Fun Fact of the Day

Day 50

Norton’s Dome is a thought experiment in Newtonian physics where a particle sits atop a specially shaped frictionless dome. According to the laws of motion, the particle can either stay at rest forever or spontaneously start moving at any time without a cause. This breaks the usual expectation of determinism in classical mechanics, where the future is uniquely determined by initial conditions. The dome’s shape leads to a mathematical equation with multiple valid solutions, showing that Newtonian physics can allow indeterminism in idealized cases.

Day 51

Butterflies can retain memories from when they were caterpillars. Scientists found that trained caterpillars avoided certain odors even after becoming adults. Thia indicates that even after thier brain and body have become literal goo, that their memories can survive this amazing transformation.

Day 52

The Waco siege was a 51-day standoff in 1993 between U.S. federal agents and the Branch Davidians, a religious group led by David Koresh, near Waco, Texas. It began when the ATF attempted to raid their compound over suspected weapons violations, resulting in a deadly shootout. The FBI then took over, using tear gas and pressure tactics. On April 19, a fire broke out during a final assault, killing 76 people, including women and children. The event sparked widespread criticism of government overreach and helped fuel anti-government movements in the U.S., including inspiring the Oklahoma City bombing.

Day 53

Operation Mockingbird was a covert CIA program alleged to have begun in the late 1940s to influence media both in the U.S. and abroad. The CIA recruited journalists and placed agents in major news outlets to spread propaganda, shape public opinion, and suppress unfavorable coverage. Though full details remain classified, Church Committee hearings and some declassified documents confirm that journalists were used for intelligence purposes. The program raised serious concerns about press freedom and government manipulation of information. It was reportedly phased out in the 1970s after public scrutiny and growing distrust of intelligence agencies.