Friday, May 20, 2016

At the Corner of True and False

Thought for the day:  Don't believe everything you read on the Internet.  [Abraham Lincoln]

Even George Washington, who allegedly never told a lie, would tell you not to believe everything you read online. Just because your pal is one smart cookie doesn't mean all the stuff in that amazing facts email (s)he forwarded to you is accurate, either. But some of the stuff in those emails is interesting enough to merit further investigation, dontcha think? And that's just what I did for today's post. Ready?



[morguefile]
#1 Brass door knobs automatically disinfect in about eight hours. 

Whatcha think? True or false?

Actually, it's true. The oligodynamic effect, first discovered by a Swiss scientist in 1893, is a process in which certain metals have an antimicrobial effect on viruses, bacteria, and other living cells, like molds, algae, fungi, and the like. And while brass may be a more aesthetically pleasing choice for door knobs and knockers, it does, indeed, kill germs in about eight hours, making it a healthier choice than stainless steel or aluminum, as well.


[morguefile]

#2  Netherlands is closing nineteen prisons due to a serious prisoner shortage. 

Again, this one is true. Inmates in the Netherlands typically only serve 2/3 of their sentences, and even after those closures, there are still more guards and other prison staff than there are prisoners.  (Wow! What a great problem to have.)



Claim #3 is rather astounding, and kinda cool, regarding the Vatican's Women's Rifle Team. Supposedly, in 1936, for the first and only time in history, Vatican City participated in the Olympics by entering said team. As I investigated, this same picture kept popping up on website after website, along with pretty much the same story. The pic shown here came from an amateur radio site, and is supposedly a QSL card. (Which amateur radio operators exchange after making contact with other stations.) The basic story: although the gun-slinging nuns failed to win any medals at the Games, they became minor celebrities, and in 1937, Nuns With Guns did a tour of Latin America and the United States, where they allegedly wowed the crowds at places like the Iowa State Fair.  In 1938, the Pope disbanded the group, because he decided they were bad for the Church's image. Sister Juliette, at the far right in this photo, left the order in 1942 to join the French underground as a very effective sharpshooter, and in 1949, returned to the convent.

So whattaya think? Is this story crazy enough to be true? Maybe, but unfortunately, I think it's a bunch of hooey, because I couldn't find any actual facts to support it, no matter how many sites kept reiterating the same story. There was nothing to verify it on the IOC website about the 1936 Olympics, and nothing about it on the Vatican's sites, either. Likewise, I came up with nothing after doing a search on Sister Juliette, the French Resistance,  and Mother Superior Maria Grazia, who allegedly led the rifle team. Nada. Plus there's this inconvenient fact: the International Olympics Committee only allows countries with a recognized National Olympic Committee to participate in the Games. Vatican City does, indeed, have such a committee... now, but not in 1936. Their NOC was recognized in 2010, and Vatican City participated for the first time at the London games in 2012. Still... if anyone has any facts to support the shooting nuns story, I'd love to hear it.

[wikipedia]
Now, for #4, we're gonna go from the nun side of things to the less-than-heavenly side, and check on the existence of something called the Door to Hell. Guess what? This one is true. Not saying it's actually a door to the netherworld, but that's what it's called... because that's what it looks like. Also called the Gate to Hell, it is located at a natural gas field in Derweze, Turkmenistan. In 1971, it collapsed into an underground cavern, forming a natural gas crater, which scientists set on fire, hoping to prevent the spread of deadly methane gas. They expected it to burn for several days, but it is... still burning. 


[morguefile]



Although those of you from Australia most assuredly know about this already, others may be a bit skeptical about the amazing fact #5, claiming that a baby kangaroo can fit into the bowl of a spoon.

A spoon? Have you seen how big mama kangaroos are...?




[morguefile]




I mean, just look at them! It'd have to be a pretty doggone big serving spoon, huh?

Or would it... ?

Nope... because this claim is also... true.




Wanta see one of those itty bitty roos?




[wikimedia]
Now let's jump right into #6, which claims the Diving Bell Spider spends most of its life underwater.

