funny facts

WTF Fun Fact 13454 – Dumpling Flavored Soda

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If you love dumplings, would you try a dumpling-flavored soda? We might. Or at least, we might have before reading about it.

Gyoza soda – Japan’s dumpling flavored soda monstrosity

Japan, a land of diverse flavors, occasionally throws up concoctions that can baffle even the most adventurous taste buds. And let’s just say they weren’t the only ones to “throw up” this particular culinary adventure.

One recent innovation in the Japanese beverage world was the dumpling (or gyoza)-flavored soda. This quirky drink has sparked intrigue, excitement, and disgust in equal measure.

This controversial drink was developed by Nagai Garden. And to be fair, it was marketed as “Gyoza cider.” It aimed to replicate the flavors of gyoza, a type of Japanese dumpling filled with meat and vegetables.

So it’s a carbonated, non-alcoholic beverage intended to encapsulate the salty, savory experience of a gyoza dumpling.

A flavor rollercoaster

The soda is reportedly a mix of sweet and savory tastes. First impressions are of a typical sweet soda, but the taste then turns into a confusing blend of savory gyoza flavors, ending with a garlicky aftertaste. The drink’s light yellow color gives no hint of the sensory rollercoaster it unleashes.

The reviews, to put it mildly, have been mixed. Online testimonials range from amusement to outright disgust, with some individuals expressing that the soda made them feel nauseated.

A general consensus is that the dumpling-flavored soda might be Japan’s worst-tasting soft drink. But in a world of flavor enthusiasts, the soda has its fair share of admirers, with some people appreciating its distinctiveness.

This unusual soda is a reflection of Japan’s ‘dare-to-drink’ culture. Japan’s beverage market is known for its wild array of flavors, often aiming to surprise or shock consumers. This culture has previously given us beverages such as salty watermelon Pepsi.

Novelty or Nasty?

While the drink is definitely unique, it’s up for debate whether it’s a novelty or simply nasty. For those who adore gyoza and are open to unusual flavor combinations, the dumpling soda could be an interesting exploration. However, for individuals with less adventurous palates, it’s probably a hard pass.

At the very least, the peculiar concoction has captured global attention, creating a buzz on social media and discussion forums. It’s a testament to the adage, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.”

—WTF fun facts

Source: “Dumpling-Flavored Soda – Probably Japan’s Worst-Tasting Soft Drink” — Oddity Central

WTF Fun Fact 13452 – Canadian Cheeto Statue

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Next time you want to salute your snack, you can make a pilgrimage to the Canadian Cheeto statue in Alberta. It’s even a testament to the dust the orange cheese puffs leave on our hands. But somehow, not everyone is a fan of the “art.”

The story behind the Canadian Cheeto statue

In the quaint town of Cheadle, Alberta stands a colossal statue of a Cheeto. Standing at 20-feet tall, the statue is an unexpected sight, to say the least.

This larger-than-life statue was born out of an unusual collaboration between Cheetos Canada and the local community of Cheadle, a town with a population of fewer than 200 residents. The idea was to boost tourism and put Cheadle on the map—literally and figuratively.

The statue features a giant, crinkly Cheeto, intricately designed to mirror the snack’s iconic look, elevated on a stand that boasts the Cheetos logo. The structure even lights up at night!

What’s in a name?

Adding to the whimsy of the project is the fact that the Cheeto statue is not just any ordinary snack. It’s a representation of the “Cheetle,” a term coined by Cheetos to describe the cheesy dust left on your fingers after enjoying a bag of the iconic snack.

As with any novel concept, the public reaction has been mixed. Some locals view it as a quirky attraction that has brought a new sense of vibrancy to the town. Others, however, see it as an outlandish eyesore.

Critics argue that the funds used to erect the statue could have been spent on more practical community initiatives. But whether you see it as an eyesore or an art piece, there’s no denying the Cheeto statue’s buzz-generating power.

—WTF fun facts

Source: “A Small Canadian Town Is Now the Home of a 17-foot-tall Cheeto Statue” — Food & Wine

WTF Fun Fact 13448 – White Crustless Bread

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Apparently, the best thing since sliced bread is white crustless bread.

