores have a vast selection.

    A Nation of Avid Readers

    The survey described an “avid reader” as someone who reads more than 30 books a year. Ten percent of Norwegian men and 16 percent of Norwegian women fit this description. Books in Norway are not cheap. A new hard-bound book can cost over NOK 400, which is nearly USD 70. Despite the cost, Norwegians still buy and read many books.

    Not only do Norwegians read a lot, but they also give books as gifts. When choosing a gift, they are most likely to pick a book. Nearly 80 percent of parents read aloud to their children at least three times a week. Books are the most common gift for children. Norwegians grow up with books. Randi Øgrey of the book dealers’ organization Bokhandlerforeningen told Aftenposten, “The most important thing is that we top the charts internationally with our reading.”

    Norway has 640 bookstores. They have book clubs, and books are even sold in grocery stores. Øgrey noted that fewer people now think books are expensive. The rise of e-books and other media doesn’t worry her. She told Dagens Næringsliv (DN), “Our goal is to maintain this high level, no matter what the format.”

    Reading: A Cultural Staple for Norwegians

    The passion for reading in Norway isn’t a new trend. It’s deeply ingrained in their culture. The tradition of reading aloud to children fosters a lifelong love for books. This practice helps maintain high literacy rates and encourages reading as a leisure activity.

    The survey also highlighted the diversity in reading preferences. While crime fiction remains popular, Norwegians also indulge in a wide range of genres. This includes contemporary literature, historical biographies, and political essays. Bookstores reflect this diversity with their vast and varied collections.

    Norwegian readers also benefit from a strong network of libraries. These libraries provide access to books that might otherwise be too expensive for some. They play a crucial role in maintaining the nation’s high reading levels. The support for libraries underscores the value placed on reading and education in Norwegian society.

    The Future of Reading in Norway

    Looking ahead, the challenge for Norway is to maintain its high reading levels in the digital age. The rise of electronic books and the internet has changed how people consume content. However, Norway’s reading culture appears resilient. The commitment to reading is evident in the continued high sales of physical books and the popularity of bookstores.

    Efforts to promote reading among the younger generation are crucial. Programs encouraging children to read from an early age will help sustain the reading culture. Schools and parents play a vital role in these efforts. By fostering a love for books early on, Norway can ensure that future generations continue to be avid readers.

    — WTF fun facts

    Source: “Norwegians tops in reading” — Norway News in English

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  • WTF Fun Fact 13748 – The Klondike Big Inch Land Co.

    WTF Fun Fact 13748 – The Klondike Big Inch Land Co.

    Have you heard of the Klondike Big Inch Land Co.? It all goes back to oats and land deeds, naturally.

    This story starts with a promotional stunt by Quaker Oats in the 1950s that turned into an unexpected collector’s item, worth more today than anyone could have guessed back when “Challenge of the Yukon” echoed in the living rooms across America.

    Quaker Oats’ Land Rush Stunt

    Back in 1954, in a promotional stunt tied to the radio show “Challenge of the Yukon,” Quaker Oats purchased 19.11 acres of land in the Yukon Territory, the heart of the Klondike Gold Rush region. They cleverly subdivided this acreage into 21 million tiny, one-square-inch plots. Each plot was represented by an official-looking deed. These were created by the Klondike Big Inch Land Co., a company Quaker Oats had established for this purpose.

    These miniature deeds were placed inside boxes of Puffed Wheat and Puffed Rice. The campaign was an instant hit. It captured the imaginations of Americans who were thrilled at the notion of owning a piece of the fabled Klondike. Some fans, myself included, collected hundreds of these deeds, aiming to amass a larger piece of the plot.

    The Deeds of the Klondike Big Inch Land Co.

    The deeds themselves were works of art: elegant green curlicues bordering cream-colored certificates. Each had a stamp with a unique certificate number and an official-looking red seal. An orange map detailed the location of each plot, adding a touch of authenticity and adventure. They promised ownership in a far-off land, albeit only a square inch.

    However, the reality was less grand. Quaker Oats never intended these deeds to be legal titles to real estate. They didn’t include mineral rights, and the company didn’t register them. That would have been a logistical nightmare because of the number of deeds issued. Essentially, these deeds were novelties, albeit highly detailed ones.

    Despite their questionable legal value, these deeds have become valuable collectibles. Pristine deeds can fetch between $25 and $45 each. This makes the stash of 72 deeds found by a reader potentially worth over $1,800. They represent a unique piece of promotional history, tying back to a time when radio shows were king, and cereal boxes could contain treasures.

