Dovi's Digest Volume 18
A weekly newsletter for all your intellectual, spiritual and physical needs
Hi All, and welcome to Volume 18 of Dovi’s Digest.
As I sit down to write this edition, I realise I have no real digest related news. Last week was the mail list saga, two weeks ago was our first edition that went out as an actual mailing list. I’m relatively lucky that this week was pretty newsworthy around the world. Historic peace deals, massive fires and hurricanes are just a few that go on the highlight reel, which means I have a lot to work with. But against all reason, I’m completely disregarding that. You’ve probably heard enough about it all anyway. This is your escape, your virtual spa day. So, instead of me writing a preamble, I’m going to play some relaxing music, and you can just sit back and think about all the people you’re going to share the Digest with, because that is what brings you true joy.
In this week’s edition we have a brilliant piece by Tom Junod detailing his search for the person whose photo is one of the most haunting and visceral from 9/11, “The Falling Man”. In addition, there is the usual mix of drugs, extreme endurance, looting and pillaging, and cures for stress. I hope you enjoy.
There were five correct answers to last week’s riddle. Well done to Jade Weiner, Daniel Rab, Kevin Levy, Ori Tobias, and Yisroel Greenberg (Who gave the answer in the form of a riddle!). The answer and this week’s riddle are below. There was also a fair amount of confusion after last week’s answer, and frankly, it’s justified. The given answer was 4 curves, even though there wasn’t an inflection point. Akiva Crouse gave a very elegant solution, which is also below.
To my Jewish readers who will be celebrating Rosh Hashanah over the next few days, I wish you a year of happiness, health, light, love, and laughter.
To everyone else, have a great weekend!
Keep those articles (and everything else) coming!
All the best
Dovi
And now, the articles:
An unforgettable story.
Army Ranger School Is a Laboratory of Human Endurance
The military's toughest training challenges have a lot in common with outdoor sufferfests like the Barkley Marathons and the Leadville Trail 100: you have to be fit and motivated to make the starting line, but your mind and spirit are what carry you to the end. A Ranger graduate breaks down an ordeal that shapes some of the nation's finest soldiers.
Alaric the Goth wanted to be part of the empire. Instead he helped bring it down.
How America Lost the War on Drugs
After 35 years and $500 billion, drugs are as cheap and plentiful as ever. An anatomy of a failure.
The Simple Dutch Cure for Stress
Life taking its toll? Uitwaain may be for you.
Tencent: The Ultimate Outsider(Courtesy of Isaac Lipschitz)
The most important company you don’t know much about.
(As an aside, this Not Boring blog which Isaac put me on to is really excellent, give it a read!)
Tell Americans that you plan to cross the United States by train and their reaction will range from amusement at your spellbinding eccentricity to naked horror.
Quote of the Week:
“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language, and next year’s words await another voice.” – T. S. Eliot
Facts of the Week:
Indonesia has a volcano that emits blue flames.
Iceland has more volcanos than footballers.
Cartoon of the Week:
Brainteaser of the Week:
What do the following words have in common?
Awning
East
Earned
Last week’s (and the previous week’s) Brainteaser and answer:
The following is a clue for what science related word?
4N6
Answer: Forensics
Volume 16 answer
Using the first three shapes values as a guide, find the value that corresponds to the last shape.
Answer:
21. Each number displays the number of straight lines, followed by the square of the number of curves. The last shape has two straight lines and one curved line.
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Is there something you particularly liked or didn’t like? Let me know at dovisdigest@gmail.com