Known as “mujipan,” or “crustless bread,” it has become a staple of Japanese kitchens, popular among both young and old. With its fluffy texture and mild flavor, it’s ideal for making sandwiches, toast, and various other dishes that the Japanese have ingeniously adapted to their cuisine.

Creating white crustless bread

The creation of crustless bread is not merely about slicing off the browned edges. Japanese bakers have perfected the technique of baking loaves where the crust is almost non-existent. This process involves using soft wheat flour, a lot of water, and a precise amount of yeast. The dough is then kneaded and left to rise multiple times before it’s finally baked at a lower temperature compared to traditional bread. The result is a soft, pillowy loaf with a very thin crust that is almost indistinguishable from the rest of the bread.

The crustless bread trend in Japan originated from the desire to create a perfect sandwich. In the Japanese context, sandwiches aren’t just a quick lunch option; they are an art form. The aesthetic appeal of the sandwich is as important as its taste. A sandwich made with crustless bread looks neat and elegant, the filling is the star, and nothing detracts from its visual appeal. This focus on visual presentation extends to all aspects of Japanese cuisine, from sushi to bento boxes.

Cutting off the flavor?

However, the popularity of crustless bread is not without its critics. Some bakers and food connoisseurs argue that the crust is where the flavor is. It’s the part of the bread that caramelizes during baking, creating a complex taste profile that the soft, white interior lacks. Yet, the demand continues to be strong, proving that its appeal goes beyond mere aesthetics.

Another interesting cultural aspect is the practicality of crustless bread. Japanese homes are often smaller with minimal storage space. The compact size of the loaves makes them easy to store. Additionally, they’re also more convenient for children and the elderly to eat.

In recent years, the trend has spread beyond Japan. Crustless bread is now available in various other countries, and the international market is growing. Its appeal lies in its convenience and its suitability for a variety of culinary applications, from breakfast toast to gourmet sandwiches.

Yet, despite its global reach, white crustless bread remains quintessentially Japanese. It encapsulates the Japanese approach to food, where taste, aesthetics, and practicality are all intimately connected. Like sushi, ramen, and matcha, this bread is a culinary innovation that reflects the culture from which it originated. In a world where cuisine is increasingly globalized, these unique cultural expressions provide a sense of connection to a particular place and way of life.

—WTF fun facts

Source: “Company Develops Bread With White Crust to Decrease Food Waste” — Oddity Central

WTF Fun Fact 13447 – Law Student Caught Cheating

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A law student was caught cheating on an exam – but the tactic was pretty creative. It didn’t involve AI; rather, it involved etching the answers onto pens.

Law student caught cheating, creatively

In academia’s high-stakes environment, students are often driven to develop ingenious, albeit misguided, strategies to gain an edge. An incident involving a Spanish law student serves as a perfect example. Their unorthodox approach to cheating sparked a wave of both surprise and begrudging admiration for the student’s inventiveness.

The student, instead of sticking to traditional study methods, opted for a novel approach: etching exam notes onto pens.

Yolanda de Lucchi, a law professor at the University of Malaga in Spain, found the blue Bic pens while cleaning her office recently. She recalled the incident on Twitter along with a photo.

Catching the culprit

During the nerve-racking examination, among the focused faces and hurried scribblings, one student stood out. The object of his intense scrutiny was not a perplexing question paper but an unassuming blue pen. What set this pen apart was its transformation into a tool of deception. Its sides, etched with minuscule text, carried a condensed version of course notes.

The ingenuity of the plan was remarkable but flawed. An observer, drawn by the student’s excessive focus on the pen, unveiled its secret. Methodical scrutiny of the pen exposed the cheat sheet, unraveled the student’s plan, and landed them in a situation that resulted in severe academic consequences.

Why not just study?

The irony of the situation wasn’t lost on the public. The creativity and determination that went into crafting this deceptive tool could have been well-spent in studying the law subject matter. Instead, the attempt at taking a shortcut led the student to face the consequences, which included repeating the entire academic year.