    The promotion ended, and in 1965, Quaker Oats dissolved the Klondike Big Inch Land Co. The land reverted back to Canada. PepsiCo absorbed Quaker Oats itself in PepsiCo in 2001, but the legend of the Klondike Big Inch lives on among collectors and enthusiasts.

    Lessons from a Klondike Big Inch

    This episode serves as a fascinating case study in marketing, novelty, and the human penchant for collecting. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of understanding what one truly owns. For those holding these deeds, they own a piece of history, if not a piece of the land.

    As a footnote, if you find yourself in possession of such curiosities, consider their historical and collectible value before dismissing them as mere novelties.

    — WTF fun facts

    Source: “Taking Stock: Decades-old deed to one square inch of Canada’s Yukon Territory has some value” — The Oklahoman

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  • WTF Fun Fact 13747 – Humans Warm up to Tweezer Hands

    WTF Fun Fact 13747 – Humans Warm up to Tweezer Hands

    Apparently, tweezer hands can feel more like part of one’s body than an actual hand.

    According to recent research, when it comes to bionic prosthetics, simpler might just be better. A study reveals that people can feel as connected to tweezer-like tools as they do to prosthetic hands that mimic human anatomy—and sometimes even more so.

    Rethinking Prosthetics: Function Over Form

    At Sapienza University of Rome, cognitive neuroscientist Ottavia Maddaluno and her team are using virtual reality to explore how humans relate to different kinds of prosthetic tools. Their findings may turn some heads—or at least twist some wrists.

    The researchers equipped participants with two types of virtual appendages: a realistic human hand and a bionic tool resembling a large pair of tweezers. Through a series of virtual reality tests, they assessed how well subjects could adapt to using these tools in a simulated environment.

    Pop Goes the Bubble: Testing Tweezer Hands

    Participants engaged in a seemingly simple task: popping virtual bubbles of specific colors. It turned out that those using the tweezer hands completed the task faster and with greater accuracy than those using the virtual human hands. This initial test suggested that the tweezer hands were not only embraced by the participants’ brains but were potentially more effective for certain tasks.

    To probe deeper into the subconscious acceptance of these tools, the team employed the cross-modal congruency task. This involved simultaneous tactile vibrations on participants’ fingertips and visual stimuli on the virtual reality screen. The goal was to see how distracted participants were by visual stimuli that did or did not align with the tactile input.

    The results were enlightening. Participants generally performed better when the tactile and visual stimuli matched, indicating a strong sense of embodiment for both the tweezer and human hands. However, the tweezer hands showed a more pronounced difference between matched and mismatched trials, suggesting a potentially deeper sense of embodiment.

    Simplicity Wins: Why Tweezer Hands Triumph

    Maddaluno hypothesizes that the simplicity of the tweezer hands might make it easier for the brain to integrate as part of the body. Unlike the more complex human hand, the straightforward function and design of the tweezers could reduce cognitive load, allowing for quicker acceptance and utilization.

    This theory ties into the uncanny valley hypothesis, where things that are eerily similar to human beings but not quite perfect can cause discomfort or unease. The too-real virtual hands might have fallen into this unsettling category, while the clearly non-human tweezers did not.

    Practical Applications: The Future of Prosthetics

    These insights are not just academic. They have practical implications for the design of prosthetics and robotic tools. If simpler, non-human-like tools can be more readily integrated into a person’s sense of self; they might offer a more effective and acceptable solution for those in need of prosthetic limbs.

    Maddaluno’s team is now looking to apply these findings to real-world scenarios, particularly for individuals who have lost limbs. The ultimate goal is to develop prosthetic solutions that are not only functional but also seamlessly integrated into the user’s body image and sense of self.

    — WTF fun facts

    Source: “People feel more connected to ‘tweezer-like’ bionic tools that don’t resemble human hands” — ScienceDaily

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  • Baby mountain lion roaming Thousand Oaks? Have no fear, officials say: It’s a house cat

    Baby mountain lion roaming Thousand Oaks? Have no fear, officials say: It’s a house cat

    Neighbors of the Los Padres trail in Ventura County were convinced they’d spotted a baby mountain lion on their security cameras this month.

    But it was not a small cougar. It was a big house cat, California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials told The Times on Tuesday.

    The McGee family of Thousand Oaks told KTLA they’d spotted a cougar cub on their property after reviewing security footage from motion-activated cameras. Other neighbors were fearful for their pets, the news channel reported.

