Skip to content
  • Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
  • Users
  • Groups
Skins
  • Light
  • Cerulean
  • Cosmo
  • Flatly
  • Journal
  • Litera
  • Lumen
  • Lux
  • Materia
  • Minty
  • Morph
  • Pulse
  • Sandstone
  • Simplex
  • Sketchy
  • Spacelab
  • United
  • Yeti
  • Zephyr
  • Dark
  • Cyborg
  • Darkly
  • Quartz
  • Slate
  • Solar
  • Superhero
  • Vapor

  • Default (No Skin)
  • No Skin
Collapse

The New Coffee Room

  1. TNCR
  2. General Discussion
  3. Mildly interesting

Mildly interesting

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General Discussion
2.5k Posts 33 Posters 310.5k Views
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • M Offline
    M Offline
    Mik
    wrote 26 days ago last edited by
    #2436

    8da311c2-40da-4600-81c7-38c1117c22f6-image.png

    When an elephant needs to be transported by plane from one country to another—for example, from India to the United States—its crate is filled with… tiny chicks.

    Yes, you read that right: little, fragile chicks.

    Why?

    Because despite their enormous size, elephants are deeply afraid of causing harm. Throughout the entire flight, the elephant stands perfectly still, not daring to move, so as not to risk stepping on a single chick.

    That’s how the plane stays balanced.
    And for the elephant, it’s the first test of its noble nature.

    Fascinated by this behavior, scientists have studied the elephant’s brain and discovered spindle cells—rare neurons also found in humans.
    These are associated with self-awareness, empathy, and complex social perception.

    In other words, an elephant is not only physically huge; it’s an emotional giant, too.
    It feels, understands, and acts with silent wisdom.

    Leonardo da Vinci, deeply fascinated by nature, once wrote about elephants:

    “The elephant embodies righteousness, reason, and temperance.”

    He also noted:
    The elephant enters the river and bathes with a certain dignity, as if wishing to purify itself from all evil.
    If it finds a lost person, it gently guides them back to the right path.
    It never walks alone: always in a group, always led by a guide.

    It is modest.
    Mating happens only at night, away from the herd, and before returning to the group, the elephant bathes.
    If it encounters another herd on its way, it gently moves them aside with its trunk, careful not to hurt anyone.

    But perhaps the most touching thing is this:
    When an elephant senses the end is near, it leaves the herd and goes to die alone, in a secluded place.

    Why?

    To spare the younger ones the pain of watching it die.

    Out of modesty. Out of compassion. Out of dignity.

    Three rare virtues.
    Even among humans.

    “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

    D A 2 Replies Last reply 26 days ago
    • M Mik
      26 days ago

      8da311c2-40da-4600-81c7-38c1117c22f6-image.png

      When an elephant needs to be transported by plane from one country to another—for example, from India to the United States—its crate is filled with… tiny chicks.

      Yes, you read that right: little, fragile chicks.

      Why?

      Because despite their enormous size, elephants are deeply afraid of causing harm. Throughout the entire flight, the elephant stands perfectly still, not daring to move, so as not to risk stepping on a single chick.

      That’s how the plane stays balanced.
      And for the elephant, it’s the first test of its noble nature.

      Fascinated by this behavior, scientists have studied the elephant’s brain and discovered spindle cells—rare neurons also found in humans.
      These are associated with self-awareness, empathy, and complex social perception.

      In other words, an elephant is not only physically huge; it’s an emotional giant, too.
      It feels, understands, and acts with silent wisdom.

      Leonardo da Vinci, deeply fascinated by nature, once wrote about elephants:

      “The elephant embodies righteousness, reason, and temperance.”

      He also noted:
      The elephant enters the river and bathes with a certain dignity, as if wishing to purify itself from all evil.
      If it finds a lost person, it gently guides them back to the right path.
      It never walks alone: always in a group, always led by a guide.

      It is modest.
      Mating happens only at night, away from the herd, and before returning to the group, the elephant bathes.
      If it encounters another herd on its way, it gently moves them aside with its trunk, careful not to hurt anyone.

      But perhaps the most touching thing is this:
      When an elephant senses the end is near, it leaves the herd and goes to die alone, in a secluded place.

      Why?

      To spare the younger ones the pain of watching it die.

      Out of modesty. Out of compassion. Out of dignity.

      Three rare virtues.
      Even among humans.

      D Online
      D Online
      Doctor Phibes
      wrote 26 days ago last edited by
      #2437

      @Mik said in Mildly interesting:

      When an elephant senses the end is near, it leaves the herd and goes to die alone, in a secluded place.

      Why?

      To spare the younger ones the pain of watching it die.

      Alternatively, it could be because it just can't take any more of their bullshit.

      I was only joking

      1 Reply Last reply
      • H Offline
        H Offline
        Horace
        wrote 26 days ago last edited by
        #2438

        My new best friend ChatGPT does not think highly of the veracity of some of those anecdotes about elephants.

        Education is extremely important.

