What didn't you know until recently?

[Seagull]

The expiry date on any packet of crisps, regardless of brand, is always a Saturday. Bizarre but true...apparently.

[Jen.]

The small penis rule is an informal strategy used by authors to evade libel lawsuits. It was described in a New York Times article in 1998:

"For a fictional portrait to be actionable, it must be so accurate that a reader of the book would have no problem linking the two," said Mr. Friedman. Thus, he continued, libel lawyers have what is known as "the small penis rule". One way authors can protect themselves from libel suits is to say that a character has a small penis, Mr. Friedman said. "Now no male is going to come forward and say, 'That character with a very small penis, that's me!'"

The small penis rule was referenced in a 2006 dispute between Michael Crowley and Michael Crichton. Crowley alleged that after he wrote an unflattering review of Crichton's novel State of Fear, Crichton included a character named "Mick Crowley" in the novel Next. The character is a child rapist, described as being a Washington, D.C.-based journalist and Yale graduate with a small penis.

[genovese]

I have a dream that one day we will live in a nation where a man will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their undies.

[gregarious_introvert]

^ That's hardly surprising, given your signature (now that is going to look very silly when you change your signature, I know, but I'll say it anyway).

I have a dream that one day we will live in a world where one will not be judged by any means, including gender (although I do appreciate that the "small penis rule" applies to men and that you weren't being sexist in your comment). Let's start building a world of harmony, not division. Oops, that was a bit serious in response to a humorous comment!

I dread to think what might happen if I were judged by the content of my undies! Also, how would one would protect themselves from libel if the character were female?

[Jam]

Originally Posted by genovese

I have a dream that one day we will live in a nation where a man will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their undies.

This should be the new motto for BLM.

[genovese]

^ White Linghams Matter too, ya racist

[Tembo]

You can apply for an Italian passport if you have Italian ancestry, no matter how far that ancestry goes back, if you can prove it.

I have some Italian ancestry on one side of the family - they came to Britain sometime around WW2.

Applying for this passport is becoming a much more attractive idea for me, for many reasons.

(Emphasis on 'idea' though)

[gregarious_introvert]

^ What if that ancestry predates the unification of Italy in 1873 (or whenever it was exactly, I can't remember)? I have a Roman nose and an O level in Latin, so think that someone in my ancestry may have met someone from the Roman conquest of 43AD. I would love to have ancestry of any EU member country.

[Jam]

I don't have Italian ancestry, but I can make marinara sauce from scratch.

[Tembo]

Originally Posted by gregarious_introvert

^ What if that ancestry predates the unification of Italy in 1873 (or whenever it was exactly, I can't remember)? I have a Roman nose and an O level in Latin, so think that someone in my ancestry may have met someone from the Roman conquest of 43AD. I would love to have ancestry of any EU member country.

Sadly it doesnt apply if the ancestors in Italy were exclusively alive before March 17, 1861, when Italy became a nation. It does if they were alive any time on or after that date.

It appears that, mostly, you can only apply for it as far back as maternal and paternal great-grandfathers or great-grandmothers were born in Italy and were citizens of Italy or had rights to Italian citizenship. But in some cases, the ancestry can go further back than that.
From what i've read, its a complicated process! Its called 'Jure Sanguinis', which means 'Right of Blood'.

[neilm]

Originally Posted by imperfect_perfectionist

Well I'm not dead, didn't fall sick. Too much water also leads to death. I just went toilet a lot then looked up and why and that appeared to be the reason.

Glad to hear it, you obviously didnt drink to much salt water then

Wouldnt worry to much about drinking too much Fresh Water though. Youd have to drink huge amounts of the stuff for death to occur (although it is certainly possible). If you are drinking too much your body will soon tell you not to drink any more (if you know what I mean)

[genovese]

Dabrowski's Theory of Positive Disintegration

https://positivepsychology.com/dabro...isintegration/

[Sisyphus]

^ I didn't know of that either.

The Wikipedia article was an interesting read.

While I relate to what it says I am not too sure what it adds in a therapeutic context. I don't mean that in a bad way it's just like being told a joke but not the punchline. There feels like there is something missing.

[Jen.]

"The Erfurt latrine disaster was an event that occurred in Erfurt, Duchy of Thuringia in 1184. A number of nobles from across the Holy Roman Empire were meeting in a room at the Church of St. Peter, when their combined weight caused the floor to collapse into the latrine beneath the cellar and led to dozens of nobles drowning in liquid excrement. At least 60 people died in the accident."

[Mo34]

I don't do twitter so I wouldn't have seen it I guess. But just read Sarah Harding has advanced breast cancer . She's only 38, scary stuff.

[Amara 94]

After Chadwick Boseman died. Scary stuff indeed!!

[Amara 94]

That skin bleaching can increase ones risk of kidney disease.

[Dougella]

^ It's so sad that skin bleaching is even a thing. Dark skin is so beautiful but people are risking their health to make it lighter.

[Amara 94]

If it's to get rid of hyperpimentation then i get it. I have seen a natural way to lighten skin which I would think is harmless. Other than that I don't get skin lightening but I think it's based on a mental issue with the person. Or the person has a different perspective to me on bleaching that it's hard to judge everyone for skin bleaching.

I agree with you though.

[Dougella]

^ Yes there are safer ways to deal with hyperpigmentation but someone trying to lighten their overall skin tone is just not necessary!

[Amara 94]

Yeah I agree. What do you think of tanning?

[Dougella]

^ Well, sunbathing and sun beds aren't really very healthy. Using fake tan isn't really damaging in any way, so that seems ok but it would be better if people just accepted their natural complexion

[Amara 94]

This, our body probably tells our health much more than we think. Apparently we have narrower jaws since our diets became highly processed. Narrower jaws can cause breathing problems, and teeth that need to be straightened apparently.

[Mo34]

That by the turn of the 19th century Tuberculous had killed 1 in 7 of all people that have ever lived.
I knew it was highly contagious and epidemic but when you hear it like that it's quite

[Amara 94]

^It's scary how illnesses use to kill so many people at a young age.

[Rocket Spud]

That those little metal canisters that you see outside discarded about the place are for 'laughing gas'.

[Rocket Spud]

Are these the same things as 'poppers'? Anyone... ?

[Amara 94]

Originally Posted by Rocket Spud

That those little metal canisters that you see outside discarded about the place are for 'laughing gas'.

They are all round my estate

[Rocket Spud]

Has anyone laughed their arse off yet?

[Amara 94]

I don't hang around with them but I don't think so. The areas that the metal capsules are mostly used is on the other side of the estate to me. I notice though some people put on an attitude or loud demeanour. I think it's a defence mechanism to not be an easy target. There are also parties I never am invited too that seem to happen a lot.