TRUE! These spiders, which are found in Northern and Central Europe, and Northern Asia, don't have gills, and some of them may surface once a day, but for the most part they live underwater. How do they do it? They trap air in a bubble, which is held by hairs on its abdomen and legs. Females build underwater diving bell webs, which they fill with air. In well-oxygenated water, replenishment of air is unnecessary, because the bell allows a gas exchange with the water: oxygen in, and carbon dioxide out. Wanta see one of these spiders in action?


The last item we're going to explore involves a claim that a tribe in India has created a system of living bridges. 

Really... living??? As in... alive??? 

Yep. Absolutely true.

[wikimedia]

Most of us think of a ficus as an attractive, and easy-to-grow houseplant.

But in the wild, the ficus elastica is something to behold...










[wikimedia]






I don't think this ficus is gonna fit into any flower pot, do you?

India's honest-to-goodness living bridges aren't so much built as they are grown. In an area that typically gets about fifty meters of rain a year, a normal wooden bridge would rot, but because these bridges are alive and still growing, they actually get stronger with time. Tribal members guide roots and vines across rivers, using hollowed trees to create a root guidance system, which eventually allows them to take root in the soil on the opposite bank. It can take as long as ten to fifteen years for the roots to become a functioning bridge, but once they do, some of these bridges are more than one hundred feet long and can support the weight of fifty or more people. This clever way of using the ficus tree to grow bridges has been done for more than five hundred years. Okay, one last video to show you what some of these bridges actually look like:


                                                                 Pretty clever, huh?

Bottom line? All of these amazing facts were true, except for the one about the nuns' rifle team. Too bad. That one was kinda cool.

But this is a fact: Nude Nuns With Big Guns was an actual movie, made in 2010. Pretty funny, huh?

Well, actually, I don't know if it's funny or not. We never saw it, because I've never, um, been in the habit of watching movies like that...


Okay, now for a bonus fact check: Smarticus married me when I was still a zygote. TRUE! It must be... how else could you explain the fact that our 47th anniversary is coming up on the 24th? It simply must be true. Only old people have been married that long... and it's been a terrific ride so far.



Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.

74 comments:

  1. Nuns with rulers that could snap on you hands in super fast speed back in the fifties is true. Nuns did not need guns, back then, their stares alone could bring you to your knees.

    What I find hard to believe is that there is such a place called Turkmenistan.

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    1. Public school teachers were pretty handy with a ruler in the fifties, too, especially during penmanship exercises. They were particularly brutal with left-handed students, who were expected to sit and position their paper exactly like the right-handed students were instructed to do. But I understand nuns were much more proficient at turning kids to jelly with a single stare. (I wonder if that's still the case today?)

      HA! Lots of unusually named "-stan" countries.

      Delete
  2. I'd like to believe all these facts, but this is the internet.

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  3. Fact is often stranger, and considerably less believable than fiction. Some of these I knew, and some I didn't. Thank you for your enquiring mind.
    Love the brass door knob factoid.
    Happy anniversary to you and the cradle snatcher on the 24th.

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    1. It's fun to learn new facts, but especially if they're bizarre. :)

      Thank you! The years sure have flown by...

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  5. Fascinating stuff! Many years ago ,when I first got a computer, I used to naively believe all the crap that I read online. It took awhile, and some fierce investigation, to realize how much of it isn't true. Yet, the Untruths keeps circulating.

    I haven't heard of most of the things you mentioned - but I have seen that photo of the nuns with guns. In fact I came across it very recently. I was surprised by the brass doorknob.

    Never saw "Nude Nuns With Big Guns", but I'll just bet that somewhere there's a gay movie called "Naked Priests With Big Pistols".
    ....well, it was a thought.....a lousy one.....

    When you mentioned the Gateway to Hell, my first thought was "That has to be in Texas!".

    Happy anniversary to you and Smarticus!