This tale of intrigue and downfall serves as a cautionary tale to students globally. The incident emphasizes that shortcuts, however ingenious, rarely lead to the desired destination in academia. A lesson learned the hard way by the student who, according to Professor De Lucchi, is “probably a lawyer today.”

The story underscores the importance of integrity and diligence in the face of academic pressure. The creativity exhibited in crafting the cheat-sheet could be commended if it were applied ethically and productively.

In the grand scheme of things, the tale of the etched pens sends a clear message: genuine success in education comes from honest hard work, not from clever shortcuts. The real reward of learning lies in the understanding of the subject matter, not merely in passing an exam.

—WTF fun facts

Source: “Law Student Busted After Etching Notes on Pens to Cheat in Exam” — Newsweek

WTF Fun Fact 13446 – Danish AI Political Party

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The Synthetic Party is a Danish AI political party led by an AI chatbot named Leader Lars.

How does an AI political party work?

Denmark’s political landscape is making an intriguing pivot towards artificial intelligence. Leader Lars was brought to life by artist collective Computer Lars and the non-profit art and tech organization MindFuture Foundation. Is this a new era in political representation?

The Synthetic Party, established in May 2022, aspires to represent the values of the 20% of Danes who do not vote. This AI chatbot is not just a figurehead. It’s equipped with policies drawn from Danish fringe parties since 1970. And its human members are committed to executing these AI-derived platforms.

Why involve an AI in politics?

The Synthetic Party seeks to represent data from all fringe parties striving for a parliamentary seat. It’s a novel concept that allows individual political visions, usually limited by financial and logistical constraints, to gain representation. The unique aspect of this political approach is the interaction between citizens and Leader Lars on Discord, a platform where people can speak directly to the AI. This feature fosters a unique form of democratic engagement.

The party’s AI-led political approach raises questions about the viability and accountability of machine learning in government. For instance, can an AI truly grasp and represent human needs and values? How do we hold an AI accountable for its decisions? The Synthetic Party’s response to these questions lies in the transparency and auditability of AI decision-making processes.

Party policy

The Synthetic Party’s policies are bold, to say the least. From establishing a universal basic income of 100,000 Danish kroner per month (equivalent to $13,700, and over double the Danish average salary) to creating a jointly-owned internet and IT sector within the government, the party seeks to innovate and challenge the status quo.

Crucially, the Synthetic Party is not about putting a chatbot in charge. Instead, it’s about exploring the democratic potential of AI and machine learning. The party sees AI as a tool to amplify and understand a wide range of opinions, even if those opinions sometimes contradict each other.

In addition to offering fresh political perspectives, the Synthetic Party aims to raise awareness about the role of AI in our lives and the importance of AI accountability. For example, it advocates for the addition of an 18th Sustainable Development Goal. This would focus on the relationship between humans and AI to the United Nations’ SDGs.

The Synthetic Party seeks to promote a more democratic, accountable, and transparent use of AI in politics. The party needs 20,000 signatures to run in the 2023 November general election. If it gets those, it could introduce a novel form of political representation in Denmark. It would be one that goes beyond a simple figurehead and instead uses AI as a tool for political change.

—WTF fun facts

Source: “This Danish Political Party Is Led by an AI” — VICE

WTF Fun Fact 13445 – The Shortlife Clock

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Life is short – and the shortlife clock is here to remind you of that grim fact every morning. It was designed to make you question your perception of time and mortality – which is obviously the first thing you want to do when the alarm goes off. Right?

This fascinating gadget is the brainchild of artist Dries Depoorter. And it does add an extra layer of thought-provoking contemplation to the mundane act of timekeeping.

What exactly is the Shortlife Clock?

The Shortlife clock isn’t just your run-of-the-mill timekeeper. At first glance, it seems to be a standard digital clock. But wait, there’s a catch! This unique gadget counts down the estimated time left in your life, based on statistics from the World Health Organization. Talk about a reality check! The clock gives an entirely new perspective on the value of each second, minute, and hour.

