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submitted 1 year ago by bady@lemmy.ml to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

Loss in terms of money or efforts. Could be recent or ancient.

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[-] Etterra@lemmy.world 77 points 1 year ago

When the Spanish were raping the New World in the 1500s for gold, they dumped enormous quantities of platinum into the ocean because it was the wrong kind of shiny metal. Nobody in Europe had any clue how valuable the stuff was, only that it was often used to counterfeit gold. But since it wasn't gold, or even silver, everyone thought it was worthless. This was exasperated by the fact that nobody could melt the stuff until the 1800s. But mostly it was just not yellow enough for the idiots at the time.

[-] Hyperi0n@lemmy.film 18 points 1 year ago

You don't hold onto a useless material for 400 years hoping it has some value in the future.

[-] PitzNR@sh.itjust.works 24 points 1 year ago

Ever heard of the cables drawer? Bet you feel real stupid now

[-] Hyperi0n@lemmy.film -2 points 1 year ago

No. I pair and clean my out monthly.

this post was submitted on 04 Aug 2023
306 points (99.7% liked)

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