        1 Reply Last reply
        • M Offline
          M Offline
          Mik
          wrote 26 days ago last edited by
          #2439

          Yeah, well, it’s artificial, so….

          Still, many animals go off alone to die because they know they are vulnerable.

          “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

          1 Reply Last reply
          • J jon-nyc
            28 days ago

            IMG_5688.png

            A Offline
            A Offline
            AndyD
            wrote 26 days ago last edited by
            #2440

            @jon-nyc said in Mildly interesting:

            IMG_5688.png

            The London Metro is a free newspaper. I'm guessing the reference is to the Tube or London Underground. More daily/yearly users?

            D J 2 Replies Last reply 26 days ago
            • A AndyD
              26 days ago

              @jon-nyc said in Mildly interesting:

              IMG_5688.png

              The London Metro is a free newspaper. I'm guessing the reference is to the Tube or London Underground. More daily/yearly users?

              D Online
              D Online
              Doctor Phibes
              wrote 26 days ago last edited by
              #2441

              @AndyD said in Mildly interesting:

              The London Metro is a free newspaper. I'm guessing the reference is to the Tube or London Underground. More daily/yearly users?

              At least they didn't call it the subway, which is of course a small fast food establishment outside a number of tube stations.

              I was only joking

              1 Reply Last reply
              • M Mik
                26 days ago

                8da311c2-40da-4600-81c7-38c1117c22f6-image.png

                When an elephant needs to be transported by plane from one country to another—for example, from India to the United States—its crate is filled with… tiny chicks.

                Yes, you read that right: little, fragile chicks.

                Why?

                Because despite their enormous size, elephants are deeply afraid of causing harm. Throughout the entire flight, the elephant stands perfectly still, not daring to move, so as not to risk stepping on a single chick.

                That’s how the plane stays balanced.
                And for the elephant, it’s the first test of its noble nature.

                Fascinated by this behavior, scientists have studied the elephant’s brain and discovered spindle cells—rare neurons also found in humans.
                These are associated with self-awareness, empathy, and complex social perception.

                In other words, an elephant is not only physically huge; it’s an emotional giant, too.
                It feels, understands, and acts with silent wisdom.

                Leonardo da Vinci, deeply fascinated by nature, once wrote about elephants:

                “The elephant embodies righteousness, reason, and temperance.”

                He also noted:
                The elephant enters the river and bathes with a certain dignity, as if wishing to purify itself from all evil.
                If it finds a lost person, it gently guides them back to the right path.
                It never walks alone: always in a group, always led by a guide.

                It is modest.
                Mating happens only at night, away from the herd, and before returning to the group, the elephant bathes.
                If it encounters another herd on its way, it gently moves them aside with its trunk, careful not to hurt anyone.

                But perhaps the most touching thing is this:
                When an elephant senses the end is near, it leaves the herd and goes to die alone, in a secluded place.

                Why?

                To spare the younger ones the pain of watching it die.

                Out of modesty. Out of compassion. Out of dignity.

                Three rare virtues.
                Even among humans.

                A Offline
                A Offline
                Axtremus
                wrote 26 days ago last edited by
                #2442

                @Mik said in Mildly interesting:

                8da311c2-40da-4600-81c7-38c1117c22f6-image.png

                When an elephant needs to be transported by plane from one country to another—for example, from India to the United States—its crate is filled with… tiny chicks.

                Yes, you read that right: little, fragile chicks.

                Why?

                Because despite their enormous size, elephants are deeply afraid of causing harm. Throughout the entire flight, the elephant stands perfectly still, not daring to move, so as not to risk stepping on a single chick.

                That’s how the plane stays balanced.
                And for the elephant, it’s the first test of its noble nature.

                Fascinated by this behavior, scientists have studied the elephant’s brain and discovered spindle cells—rare neurons also found in humans.
                These are associated with self-awareness, empathy, and complex social perception.

                In other words, an elephant is not only physically huge; it’s an emotional giant, too.
                It feels, understands, and acts with silent wisdom.

                Leonardo da Vinci, deeply fascinated by nature, once wrote about elephants:

                “The elephant embodies righteousness, reason, and temperance.”

                He also noted:
                The elephant enters the river and bathes with a certain dignity, as if wishing to purify itself from all evil.
                If it finds a lost person, it gently guides them back to the right path.
                It never walks alone: always in a group, always led by a guide.

                It is modest.
                Mating happens only at night, away from the herd, and before returning to the group, the elephant bathes.
                If it encounters another herd on its way, it gently moves them aside with its trunk, careful not to hurt anyone.

                But perhaps the most touching thing is this:
                When an elephant senses the end is near, it leaves the herd and goes to die alone, in a secluded place.

                Why?

                To spare the younger ones the pain of watching it die.

                Out of modesty. Out of compassion. Out of dignity.

                Three rare virtues.
                Even among humans.

                The modern GOP is not worthy of the elephant logo.

                1 Reply Last reply
                • L Offline
                  L Offline
                  LuFins Dad
                  wrote 26 days ago last edited by
                  #2443

                  The Democrat party is perfectly worthy of the braying jackass.