How does it work? The clock requires the user to input their age and gender. Then, it uses this information, along with WHO data, to estimate the user’s life expectancy. The countdown starts ticking from that point forward, offering a thought-provoking and somewhat confronting reminder of our mortality.

With every tick, the Shortlife clock gently nudges you to seize the day. At the very least, you get a humbling reminder that time is a finite resource. So make the most of every moment!

A $180 reminder of your mortality

The clock isn’t just about morbid fascination. Or at least it doesn’t have to be. Think of it as a heartfelt call to action to appreciate the time you have.

Though the Shortlife clock might seem a bit macabre to some, its concept has fascinated many. And it’s sparked some meaningful conversations about life, death, and how we choose to spend our time.

More than just a quirky gadget, it’s a tool for introspection. It can help you to reflect on how you spend your days. Or it can be a (subtle?) reminder to get on with life and make the most of the time you have left.

To some, the Shortlife clock serves as an invitation to live more intentionally, to appreciate the fleeting beauty of existence. To others, it serves as a conversation starter, a unique piece of decor that sparks curiosity and in-depth discussions about life and time.

The Shortlife clock’s popularity is a testament to its thought-provoking nature. It seems that people are drawn to the idea of visualizing the impermanence of life. The Shortlife clock caters to this interest, allowing people to confront their mortality in a tangible way.

So, if you’re in the mood for a little existential contemplation, or if you’re looking for a conversation starter that goes beyond the usual small talk, the Shortlife clock might just be what you need. After all, it’s not every day you come across a gadget that makes you contemplate life’s biggest questions. It is, however, $180.

—WTF fun facts

Source: “Shortlife Click, V2” — Tindie

WTF Fun Fact 13440 – The Independence Day Date

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If some of the U.S.’s founding fathers got their way, Americans the Independence Day date would be the 2nd of July.

Why is the U.S. Independence Day date the 4th of July?

On a blistering summer day in Philadelphia in the year 1776, a group of men in the Second Continental Congress convened. These “founding fathers” were ready to sever the bonds with their British overlords. This day was July 2nd, a date largely forgotten in the grand narrative of American independence.

Two of these influential men, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, were sticklers for precision. They believed that July 2nd, not July 4th, should ring be America’s Independence Day. The Congress voted for independence on this day, – kind of a no-brainer, right?

Jefferson and Adams, who would later become presidents, firmly considered July 2nd to the true birth of American freedom.

Voting for Independence

On July 2nd, the Continental Congress voted in favor of Richard Henry Lee’s resolution for independence from British rule. This momentous decision effectively set the 13 colonies on the path to becoming the United States of America. An event of this magnitude surely deserved to be marked in history.

However, the document Americans now revere as the Declaration of Independence was finalized and formally adopted two days later on July 4th. This date engraved on the top of the document created a longstanding association with the birth of American independence. It was the date that was eventually printed in newspapers, establishing the Fourth of July in the collective consciousness of the public.

Arguing over the Inependence Day date

Jefferson and Adams harbored their beliefs passionately. Adams even went to the extent of reportedly turning down invitations to participate in Fourth of July events as a form of silent protest. He firmly believed that the celebrations were simply on the wrong day.

In a bizarre twist of fate, both Adams and Jefferson died on the same day, July 4, 1826, on the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The coincidence of their deaths on this date further romanticized the idea of July 4th as Independence Day.

Over the years, the debate has lost much of its steam. Americans now celebrate the Fourth of July Independence Day. The story of July 2nd remains a fascinating footnote in the saga of American independence, a testament to the complex and sometimes contentious process that birthed the nation we know today.

Does the Independence Day date really matter?

In the grand scheme of things, whether Independence Day falls on the second or fourth of July might seem trivial. Still, this tale serves as a potent reminder of the spirited debates and diverse perspectives that shaped the foundation of the United States.

And the next time you’re watching fireworks light up the night sky on the Fourth of July, remember the tale of July 2nd.

—WTF fun facts

Source: “When is the real Independence Day: July 2 or July 4?” — National Constitution Center

WTF Fun Fact 13437 – Nuclear Pasta

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Luckily, nuclear pasta is not coming to a dinner plate near you.

