Things I learned lately 8 Feb

• The basement where The Oregonian was once printed in Portland is now a fibre optic exchange for the internet. Fitting.
• There is no evidence that viking helmets had horns on them. The hats suddenly got horns thanks to creative writers in the 1800s.
• There was no such thing as a Brontosaurus, even though paleontologists claimed there was back in the late 19th century.
• Germany plans to power itself on 80% renewable energy by 2050. They're at 25% now, an increase of 5% in one year.
• Doctors seem to have forgotten what was once a commonplace assumption, that emotions (and stress) are deeply implicated in both the development of illness, addictions and disorders, and in their healing.
• Canada has 200,000km of coastline.
• The Alberta town of Canmore uses some of the money it collects from speeders to reward drivers seen driving under the speed limit in the form of a lottery. The prizes are $250 gift certificates to the local business of their choice.
• The VW Beetle of the late 1950s only had a top speed of 68mph (109km/h). The new 1959 Austin Mini had a top speed of 72mph (116km/h).
• Moscow is having the snowiest winter in 100 years.
• Disney doesn't just plan on making 3 new Star Wars movies. They plan on making a lot. Possibly one  for each major character.