A weekly newsletter for all your intellectual, spiritual, and physical needs
Good morning friends!! Welcome to Volume 103 of Dovi’s Digest.
I’m going to start this week’s intro with a fact. Did you know that science knows more about the moon than it does about ocean floor? Is this not fascinating to you? We know more about something 370,000 odd kilometres away from us than something that is only a few kilometres from more than a third of people on earth. Every year we discover new species; new organisms that can survive the crushing pressure that can be found at the bottom of the ocean. These often sedentary species live in total darkness, only feeding and mating when the right thing comes their way – not so different from some people I know.
I have a morbid fascination with the ocean. I guess it’s the unknown that draws me to it. I don’t particularly like swimming in it, but paradoxically love SCUBA diving. Being able to see what’s about to eat me is more comforting somehow. This attraction has come through in a few of the articles I’ve posted, like the guy who went to the deepest part of all the oceans, being the first to do so, (as a tie-in to the above fact, it bears repeating that more people have walked on the moon than have been to the deepest part of the ocean), or this crazy infographic of how deep the ocean actually is (you have to scroll a looooong way).
I mention all of this because last week in Cape Town, something rare happened. Something that was nevertheless recognised by everyone. A giant squid washed up on Kommetjie Beach. A true denizen of the deep, the giant squid is more often found at depths of up to 3000m than at famous surf spots. Since people started sailing the oceans, the giant squid has struck fear into the hearts of hardened salts and landlubbers alike. The legend of the Kraken was inspired by it, with stories of ships being swallowed whole by a terrifying sea monster. In reality, the giant squid can “only” reach sizes of between 12 and 13 metres (about the length of a bus) and weigh up to 300kg (colossal squid are heavier, but shorter). The theory for this particular example is that while it was in shallow water it was hit by a ship and died.
Like most other deep sea creatures, we know startlingly little about giant squid. In fact, the first images of it in its natural habitat were only taken in 2004. However, scientists are trying to change that. This week’s headline article is about a man who is not only trying to catch one of these elusive creatures, but to raise them in captivity.
For the fun of it, here’s an XKCD comic that shows the depth of lakes and oceans relative to famous things. See if you can spot the music joke.
Do you enjoy the Digest? Would you like it to get better? Then please consider sharing it, as the more articles I’m sent, the better it is. It only takes a few seconds, and all you need to do is click here 👇. Thank you!
There were TWO correct answers to last week’s brainteaser. Well done to Ayelet Garber and Ariel Subotzky. The answer and this week’s riddle are below.
If you can’t bear to try fathom the deep unknown, I got ya. This week you can read about why having unrealistic expectations is good for you, how accordion music has led to a gang war, what giving up caffeine does to your body, find out if general anaesthesia can have long term cognitive effects, and how the world’s biggest bee is warning us about possible catastrophe.
Keep those articles (and everything else) coming,
Have a great week,
Dovi
And now, the articles:
The Squid Hunter
Can Steve O’Shea capture the sea’s most elusive creature?
This Is Why You Should Have Unrealistic Expectations
If you’ve ever said something like, “That’ll never happen for me,” “Why do I even try?” or “I’m not smart enough to do that,” to yourself, this post is for you.
The Deadly Accordion Wars of Lesotho
(Courtesy of Josh Friedlander)
Rivalry between stars of a unique accordion-based style of music in the southern African kingdom of Lesotho has sparked years of deadly gang warfare that has turned the tiny country into the murder capital of the continent.
What Happens to Your Body When You Give Up Caffeine
The withdrawals are real.
The Hidden Long-Term Risks of Surgery: ‘It Gives People’s Brains a Hard Time’
Operations can have cognitive side-effects, particularly in the over-65s but also in the very young. How can science minimise the danger?
Ancient “Technological Powerhouse” Discovered in Israel
Move over, Tesla.
The Parable of the World’s Largest Bee
The rediscovery of Wallace’s giant bee uncovers disheartening truths about the tenuous fate of hidden insect species.
Quote of the Week
“We will have eternity to celebrate the victories but only a few hours before sunset to win them.” —Amy Carmichael
Facts of the Week
In the last 300 years, the average size of a wine glass has increased almost sevenfold.
Jeff Goldblum puts orange juice on his cereal.
The Pope drives a blue Ford Focus.
Ísbíltúr is Icelandic for going for a drive and ending up with an ice cream.
Eating ice cream for breakfast can increase mental alertness.
One in five Britons cannot name a single author of literature.
The first, second, and third most common sentences in Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight novels are “I sighed”, “he sighed”, and “I shrugged”.
George Orwell ran the village shop in Wallington, Hertfordshire.
Cartoon of the Week
Tweet of the Week
Headline of the Week
I *highly* recommend watching the video for some excellent bird puns.
Brainteaser of the Week
Jack is looking at Anne, but Anne is looking at George. Jack is married, but George is not. Is a married person looking at an unmarried person?
A: Yes
B: No
C: Cannot be determined
Last Week’s Brainteaser and Answer:
Replace each letter in the below words with one of the symbols: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + - x ÷ =, so that the word becomes a balanced equation.
Within the word, the same letter becomes the same symbol and different letters become different symbols.
Example: For CLEVER, the answer would be 9 + 1 = 10
LOLLIPOP
SEASHELL
DELETED
ESCAPEES
REFERRAL
Answer:
LOLLIPOP…1 + 11 = 6 + 6
SEASHELL… 91 + 9 = 100
DELETED… 89 + 9 = 98
ESCAPEES… 25 x 9 = 225
REFERRAL… 43 = 344 ÷ 8