    But Tim Daly, public information officer for Fish and Wildlife’s South Coast and Inland Desert regions, said the agency investigated the claim and found that the animal in question was in fact a large domestic cat.

    “One of our biologists saw the story after it appeared and made sure this morning the rest of us were aware,” he said.

    The McGees did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

    It’s not the first time California residents have mistaken a tame tabby for a ferocious wildcat.

    In March, the South San Francisco Police Department posted Ring camera footage of a purported mountain lion to its Facebook page, following reports that the animal was prowling a residential neighborhood.

    An update from the department clarified that the animal was in fact a domestic cat. One resident replied to the post with a picture of the pussycat asleep on a wicker chair between two smiling children.

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  • WTF Fun Fact 13746 – More Parking Lots Than Housing

    WTF Fun Fact 13746 – More Parking Lots Than Housing

    Oddly enough, some cities have gone to such great lengths to accommodate cars that they now have more parking lots than housing!

    The city landscape across America reveals a startling fact: in many places, there’s more room for cars than for people. From Seattle to Des Moines, the concrete sprawl of these lots often surpasses the space set aside for housing. This phenomenon isn’t just an urban planner’s nightmare; it’s a real puzzle for anyone trying to find a vibrant city life amidst the vast concrete expanses.

    A Concrete Jungle Where There’s More Parking Than Housing

    Imagine a city where cars have more room to rest than people do to live. This isn’t a futuristic dystopia; it’s the reality in several U.S. cities where parking lots devour city centers. It turns out we have not only sacrificed urban vitality at the altar of convenience but also transformed downtowns into mere waypoints rather than destinations.

    In cities like Seattle, the ratio of parking spaces to housing units is staggering. Seattle boasts about 30 spaces for every acre, overwhelming the number of residential units five to one. Down in Des Moines, the scenario gets more dire with a parking-to-housing ratio of 20 to 1 per acre. These cities, famed for their ever-rising skyscrapers, surprisingly cater more to vehicles than to residents.

    The Parking Lot Takeover

    The sprawl gets absurd when you head to places like Arlington, Texas, or Detroit, Michigan—cities where the car is king and the pedestrian is a pauper. Arlington’s city center dedicates a whopping 39% of its land to parking. Detroit, the famed Motor City, isn’t far behind, dedicating about a third of its downtown to car spaces. These areas have become so optimized for cars that finding anything else to do can feel like a scavenger hunt.

    What’s the big deal, you might ask? Beyond the obvious urban blight, this sea of parking has profound implications. City centers that prioritize parking over accessibility tend to lack the density that makes urban areas vibrant and walkable. The result? Cities that are easy to drive to but not worth staying in. Moreover, this excess of concrete slabs drives up real estate prices, making urban housing scarcer and more expensive.

    A Shift Toward More Livable Cities

    Despite these challenges, not all cities have succumbed to the parking plague. Washington, D.C., and San Francisco are leading by example, with only 4% and 3% of their downtown areas devoted to public parking, respectively. New York City tops the list with a mere 0.4% of midtown Manhattan given over to parking spaces.

    This trend hints at a future where cities reclaim space from cars for people. As more Americans opt out of driving—thanks to the rise of ride-sharing, public transit improvements, and perhaps soon, autonomous vehicles—the demand for vast parking lots is set to decrease. This shift presents a golden opportunity for cities to transform car lots into parks, housing, and vibrant public spaces that foster community rather than car storage.

    — WTF fun facts

    Source: “These U.S. Cities Have More Parking Lots Than Housing” — Atlas Obscura

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  • WTF Fun Fact 13745 – Can Music Make Food Taste Better?

    WTF Fun Fact 13745 – Can Music Make Food Taste Better?

    Can music make your food taste better?

    Imagine savoring a plate of spaghetti while Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” plays softly in the background. Now, could Vivaldi be doing more than just setting the mood? Could it actually make your spaghetti taste better?

    Research and some intriguing culinary experiments suggest music might just be the unexpected seasoning we’ve overlooked.

    Sonic Seasoning

    It’s no secret that a good playlist can enhance a party or a workout, but recent studies show that what you listen to while eating can influence how you perceive flavors. This concept, known as “sonic seasoning,” explores how different sounds can complement or enhance the taste of food. For instance, high pitches might make desserts taste sweeter, while deeper tones could make your steak seem richer.