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    1. Unfortunately, the Untruths seem to be circulating even more than ever, especially when it comes to politics. Some groups just throw as much mud as they possibly can, and hope some of it sticks. For sure, whatever gets thrown WILL be spread even further by other people. (sigh)

      HA! I wouldn't be surprised if that kinda priest movie exists somewhere...

      Thanks!

      Delete
  6. Loved that first quote, for the internet lies like a cheap rug. Especially those beige cord carpets, they lie terribly...

    I so wanted the Nuns With Guns to be true. But let's face it, nuns are scary enough without 'packing heat'. (wow,I think I've been transported to a bad 80s action movie) And I have seen Nude Nuns With Big Guns...er...it's not the kind of film you sit and watch with grandma or the kids.

    Happy anniversary to you and Smarticus for the 24th and have a fabulous weekend. :)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Yep, those carpets and the Internet lie almost as much as mirrors and bathroom scales do.

      I really wanted that nuns with guns story to be true, too. Soooo cool. And it's kinda cool that you've seen that nuns movie, too. :)

      Thanks, kiddo. You have a super weekend, too.

      Delete
  7. ...and Nude Nuns with Big Guns sound fun! Funny but interesting facts!

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    1. I'm not sure, but you could probably find that movie on Amazon or something. :) (If you do, you'd better come back and tell me about it!)

      Delete
  8. Happy Anniversary for the 24th. I've forgotten what stage a zygote actually is, but I'll take your word for it.
    I'm definitely having brass doorknobs when I eventually build my dream house.

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    1. Thanks! A zygote is waaaay early, like when the egg and sperm first join, but I think it's acceptable to call the developing cells a zygote after that, too. But it's definitely pre-fetus. (Reeeeeally robbing the proverbial cradle.)

      Delete
  9. Nude Nuns with Big Guns sounds like a bad porno lol

    Brass doorknobs will surely work for my ocd if I ever get a house.

    Never would have said the kangaroo one was true. Not all that surprising about prisoners, as another fact, not sure if true, is the US has 5% of the world's population and 80% of its inmates. Somehow I believe it though.

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    1. HA! Yeah, it does...

      It's kinda cool to know that brass doorknobs really can keep the germs down, isn't it?

      I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn the thing about the U.S. having the largest percentage of prisoners in the world is true.

      Delete
  10. I so wanted the nuns with guns to be true. Classic!

    Happy Anniversary to you and Spartacus!! That's wonderful.

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    1. HA! Yeah, I really wanted that one to be true, too.

      Thanks!

      Delete
  11. obviously you were betrothed before conception. Happy Anniversary on the 24th. Nuns with Guns is awesome, they could open for Guns 'N Roses. You dug up some darn weird stuff and it has to be true because you are my news source! Happy Weekend

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    1. Absolutely... even BEFORE zygote status. :) Thanks.

      Hey, you could be onto something. Maybe Guns & Roses could create their own Nuns with Guns opening act. It could be comprised of their favorite gun-toting groupies...

      You have a terrific weekend, too.

      Delete
  12. I am going to try to comment again, it seems blogger ate it... :P

    Congratulations to you and your hubby for your anniversary, I think that is wonderful and I wish you many more years to come Susan xox

    I love these facts, eww to the spider in the water and someone needs to stop that fire from burning in what the call the door to Hell.. wow.... Also, I don't know comfortable I would feel walking on that live bridge...

    Have a great weekend xox

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    1. ERP! (Blogger apologizes.)

      Thanks. My hubby's parents had an old photograph on the wall of some relatives, taken on their 75th anniversary. That's my goal. :)

      You have a great weekend, too!

      Delete
  13. Fascinating facts and great post today! I learned a lot here--always a good thing! :) Happy weekend and also happy anniversary to you and your husband!

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    1. Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

      And a very happy weekend to you, too. Thanks for the anniversary wishes. :)

      Delete
  14. Happy anniversary!! :) I LOVED the old picture of the 'nun olympic team'. It's hilarious! I learned a lot of stuff today.

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    1. Thanks!!

      I love that "nun Olympic team" picture, too. Too bad it's bogus.

