Dovi’s Digest Volume 269
boo frikkin' hoo 😭
A weekly newsletter for all your intellectual, spiritual, and physical needs
Hello all! Welcome to Volume 269 of Dovi’s Digest!
I’m an emotional guy. I laugh hard, I’m expressive, I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I cry. Not often full-on heaving sobs, but tearing up, with the occasional single tear dramatically falling down my cheek, and over the last two days I’ve cried – a lot. All good things thankfully, they’re happy tears, but nevertheless I’ve been crying.
Although the tears have been coming thick and fast, this isn’t always the case. Annoyingly, at some of the times I’ve wanted to cry, I haven’t been able to, and other times I’ve bawled like a baby when it’s been a little embarrassing (an example: at my brother’s wedding at the altar I was talking to him, and just totally broke down. The sort of unable to breath sort of crying. If it had just been the two of us [which I thought it was] it would’ve been ok, he’s used to me. What I didn’t know is that there was a video camera trained on us which caught everything, and live streamed it to the entire world.)
But apparently, when we cry isn’t fully up to us, it’s down to our instinct. We unconsciously make hundreds of calculations and use social cues to see whether it’s acceptable to cry, and what it will signal. Read more about it in this week’s headline article. In the meantime, I’m going to use this as an excuse for why I didn’t cry when Bambi died.
In this week’s added extras:
The most beautiful words in the English language, according to linguists.
ChatGPT means everyone is cheating in college.
How astronauts shower in space.
The secret to the perfect baked potato. (@KB)
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 was ONE correct answer to last week’s brainteaser. Well done to Jeff C! The answer and this week’s riddle are below.
Keep those articles (and everything else) coming.
Have a great weekend,
Dovi
And now, the articles:
The Hidden Calculations That Determine Whether You Will Cry
We think of tears as an overflow of emotion, but an evolutionary lens shows they’re a rational form of social signalling.
My Miserable Week in the ‘Happiest Country on Earth’
For eight years running, Finland has topped the World Happiness Report — but what exactly does it measure?
This Woman Is Hiking Colorado’s 14ers in High Heels
Just a girl, her strappy sandals, and what we can only assume are the strongest ankles on the planet.
Long Live Joyce Carol Oates’ Twitter Account: The Only Pure Space Left on This Site
The 86-year-old author’s social feed might be her greatest contribution to literature – with philosophical musings on everything from US politics to an infected foot.
How 'Wrexham Effect' Is Transforming Non-League Football
(Courtesy of Yisroel G)
A couple of years ago, a magazine article described Peter McCormack as a "budget Ryan Reynolds".
The comparison had nothing to do with their contrasting day jobs as a former advertising executive-turned podcaster and his Hollywood actor counterpart, but entirely related to their involvement in English non-league football.
The Effervescent History of Seltzer, From the Early Days of Home Delivery to Today’s Trendy Cans
A century before LaCroix or Spindrift were refrigerator staples, factories in New York City were carbonating gallons and gallons of tap water each day.
Amelia Earhart’s Reckless Final Flights
The aviator’s publicity-mad husband, George Palmer Putnam, kept pushing her to risk her life for the sake of fame.
Quote of the Week:
“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” – Louisa May Alcott
Word of the Week:
(Courtesy of JP R)
Melange
may·lawnzh/meɪˈlɒ̃ʒ/
Noun
a varied mixture.
"a melange of tender vegetables and herbs"
Do you know a word you think others should know about? Submit it here!
Facts of the Week:
When George Washington died, Napoleon ordered 10 days of mourning in France.
Winston Churchill's funeral was planned under the code name Operation Hope Not.
The middle name of 17th century English economist Nicholas Barbon and was If-Christ-had-not-died-for-thee-thou-hadst-been-damned.
The full name of Thing from The Addams Family is Thing T. Thing.
Louisa Adams, the wife of sixth U.S. President, John Quincy Adams, is the only First Lady apart from Melania Trump not to have been born in the US.
New-born babies have half as much chance of developing asthma if there's a cat in the house.
When Huskies sleep, they curl up with their tails over their nose, which traps the heat against their bodies.
One-third of the energy a python gets from a meal goes on digesting the meal.
Cartoon of the Week:
Tweet of the Week:
Headline of the Week:
(Courtesy of Naftali G)
Brainteaser of the Week:
Bob went out to buy some fishing equipment. He spent half of what he had plus $5 at the first store. At the second store, he spent half of what was left plus $4, and at the third store, he spent half of the remainder plus $3. He then had $5 left to put aside for bait. How much money did he start with?
Last week’s brainteaser:
The following words are anagrams of capital cities around the world. Unscramble the words to identify the cities.
1. SOLO
2. ANIMAL
3. LOUSE
4. MAIL
5. HASTEN
6. SAUNAS
Answer:
1. Oslo (Norway)
2. Manila (Philippines)
3. Seoul (South Korea)
4. Lima (Peru)
5. Athens (Greece)
6. Nassau (Bahamas)