    Back in 2010, a groundbreaking study at Oxford University mapped tastes to musical elements. Researchers found that sweet and sour tastes were often associated with higher pitches, while umami and bitter tastes matched lower ones. Not only that, but certain instruments seemed to evoke specific flavors—brass instruments brought out bitterness, whereas pianos highlighted sweetness.

    Culinary Scores to Make Food Taste Better

    The idea of combining music with eating isn’t new. Medieval banquets sometimes featured live music alongside feasts, enhancing the sensory experience of dining. Fast forward to the 20th century, the Italian Futurists infused their meals with both music and bizarre theatrics, like their “polyrhythmic salad,” which was eaten while music played from a box turned by a crank.

    Even the zany minds behind The Muppet Christmas Carol joked about the notion of “singing food,” a nod to dishes that literally perform as you eat them. And while it sounds like a punchline from a Muppet, the concept has its roots in real historical dining practices where food and entertainment were often intertwined.

    Do Beats Bring Out the Flavors?

    To see if there’s truth to the science, some food companies are already experimenting with sonic pairings. Barilla, for instance, teamed up with composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer to create the “Al Bronzo Soundtrack Experience.” This is aimed at enhancing the dining experience of specific pasta dishes through tailored musical tracks.

    Imagine this: you’re about to fork into some rigatoni. According to Barilla, if you’re listening to twinkling bells and vocal accents, it might just make the cherry tomatoes in your dish taste sweeter and the bacon smokier. It’s a bold claim but one that invites foodies and skeptics alike to put it to the test.

    The link between sound and taste might also tie into synesthesia. This is where the stimulation of one sense leads to involuntary experiences in another. Some synesthetes report tasting flavors when they hear certain sounds—a phenomenon that could explain why sonic seasoning might work.

    Could it be that we all have a touch of synesthesia that allows us to experience more flavorful meals through the right playlist?

    — WTF fun facts

    Source: “Can Music Make Your Food Taste Better?” — Atlas Obscura

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  • WTF Fun Fact 13744 – The Capture of Antioch

    WTF Fun Fact 13744 – The Capture of Antioch

    In the annals of ancient military campaigns, few are as audacious as Khosrow I’s capture of Antioch in 540 AD. Khosrow, the formidable ruler of the Sasanian Empire, didn’t just lead battles; he orchestrated them with the precision of a chess master.

    His strategic acumen came to the forefront during the siege and subsequent capture of Antioch, one of the most significant cities of the Byzantine Empire at the time.

    Setting the Stage for the Siege of Antioch

    Antioch was not just any city. Located on the Orontes River, it was a jewel of the Byzantine Empire, a bustling metropolis known for its grandeur and as a hub of commerce and culture. The idea of capturing such a city was audacious, but Khosrow was not one to shy away from a challenge.

    The Sasanian king kicked off his campaign with a well-planned series of maneuvers that caught the Byzantines off guard. His approach was not just about brute force; it was about making a statement. Khosrow wanted to showcase his empire’s might and his capability as a leader.

    The Siege That Shook an Empire

    When Khosrow’s troops laid siege to Antioch, it was more than just a military blockade. They encircled the city, cutting off all supply lines, and employed a variety of siege tactics that were advanced for the time. The Sasanians used siege towers and battering rams, but also psychological warfare, sowing fear among the city’s defenders.

    Despite the city’s strong walls and determined defenders, the relentless siege tactics and the promise of no mercy should resistance continue led to a weakening of the city’s resolve. After a short, albeit intense siege, Antioch fell into Khosrow’s hands. It was a stunning victory that echoed across continents.

    Antioch Aftermath

    Khosrow’s capture of Antioch was not merely about expanding territory. After taking the city, Khosrow did something unusual: he relocated its population to a new city near his capital of Ctesiphon, which he named Weh Antiok Khosrow, meaning “Khasrow’s Better Antioch.”

    This new settlement was a replica of Antioch, complete with similar architectural styles and city planning. This act was a clear message to both his allies and enemies about his power and capability to not just conquer but also to rebuild and repopulate.

    Strategic Brilliance and Its Long-term Impact

    The capture of Antioch had far-reaching effects. It significantly weakened Byzantine influence in the region and demonstrated the Sasanian capability to strike at the heart of a powerful empire.

    The relocation of Antioch’s citizens was a masterstroke in cultural strategy, as it helped to assimilate different peoples into the Sasanian culture, fostering loyalty to Khosrow.

