A weekly newsletter for all your intellectual, spiritual, and physical needs
Hello everybody! Welcome to Volume 155 of Dovi’s Digest.
This week’s edition of DD marks three years since the first issue was banged out late one Thursday night. As I had read many good articles that week (remember, this was mid 2020 so it was peak covid and I had time), I decided on a whim that instead of sending them out willy-nilly, I would just combine them into one simple email. I threw in a random cartoon and a fun fact as a sweetener. The next week I decided to do the same and I haven’t stopped since. From that initial 20 or so friends who I was trying not to spam, the Digest has grown to hundreds of subscribers from all over the world.
Each week I read 20+ articles, with the express reason of weeding out the dross, curating the survivors, and then sharing only the best ones with you. I enjoy it immensely, and the emails I get each week with comments and or ideas tell me that many of you enjoy it too.
We’ve gone through a few different iterations over the three years. Initially it was just a group email (not even Bcc’d), there was a brief fling with Mailchimp, finally landing in our current home on Substack.
I do work hard on it, with my editors helping me along the way. They’re integral to the process, whether it’s removing an, unnecessary, comma, or cautioning me against certain cartoons.
Most importantly, thank you to YOU dear reader! I’d still put this together, but it’s gratifying to know that there are so many people who are getting a kick out the collection of miscellany I throw your way.
To many more years of the odd and the interesting!
Of course the headline article is about time, and how humans first began measuring it. It’s more recent than you’d think.
Your added extras this week are all videos. The first two have a horse theme: watch trainers unconsciously mimicking the moves of their horses show jumping, guaranteed to make you smile, and also learn what donkey basketball is.
The third thing is for the history buffs. Ever wondered how those old ships that took on pirates worked (think cannons and sails)? Well, there’s a video for that.
The Dovi’s Digest Socials are updated daily, and have new and different content. If you’re jonesing for you fix and can’t wait for Friday, give us a follow. Check it out at the links below (or scan the QR code for our insta):
The Digest is built on readers just like you who send me articles to read each week. If you enjoy reading it, 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 FIVE correct answers to last week’s brainteaser. Well done to Rachel Goldstuck, Ayelet Garber, Ari Raff, Tanya Perel, and Ariel Subotzky! The answer and this week’s puzzle are below.
Aside from the inexorable ticking of the clock, read about the smallest squatters you’ve seen, the history of some common words, the blazing inferno that will mark the end of the International Space Station, see how well you know your favourite social media logos (I got 6/8), find out why those candid shots of your favourite celeb are just ads, and the perilous lives of heiresses who are trying to get as far away from their family as possible.
Keep those articles (and everything else) coming.
Have a great weekend,
Dovi
And now, the articles:
Who Invented the Measurement of Time?
The first timekeeping devices were probably natural materials lost to the ages, but the ancient Egyptians were the first to leave records of their timekeeping methods.
Tiny Dolls Appeared In Mailbox With A Note: “We’ve Decided To Live Here”
Nearly a year later, the dolls are still there, now with items including furnishings and a service dog, all mysteriously appearing under the cover of night.
The Interesting Etymologies of 71 Everyday Words
Etymologies can be hard to establish beyond a doubt. Rather than tracing every word in this list back to its ultimate origin point, here’s (at least) one interesting way station each of these common words made on its journey to the present day.
A Fiery End? How The ISS Will End Its Life In Orbit
As big as a football field and heavier than 200 elephants, de-orbiting the International Space Station represents a monumental challenge. But is there another future for the space station?
The Colour Quiz
You use these apps all the time, but can you identify the shades of their logos?
Your Favourite Celebrity Street Style Photo Is Probably an #Ad
How "It" girls, publicists and paparazzi conspire to create these seemingly candid fashion moments.
The Fugitive Princesses of Dubai
As the emirate’s ruler espoused gender equality, four royal women staked their lives on escaping his control.
Quote of the Week:
“The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made.” – Groucho Marx
Facts of the Week:
Click beetles can withstand 40 times more G-force than a fighter pilot.
Montenegro is a member of NATO but has no fighter planes.
In Japanese bullfighting, there are no bullfighters.
The only ants in Iceland are in a zoo.
Indigo plants aren't blue.
Dogs see in blue and yellow.
Lizards in New Guinea have lime-green blood.
There are over 4000 pubs in the UK called the Red Lion.
In 2017, a pub in Cardiff, apologised to a group of priests who had been asked to leave by staff who assumed they were on a stag do.
The Popemobile used by John Paul II on his visit to Ireland can be rented out for stag parties.
After the Reformation, pubs called the Pope’s Head were changed to The King's Head.
Cartoon of the Week:
Tweet of the Week:
Headline of the Week:
(Courtesy of Jade Weiner)
Brainteaser of the Week:
The letters below may seem incoherent, but each line contains two six-letter words that are antonyms of each other. The letters that form each of these individual antonyms appear from left to right.
Example: Given CLLUOOTSCEHN, the answer would be CLUTCH and LOOSEN. Can you find the antonyms in the clues below?
1. DEARPRAIRVET
2. AVAPNPISEAHR
3. RAECCFEUPTSE
4. DSUEMPAPNLDY
5. SDANAFGEETRY
Last Week’s Brainteaser and Answer:
Which name from Group B best fits with those in Group A?
Group A
1) Timothy Isaac Mathers
2) Jennifer Elizabeth Napier
3) Richard Ivan Christopher King
4) Susan Ursula Zoe Young
Group B
1) Fredrick Adam Thompson
2) Elizabeth Lorraine French
3) Jacob Alan Keegan Edwards
4) Zachary Oscar Otto Miller
5) Debra Alicia Tracy Elms
6) Zelda Irene Potter
Answer:
Jacob Alan Keegan Edwards. The initials of the names in Group A spell a common short form of the first name in each entry.