Imagine the densest material in the universe. It’s far harder than a diamond. In fact, this stuff is ten billion times stronger. Nestled in the heart of a neutron star, there’s a material that goes by the name: nuclear pasta.

Why is it called nuclear pasta?

Welcome to the most outlandish, mind-boggling part of astrophysics. Neutron stars, the remnants of massive stars that exploded as supernovae, pack twice the mass of our sun into a sphere just 20 kilometers in diameter. As a result, these objects have some truly wild properties.

If you were to dig into the heart of a neutron star, you’d see layers of complexity. As you delve deeper, things get denser and denser. Around halfway to the center, the density of the material becomes so great that the atomic nuclei become squished into a variety of shapes. Scientists believe they resemble pasta types, hence the nickname.

But what makes this stuff special?

According to research, these are likely the densest and hardest substances in the universe. In fact, one sugar cube of nuclear pasta would weigh as much as a mountain.

Theoretical physicists and astrophysicists have been trying to simulate nuclear pasta to better understand its properties. According to a 2018 study, nuclear pasta may be the strongest material in the universe. It’s not only incredibly dense but also has a shearing resistance tougher than steel’s.

This immense density results in intense gravitational fields, causing the pasta shapes to align themselves into an incredibly tight lattice structure. This structure could play a crucial role in various neutron star phenomena, including starquakes, glitches, and even gravitational waves.

Interestingly, nuclear pasta doesn’t exist naturally on Earth, and for a good reason – it’s way too dense and strong for our environment. But the fact that it exists in the universe opens up a whole new realm of physics.

Discovering the existence of nuclear pasta is also vital for understanding neutron stars better. These stars are not only fascinating in their own right but also play a crucial role in the life cycles of galaxies. Understanding more about neutron stars could, therefore, lead to insights about how galaxies, including our own Milky Way, evolve over time.

There’s still so much to learn about neutron stars. But one thing’s for sure – the universe is full of fantastic and surprising structures!

—WTF fun facts

Source: “What is nuclear pasta?” — BBC Sky at Night Magazine

WTF Fun Fact 13432 – Poland’s Top Tourist Attraction

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A funny feline from Poland named Gacek has been causing a buzz online. He’s earned fame and become Poland’s top tourist attraction thanks to Google Maps.

This remarkable kitty, through its wanderings, has inadvertently become an international sensation. A case of an everyday cat finding a global platform. Gacek’s story combines charm, curiosity, and the surprising role of technology in our daily lives.

Why is Poland’s top tourist attraction a random cat?

Gacek’s journey to online stardom started when his owners fitted him with a GPS collar. To their surprise, the cat was far more adventurous than they had imagined. Gacek explored Szczecin, the city where he lives, covering an impressive range of urban territory.

They eventually overlaid the GPS data they collected from Gacek’s collar onto Google Maps. The resulting visual representation of his adventures was shared online, quickly capturing the attention of internet users across the globe. Gacek’s meanderings through the city, as shown on the map, paint an intriguing picture of a day in the life of an adventurous feline.

Gacek’s story fascinated and amused social media users worldwide. His explorations have sparked conversations about the role of technology in uncovering these hidden aspects of our world.

He’s also providing a great way to take a walking tour of the city!

Tour the city through the eyes of a cat

This digital snapshot of Gacek’s escapades quickly became a hit online. The map of his travels is now an unlikely tourist guide to Szczecin.

Thes “Gacek tours” let people explore famous cat’s routes and favorite haunts. And of course people are hoping to catch a glimpse of the adventurous feline. Cafes and shops along Gacek’s routes have seen a boost in business, thanks to the increased footfall from cat-loving tourists.

The phenomenon of Gacek has also highlighted the practical benefits of GPS tracking for pets, underlining its potential for ensuring the safety of our four-legged companions in an urban setting. While Gacek’s adventures have brought joy to many, they also emphasize the role of such technology in caring for our pets.

—WTF fun facts

Source: “This Polish city’s top tourist attraction? A stray cat.” — Washington Post