                  The Brad

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  • A AndyD
                    26 days ago

                    @jon-nyc said in Mildly interesting:

                    IMG_5688.png

                    The London Metro is a free newspaper. I'm guessing the reference is to the Tube or London Underground. More daily/yearly users?

                    J Online
                    J Online
                    jon-nyc
                    wrote 25 days ago last edited by
                    #2444

                    @AndyD said in Mildly interesting:

                    @jon-nyc said in Mildly interesting:

                    IMG_5688.png

                    The London Metro is a free newspaper. I'm guessing the reference is to the Tube or London Underground. More daily/yearly users?

                    No it meant London metro area. I didn’t post the associated text.

                    "You never know what worse luck your bad luck has saved you from."
                    -Cormac McCarthy

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    • A Offline
                      A Offline
                      AndyD
                      wrote 25 days ago last edited by
                      #2445

                      I didn't even think of it in this context and lived there for 35 years! Greater London is widely used, as is commuter belt.

                      Wiki says it's a constantly expanding area so rather loosely defined. Must be used in Town Planning circles.

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      • J Online
                        J Online
                        jon-nyc
                        wrote 25 days ago last edited by
                        #2446

                        It’s used in the US. ‘Dallas Metro Area’. For example

                        "You never know what worse luck your bad luck has saved you from."
                        -Cormac McCarthy

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        • M Offline
                          M Offline
                          Mik
                          wrote 25 days ago last edited by
                          #2447

                          Here it’s referred to as Greater Cincinnati.

                          “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

                          L 1 Reply Last reply 25 days ago
                          • J Online
                            J Online
                            jon-nyc
                            wrote 25 days ago last edited by
                            #2448

                            I think in the US it comes from the census bureau using ‘MSA’ - Metropolitan Statistical Area.

                            "You never know what worse luck your bad luck has saved you from."
                            -Cormac McCarthy

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            • M Mik
                              25 days ago

                              Here it’s referred to as Greater Cincinnati.

                              L Offline
                              L Offline
                              LuFins Dad
                              wrote 25 days ago last edited by
                              #2449

                              @Mik said in Mildly interesting:

                              Here it’s referred to as Greater Cincinnati.

                              Outside of Cincinnati, it’s referred to as Cintucky.

                              Seriously, though? In DC, the term is used to represent both the train system, and the general region, including areas that fall out side of the strict DC border… Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County are all considered to be part of the Washington, DC Metro Area.

                              The Brad

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              • M Offline
                                M Offline
                                Mik
                                wrote 24 days ago last edited by
                                #2450

                                The Kyoto International Conference Center (ICC Kyoto) features a visible seismic damper in its underground parking, engineered by Kajima Corporation, one of Japan’s leading construction firms. This red steel component is a hysteretic damper, designed to deform under seismic stress and convert kinetic energy into heat, reducing structural loads on the column.
                                The damper forms part of Kajima’s Seismic Isolation System (KSI) technologies, developed after the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, which exposed critical weaknesses in mid-century concrete structures. These systems have since been widely adopted in public infrastructure retrofits across Japan.
                                ICC Kyoto, designed by Sachio Otani and opened in 1966, is a key site for Japan’s architectural modernism. While the main brutalist structure remains intact, its annexes have undergone retrofitting to meet post-1995 seismic standards. Kajima’s decision to leave the device exposed supports inspection visibility and reflects Japan’s approach to seismic transparency in structural design.

                                alt text

                                “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                • M Offline
                                  M Offline
                                  Mik
                                  wrote 23 days ago last edited by
                                  #2451

                                  Locations of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution

                                  alt text

                                  “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  • M Offline
                                    M Offline
                                    mark
                                    wrote 23 days ago last edited by
                                    #2452

                                    1000004599.jpg

                                    D 1 Reply Last reply 23 days ago
                                    • M mark
                                      23 days ago

                                      1000004599.jpg

                                      D Online
                                      D Online
                                      Doctor Phibes
                                      wrote 23 days ago last edited by
                                      #2453

                                      @mark said in Mildly interesting:

                                      1000004599.jpg

                                      I had a great Aunt who looked a lot like that

                                      I was only joking

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      • H Offline
                                        H Offline
                                        Horace
                                        wrote 23 days ago last edited by
                                        #2454

                                        Link to video

                                        Education is extremely important.

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        • M Offline
                                          M Offline
                                          Mik
                                          wrote 23 days ago last edited by
                                          #2455

                                          Never saw a sequence like THAT in basketball.

                                          “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

                                          1 Reply Last reply
                                          Reply
                                          • Reply as topic
                                          Log in to reply
                                          • Oldest to Newest
                                          • Newest to Oldest
                                          • Most Votes

                                          2445/2515

                                          8 Jun 2025, 07:09


                                          • Login

                                          • Don't have an account? Register

                                          • Login or register to search.
                                          2445 out of 2515
                                          • First post
                                            2445/2515
                                            Last post
                                          0
                                          • Categories
                                          • Recent
                                          • Tags
                                          • Popular
                                          • Users
                                          • Groups