A weekly newsletter for all your intellectual, spiritual, and physical needs
Marhaba, guten tag, hola, sawubona and hello all! Welcome to Volume 193 of Dovi’s Digest.
A couple of weeks ago I wrote a little about how to make a change, and about how new year’s resolutions aren’t about going all in immediately. The most successful ones start small and build up from there. Basically, what I said is that consistency is key to success and making things stick. The reason I’m revisiting this particular train of thought is because tomorrow marks a milestone for me, one that I’m going to brag about, because well, I’m damn proud of it.
Tomorrow I’ll (most likely) get a 2555-day streak on Duolingo. That means for the last SEVEN years, every day (for the most part. There are one day streak freezes which I’ve utilised on occasion) I’ve opened the app and done at least one lesson. Now, doing 10-15 minutes a day of a language isn’t a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Let’s be honest, most of us spend more time than that on personal hygiene each day (hopefully). But to make time every day is not as easy as one thinks. It means every day on holiday when your mind is on other things. After long, mentally draining days at work, you must use your brain for a little bit longer and try remember new vocab or conjugations. And I’ve managed to keep this up for seven years straight. For those of you who know me well, sticking with things is not usually my strong suit. I’ve changed jobs a good few times, careers almost as often, and moods more times than I care to count. The few constants in my life are my love of pizza, the fact that I may take an international trip at the drop of a hat, and my hairstyle.
There have been days where I’ve just wanted to stop, when I couldn’t be bothered to learn more about formal reflexive verbs. But I stuck with it, day by day, week by week, lesson by lesson. So, instead of my usual train of thought ramblings, or family stories, this week I thought I’d have a little brag. High five me!
If you do duo, or in fact anything that requires daily application, I’d love to hear your story! Just hit reply and let me know. And if you’d like to add me as a friend on duo, my username is @dovib.
There’s no actual headline article, but there are two about Duolingo.
Last year I put out the call to all of you for book recommendations. There were nearly seventy recommendations, both fiction and non-fiction, all of which were superb.
The list is all in a Google sheet which can be found here.
I would love new recommendations, so if you would like to contribute, you can either use the form here, or you can edit the sheet directly at the link above.
Learned a word you think others should know about? Submit it here!
In this week’s added extras:
A photographer creates photo realistic Simpsons characters using AI (and they’re scary good).
The Twitter account that links up sports pics with identical pieces of classic art. You can also read an interview with the creator below. He doesn’t use any tech, just his memory to make the match ups.
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 Chaim Ehrlich and Ariel Subotzky! The answer and this week’s puzzle are below.
There isn’t only language stuff. Learn how gummi bears are made with an inside view of the Haribo factory, why dogs wag their tails, find out if double dipping spread germs, read about the world’s most prolific actress who you’ve almost certainly seen, but wouldn’t recognise, and take a look at an incredible royal doll house. Enjoy!
https://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/lotto-winners/
Keep those articles (and everything else) coming.
Have a great weekend,
Dovi
And now, the articles:
Duolingo Turned Me into a Monster
Did I learn a second language? No, but I sure gained a lot of XP.
Where Gummi Bears Come From
Inside Haribo’s first US production facility, where making the chewy, rainbow-colored confections is the opposite of child’s play.
Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails? Scientists Examine the Endearing Behavior
Dogs communicate through tail-wagging, and humans may have selected for the trait during domestication.
Does Double-Dipping Really Spread Germs?
Or is it just, um, rude?
Dear Duolingo: Are Any Words the Same In All Languages?
‘I Was Told Not To Make Eye Contact With Tom Cruise’: Meet The World’s Most Prolific Film Extra
As a new film spotlights her 60-year career, record-breaking background artist Jill Goldston discusses turning down Warren Beatty’s indecent proposal and hanging out with David Bowie.
Queen Mary's Dolls' House Treasures On Show At Windsor Castle
A collection of tiny treasures from Queen Mary's Dolls' House has been put on show to mark the 100th anniversary of its creation. Featuring a miniature grand piano, the Crown Jewels, and a vacuum cleaner, it also has electricity and running water.
Quote of the Week:
“If you are in a bad mood, go for a walk. If you are still in a bad mood, go for another walk.” – Hippocrates
Word of the Week:
(Courtesy of Amy R)
Abominable
/əˈbɒm(ɪ)nəbl/[UH] + [BOM] + [UH] + [NUH] + [BUHL]
Adjective
causing moral revulsion.
"The uprising was suppressed with abominable cruelty".
2. very bad; terrible.
"What an abominable mess!"
Facts of the Week:
One in six Georgians mistakenly think their country is a member of the EU.
One-third of all flight delays in Europe are caused by French air traffic controllers.
To avoid confusion, African Reed frogs change colour during orgies.
Sex between two hummingbirds lasts three to five seconds.
Graham crackers were originally intended to reduce people’s sexual urges.
Eating nuts improves sperm count.
Fox squirrels arrange their nuts by variety.
The 40 squirrels that appear in one scene in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory spent ten months in training.
Cartoon of the Week:
Tweet of the Week:
(Courtesy of Eli B)
Headline (and Press Release) of the Week:
(Courtesy of Ayelet G)
Brainteaser of the Week:
What letter should replace the question mark below?
‘Asia’ is H
‘Cuffs’ is S
‘Ender’ is I
‘Redness’ is F
‘Fuchsia’ is ?
Last Week’s Brainteaser and Answer:
Here is a puzzle from the iconic British TV game show Only Connect.
What connects the words in each of these four groups?
Group prepared firm series
Design ideal replica mannequin
Ban pub except counter
Ignite trivial brilliance fair
Answer:
Each word in a group can be a synonym for a separate word.
Group prepared firm series = set
Design ideal replica mannequin = model
Ban pub except counter = bar
Ignite trivial brilliance fair = light
Thanks for reading Dovi’s Digest!