      Delete
  15. Could'a done without those spiders! Damn, not even safe from them under water. That sucks. LOL I HATE spiders!
    Love the fact checking, but no nuns with guns. Kinda glad that's the case though, just doesn't fit. I mean no option to turn the other cheek with a gun in hand. :)

    Happy Anniversary! 47th - WOW - Congratulations! Or is that one of those facts we need to verify. Copy of the marriage certificate, please. :)

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    1. HA! Seeing's as how that's how your feel about spiders, I'm surprised you haven't made one of your characters burn a nest of them with a blow torch. :)

      No, no option to turn the other cheek if a nun is brandishing a big gun, but on the other hand, there probably wouldn't be a discipline problem with her students. :)

      Thanks! I can hardly believe it's been 47 years myself...

      Delete
  16. If I wished you a happy anniversary, would that be true or false? TRUE!!

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  17. Happy anniversary. What a fun post. :-) Thanks.

    Greetings from London.

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    1. Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

      Greetings back atcha.

      Delete
  18. I had to skip the spider one, but the living bridges were pretty cool! I also did not know that about brass door knobs. Interesting.

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    1. Creeped out by spiders, huh? (But he was in a bubble!) I'm glad you found the other stuff interesting. :)

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  19. I knew about the kangaroos and the living bridges, but the brass door knob now has me picturing a germophobe in a bathroom, standing there waiting, counting down eight hours from when the last person opened the door...LOL.

    Happy anniversary to you and Smarticus! You are the fourth couple I know that's celebrating an anniversary this week. That's a good sign, right?

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    1. HA! That's a funny thought about a germaphobe waiting for the doorknob to finish doing its thing before he'll touch it.

      Thanks! Yes, I think it's a very good sign. I think our marriage might make it... :)

      Delete
  20. That door to hell is real freaky. On Google Images people are actually standing next to it. I just can't imagine.

    These were all interesting. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Not sure I'd want to stand too close to that door to hell... ya know, just in case the demons are looking for an old broad soul...

      I'm glad you enjoyed it.

      Delete
  21. I loved this blog post, Susan. I wanted the Vatican Gun Nuns to be true! The roo journey was really interesting and something I never knew. This one made me go to your actual blog page, rather than reading via email to enjoy the videos. So, thanks!

    Congrats to you and Smarticus on your upcoming anniversary. I hope you do something fun and sexy for each other.

    Love you!

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    1. Thanks, girlfriend. Now that's going to have to be my new blog post goal... make Kati enjoy it so much, she actually visits my page so she can watch the videos. :)

      Thanks. Oh, you know we will...

      Delete
  22. So many fascinating facts! (Buffy should go investigate that Door to Hell, LOL.) And wow, that's amazing how you and your husband have been together for so long. Many congrats on the anniversary! Hope everything goes well for you two on the 24th!

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    1. HA! Exactly! Maybe Buffy could figure out how to shut that thing down.

      Thanks. It sure doesn't feel like that many years. Time really does fly when you're having fun, or as Kermit says, "Time sure is fun when you're having flies..."

      Delete
  23. Hi Susan - what a great list ... I knew of one or two - decided the Vatican wasn't true - but hadn't taken in their admission in 2010 ...

    Congratulations on your 47th in a few days ... enjoy the weekends and week in between - then many many more futures together ... Happy times - cheers Hilary

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    1. Hi-ya, Hilary.

      I had my doubts about the Vatican story when I first read it, but I sooooo wanted it to be true. (sigh)

      Thank you so much. And cheers right back atcha.

      Delete
  24. WOW...yes a prisoner shortage is DEFINITELY a good problem to have indeed...

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    1. Sure is. Unfortunately, I don't think it's a "problem" we'll ever have in the U.S.

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  25. Amazing as always! Happy anniversary, Susan!

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  26. So, sucking on a brass doorknob at the end of a workday is a safe stress-release?
    I'm asking...for a friend.

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    1. Tell your, um, "friend" sucking on a brass doorknob may be safe, but sucking down an adult beverage would be a tastier stress-reliever.