    Moreover, this victory and the subsequent treatment of the captured city had long-lasting implications for Byzantine-Sasanian relations. It set the stage for further conflicts but also for periods of peace when mutual respect dictated diplomacy.

    — WTF fun facts

    Source: “Khosrow I” — Wikipedia

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  • WTF Fun Fact 13743 – Parachuting Beavers

    WTF Fun Fact 13743 – Parachuting Beavers

    Nope – it’s not a juvenile joke – there really is a story about parachuting beavers. 76 of them, to be exact.

    More than seven decades ago, Idaho found itself with a peculiar problem involving beavers too accustomed to urban life. These beavers, having become a nuisance in the growing residential areas, needed new homes. The solution? Parachute them into the wilderness. Yes, you read that correctly: parachuting beavers.

    Elmo Heter: The Man with the Plan

    Elmo Heter, an officer with Idaho Fish and Game, faced the challenge of relocating beavers from populated areas like McCall, near Payette Lake, to the remote Chamberlain Basin. His ingenious plan involved some old parachutes left over from World War II and a healthy dose of innovation.

    Heter knew that transporting beavers by land was fraught with challenges. Horses and mules tended to get spooked by the critters, and driving them through rugged terrain was costly and complex. So, he looked to the skies for an answer.

    Dropping Beavers by Plane

    Heter devised a method using surplus military parachutes to air-drop beavers into their new wilderness homes. The first task was creating a safe container for the beavers. Initial attempts with woven willow boxes were scrapped when it became apparent that the beavers might chew their way out mid-flight or cause havoc on the plane.

    Thus, Heter designed a wooden box that would open upon impact with the ground. To test this innovative container, he chose a plucky male beaver named Geronimo as his first test pilot. Geronimo endured multiple drops to ensure the safety and efficacy of this method.

    The Pioneer Parachuting Beaver

    Heter dropped Geronimo repeatedly to test the resilience of the box and the beaver’s tolerance. Remarkably, Geronimo adapted well to his role. After numerous trials, he seemed almost eager to get back into his box for another drop. Heter’s plan was proving viable, and soon, it was time to scale up.

    Geronimo’s final test flight included a one-way ticket to the Chamberlain Basin, where he joined three female beavers, establishing a new colony in what would become a thriving ecosystem. This land is now part of the protected Frank Church Wilderness.

    The Legacy of the Parachuting Beavers

    In total, 76 beavers were air-dropped into the wilderness. All but one survived the journey, and they quickly set about doing what beavers do best: building dams and creating habitats that benefit the entire ecosystem. This area is now part of the largest protected roadless forest in the lower 48 states.

    The operation, initially seen as a quirky solution, turned out to be a remarkable success, showing that sometimes unconventional problems require unconventional solutions. The savings in manpower and reduction in beaver mortality proved that sometimes, the sky really is the limit.

    Why You Won’t See Parachuting Beavers Today

    Despite its success, the days of parachuting beavers have passed. Nowadays, the approach to problematic beavers is more about coexistence and less about relocation. The pioneering days of the 1940s, when men like Elmo Heter looked to parachutes to solve ecological challenges, are long gone. Yet, the descendants of those aerial adventurers likely still live on in the Frank Church Wilderness, a testament to one of the most unusual wildlife management efforts ever undertaken.

    So, next time you spot a beaver in Idaho, remember that it might just be the descendant of a brave pioneer who once took an unexpected flight into history.

    — WTF fun facts

    Source: “Parachuting beavers into Idaho’s wilderness? Yes, it really happened” — Boise State Public Radio

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  • WTF Fun Fact 13742 – Humming While Holding Your Nose

    WTF Fun Fact 13742 – Humming While Holding Your Nose

    Ever tried humming while holding your nose? Spoiler alert: it doesn’t work, and here’s why.

    The Mechanics of Humming While Holding Your Nose

    Humming involves sound produced by vocal fold vibrations in your throat. Normally, when you hum, the sound exits through your nose. Yes, your nose is more than just a place to hang glasses or catch a cold; it’s a vital part of your vocal instrument.

    When you hum, your mouth stays closed, so the only exit route for the air is through your nasal passages. This airflow through the nose helps to amplify and modify the sound, creating that familiar humming tone.

    What Happens When Try Humming While Holding Your Nose

    So, what goes down when you clamp shut your nostrils? Simply put, you block the only air escape route. When your nose is pinched shut, the air that vibrates in your vocal cords can’t escape your body easily. This disruption stops the sound from developing into a hum.

