A list of curious facts
One: The latest weird TikTok trend involves a facial-symmetry filter that “invert the mirror’s reflection, revealing images of one’s face as others perceive it.” And it’s really very freaky—and discombobulating. See an example below. (New York Times, splainer gift link)
Two: Ancient maps of the world make us giggle—and make us feel so much smarter since they are entirely inaccurate. But these maps are testament to the power of human creativity and imagination—which were remarkably accurate without the scientific knowledge or tools available to us today. For example, look at this map by Eratosthenes of Cyrene, the man in charge of the legendary library of Alexandria in the third century BC. This is what he knew of the world back then in the aftermath of Alexander’s campaign that led all the way to India. What it made us think: will our map of the universe seem as absurd to others in the millennia to come? Medium has a lovely essay on Eratosthenes and his maps.
Three: Here’s a lovely trip through football’s memory lane. This is England’s 1966 World Cup-winning goalkeeper and Leicester legend Gordon Banks grabbing a stray dog that wandered into the field during a game against Manchester United. If only Ronaldo could hold on to a ball just as well these days… (Telegraph UK)