      Delete
  27. So, sucking on a brass doorknob at the end of a workday is a safe stress-release?
    I'm asking...for a friend.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hooray for Yamminess! These were great! I have a book with that nun photo, must go dig it out and see what they say it is. Nice to know about brass knobs, never heard that before.And how ingenious are the ficus bridges!
    Happy Anniversary to you and Smarticus. It just can't be that long ago. Your math functions must be leaving. :)

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    1. Oh, cool! Let me know what your book has to say about the nuns.

      Thanks! Yeah, I know... it couldn't possibly be that many years...

      Delete
  29. Thanks, Susan! I'm going to bookmark this post for future reference because I sometimes speak at librarians' conferences, and the Shooting Nuns are a great example for verifying your research. If all your sources reference each other -- and use the same words -- you might be on the trail of a fallacy. Real events can be found in multiple sources, written by different people, and confirmed by outside facts, like the Vatican being recognized as a viable entry in the Olympics starting in 2010. GREAT fodder for a presentation -- thank you!!!!

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    1. You're welcome, Dianne! I'm glad the Shooting Nuns story fills the bill for you. :)

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  30. Ha...fun post! Interesting tidbits too!

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  31. Happy anniversary!

    Interesting that brass acts as a disinfectant...

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    1. Thanks!

      Not just brass, but all metals to varying degrees. Given enough time, that is. I wouldn't throw away the hand sanitizer. :)

      Delete
  32. I'm kinda sad that the nuns with guns one wasn't true. I bet they'd be great at guarding the Door of Hell.

    Happy anniversary! Mine is today and I'm way behind you, but I'm hoping we can make it to 47 years without one of us dying since we were not zygotes when we wed.

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    1. Yeah, me, too. That whole nuns with guns story was so super cool, I really wanted it to be true.

      Thanks! Happy anniversary to you, too! I hope you make it to 47 years, too... and then some.

      Delete
  33. Dear Susan, Happy Anniversary! And that is TRUE: enjoy your happiness!
    As to your long and interesting list:
    I didn't know about the 'living bridge' - good idea!
    And the nuns - I couldn't believe... But you know the French nun who became a pop-singer? ("Dominique, nique, nique..) - but after that one success I never heard of her again.

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    1. Thanks! We had a wonderful anniversary. :)

      Yes! I remember the singing nun quite well, and loved that song. I wonder what ever became of her...

      Delete
  34. Aw! Happy anniversary! Thank you for rooting out all those crazy facts. I may actually use the living bridges in a story. That was super epic--and I'm thinking I need to replace all my door handles. Oh boy. I need to get off the internet. ;)

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    1. Thanks!

      It would be WAY cool to use those living bridges in a story.

      Delete
  35. Oh, my goodness! Happy, Happy Anniversary (a day late)! But when you've been married this long, I think you deserve to celebrate for at least a week, so maybe I'm in the margin of error. ;)

    Thanks, as always, for the fascinating facts. You never fail to amuse as you educate. :)

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    1. Thanks! After all these years, every day we're still here is a celebration. :)

      Delete
  36. That's it we're getting brass in this house! :) Love the nun story. I think it's cool actually, just because it breaks the sterotype in an instant. :)

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    1. Whether or not that nun story breaks the stereotype depends on who you ask. I think some of my friends who went to Catholic school in the '50s would say that's close to what they'd expect from the nuns they knew. :)

      Delete
  37. So much good stuff today! My dad always said wood also had similar anti-bacterial qualities because of the acid in it. He refused cutting boards of any other material. If he's wrong, don't tell me- I never argued with my father ;)
    Those bridges are amazing. The movie, not so much. LOL

    Happy anniversary! Those marriages arranged in the fetal state are risky...glad it turned out well.

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    1. Father knows best! Your dad was right about wood having antibacterial properties. Assuming both are washed with soapy water after each use, a wooden cutting board is more hygienic than a plastic one.

      Thanks! We had a terrific day.

      Delete
  38. Happy Anniversary! Wow! Awesome interesting reading through this post!

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