    Trying to hum with your nose closed might make you feel a bit silly as you realize no sound comes out. Instead, you might just hear a muffled, nasal sound or nothing at all. It turns out that your body can’t outsmart the basics of sound physics, no matter how hard you try.

    A Dive into the Science of Sound

    Humming is a demonstration of sound waves being carried through air. When these waves have a clear path to travel, you hear the hum loud and clear. Block that path, and the sound waves get stifled. This is basic physics in action, showing how sound transmission needs a medium (like air) to travel effectively.

    When you hold your nose and attempt to hum, you’re essentially trapping the sound waves in your head. Since they can’t escape or be properly projected, the humming just doesn’t happen.

    Fun Experiments and Party Tricks

    Next time you’re at a party and run out of small talk, why not pull out the “try to hum with your nose pinched” challenge? It’s a fun, quirky trick that can break the ice and spark a conversation about the weird and wonderful ways our bodies work.

    Humming with your nose pinched is one of those things that sounds like it might be possible until you actually try it. It’s a neat demonstration of how interconnected our bodily functions are—even something as simple as humming involves multiple parts of our respiratory and vocal systems.

    — WTF fun facts

    Source: “WHY IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO HUM WHEN HOLDING YOUR NOSE” — Grunge

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  • WTF Fun Fact 13741 – It’s Official: Tacos are Sandwiches

    WTF Fun Fact 13741 – It’s Official: Tacos are Sandwiches

    An Indiana judge has recently decreed that tacos are sandwiches. And so are burritos. Well, at least they’re “Mexican-style sandwiches.”

    This quirky ruling has effectively seasoned the path for a new culinary venture in Fort Wayne, Indiana, sparking both chuckles and relief in the local food scene.

    The Case That Stirred the Pot

    The story begins with Martin Quintana, a 53-year-old restaurateur eager to open his second location of The Famous Taco. Positioned about 120 miles northeast of Indianapolis, Fort Wayne seemed ripe for a new eatery. However, Quintana’s journey took a detour into the legal world due to a rather specific zoning issue.

    His property, slated for development, was restricted by a prior agreement to house only a “sandwich bar-style restaurant” specializing in “made-to-order” or “subway-style” sandwiches. When Quintana proposed his taco and burrito-focused menu, the nearby Covington Creek Association raised eyebrows, suggesting the concept didn’t sandwich into the existing terms.

    A Tasty Verdict that Tacos are Sandwiches

    Undeterred, Quintana took his case to the Fort Wayne Plan Commission in December 2022, seeking an amendment to explicitly include his Mexican-style offerings under the umbrella of permissible business models. The Plan Commission declined, pushing Quintana to challenge the decision in court.

    Enter Judge Craig Bobay of Allen Superior Court, who faced the task of untangling this culinary conundrum. In a decision that might make legal and gastronomic history, Judge Bobay ruled that the Plan Commission was correct in denying the amendment—not because Quintana’s proposal was out of line, but because it was unnecessary. The judge found that tacos and burritos, in their essence, could be considered sandwiches. This interpretation opened the door (or perhaps the serving window) for The Famous Taco to proceed under the original agreement.

    A Ruling with Relish

    This verdict brings more than just another dining option to Fort Wayne; it highlights the often humorous intersection of law and everyday life. Judge Bobay’s ruling cuts through formalities to embrace a broader, more inclusive definition of what we can serve under a “sandwich bar-style” label.

    The decision has been a win not just for Quintana, who can now expand his taco empire, but also for lovers of Mexican cuisine who might appreciate the judicial nod to the versatility of their favorite dishes. It seems that in Indiana, at least, the spirit of the law can accommodate a generous helping of culinary creativity.

    What’s Next Now that Tacos are Sandwiches?

    With legal hurdles cleared, Quintana is set to spice up Fort Wayne’s food scene. The new location of The Famous Taco promises a menu that blends traditional Mexican flavors with the convenience of a sandwich bar setup. Residents and visitors can look forward to crafting their Mexican-style “sandwiches” with a variety of fresh, made-to-order ingredients.

    This case may also set a precedent for how we categorize food businesses, not just in Indiana but potentially elsewhere. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, innovation in business can come down to how broadly one interprets a term—or in this case, a menu item.

    — WTF fun facts

    Source: “Indiana judge opens door for new eatery, finding `tacos and burritos are Mexican-style sandwiches’” — AP News

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