Discovering new and interesting facts is always a fun and exciting experience. Whether it’s learning about the composition of paprika or what singers do when they have to pee mid-performance, there’s always something new to discover. This is why I am a regular browser of Reddit’s r/todayilearned, a forum dedicated to sharing “interesting and specific facts about something that you just found out here.”
As 2021 comes to an end, I thought it would be a great idea to share some of the most-upvoted entries from this year on r/todayilearned. These facts are not only intriguing but also serve as a reminder that there is always something new to discover and learn. So, let’s dive into some of the most fascinating facts from this year’s top posts on r/todayilearned.
1) “Anthony Bourdain called Ratatouille ‘simply the best food movie ever made.'”
Credit: u/Giff95
It’s no secret that the late chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain was a big fan of the animated movie Ratatouille. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2011, Bourdain said, “It’s a measure of how deficient Hollywood has been in making an accurate restaurant-food-based film that far and away the best was about an animated rat.” This just goes to show the impact that this heartwarming movie had on Bourdain and many others.
2) “Ken Allen, an orangutan at the San Diego Zoo, became famous for his many successful escapes.”
“He never acted aggressively toward patrons, but would throw rocks at Otis, another orangutan he ‘despised.'”
Credit: u/bnrshrnkr
Ken Allen, the famous orangutan at the San Diego Zoo, was known for his incredible escape skills. After his first escape in 1985, the zookeepers had to build higher walls behind his enclosure’s moat. But even that couldn’t stop Ken from escaping again. He was eventually moved to a single room with a black and white TV, but that didn’t stop him from trying to escape either. It’s safe to say that Ken was a very determined and clever orangutan.
3) “Danny Trejo has a clause in his movie contracts that requires his villainous characters to die by the end of the film.”
“He wants children to learn that crime doesn’t pay.”
Credit: u/Level_Cash2225
Actor Danny Trejo is known for playing tough and intimidating characters in movies. But did you know that he has a clause in his contracts that requires his characters to die by the end of the film? This is because Trejo wants to send a message to children that crime doesn’t pay. It’s a powerful and admirable decision from the actor, and it just goes to show that he is not only a talented actor but also a responsible role model.
4) “After Breaking Bad, many meth manufacturers in real life dyed their product blue.”
Credit: u/SauloJr
The popular TV show Breaking Bad had a significant impact on the real-life meth industry. After the show aired, many meth manufacturers started dyeing their product blue, just like the one in the show. This was seen as a marketing tactic to make the drug more appealing to buyers. However, authorities were concerned that this would glamorize a highly addictive and dangerous drug. It’s a chilling reminder of the influence that media can have on real-life situations.
5) “A sunfish in a Japanese aquarium became so lonely after the aquarium closed to visitors for renovations that it stopped eating.”
“Only after staff placed photos of people’s faces near its tank did the sunfish perk up and start eating again.”
Credit: u/Prior-Student4664
Loneliness can affect anyone, including animals. In a heartwarming yet sad story, a sunfish in a Japanese aquarium became so lonely after the aquarium closed for renovations that it stopped eating. The aquarium staff tried everything to make the fish feel better, but nothing worked until they placed photos of people’s faces near its tank. This simple act made the sunfish feel better, and it started eating again. It just goes to show the importance of social interaction, even for animals.
6) “Eva Longoria spent six million dollars saving a film after her agent told her it was the right call… That film? John Wick.”
Credit: u/Milwambur
