A list of curious facts
One: Did you know that Mallika Sherawat once played a character inspired by Kamala Harris? In the movie titled ‘Politics of Love’, her character is a lowly campaign worker—not running for president—but shares Harris’ biracial identity. Mallika told Wired while promoting the flick in 2009: “With a lil hard work, combined with some gospel churchin’, hip-hop dance classes and slanguage lessons: I’ll be a swaggalicious suga mama (Did I get that right?) in no time at all.” That tells you everything you need to know about the flick—which mercifully has been lost to the mists of time. You can still catch the trailer below. But, hey, the stills look mighty fine (see: lead image). (Film Companion)
Two: There is a peculiar disorder called Foreign Accent Syndrome—usually caused by brain damage. A Brit may suddenly start speaking English with a Russian accent. But what sounds like an ‘accent’ is actually the brain struggling with vowels or tongue movements. The effect, however, is uncanny—as you can see below. The Conversation has lots more on the disorder.
Three: We are experiencing an epidemic of loneliness. Thank god, Neal Agarwal has figured out what we need: EyeChat—where you can connect with random strangers—and communicate with just your eyes. Aankhon hi aankhon mein ishaara ho gaya… Of course, it’s a desi who came up with this bright idea. (404 Media, login required)
Four: The founder of Spanx introduced the world to so-called shapewear—dooming women everywhere to squeezing their bodies into extra-tight lycra. Now, Sara Blakely’s out to ruin the most comfortable damn thing in our closet: sneakers. Say hello to Sneex—a Frankenstinian creation—with its own cringe name: “hy-heel.” Yes, she slapped a perfectly nice sneaker on top of a three-inch stiletto—because: 'I just want my high heel to feel like my sneaker.” Or more likely, the other way around. (CBS News)
Bonus fact: Doritos’ new product is somewhat more useful—at least to astronauts. Cool Ranch Zero Gravity chips are bite-sized so you don’t end up floating in crumbs. We quite like this Pringles-on-a-rocket teaser. (Food & Wine)
