Dovi's Digest Volume 31
A weekly newsletter for all your intellectual, spiritual and physical needs
Hi All, and welcome to Volume 31 of Dovi’s Digest.
We’re in that odd time of year that isn’t quite the holidays, but definitely isn’t not the holidays. Case in point, I spent the entire time writing this newsletter convinced that this was the last edition of the year, waxing lyrical about 2020 and what it’s meant to me and the world blah blah blah. Thankfully, one of my lovely editors managed to catch this before I published, saving me from blushes and inability to look readers in the eye. On that note, I really do want to thank my two editors who every week receive the digest late, and every week still take time out of their busy lives to help me and tell me when[sic] I sound stupid. Imagine what this would look like without them!
There was six correct answer to last week’s riddle. Well done Liron Gordon, Gila Brill, David Flax, Geoff Levy, Shmuel Moch, and Robin Nussbaum! The answer and this week’s brainteaser are below.
We have a standard mix this week, including the Bloomberg Businessweek jealousy list, articles that their contributors wish they’d written. In addition, there is a deep dive on the vaccine supply chain which I really loved. Enjoy!
Keep those articles (and everything else) coming,
All the best
Dovi
And now, the articles:
The Best Science Images of 2020
A new virus, wafer-thin solar cells, gene-edited squid and more.
My Hunt for the Original McDonald’s French-Fry Recipe
(Courtesy of Ori Tobias)
Veteran line-cooks, experts, and die-hard fans tell the story of the fries that birthed an empire, then disappeared—until now.
The Bloomberg Businessweek Jealousy List
The task to the magazine’s staff and their many contributors in the Bloomberg newsroom is always an agonizing one: Swallow your pride and acknowledge a job well done, begrudgingly if need be, by someone else. So, congratulations to those on this year’s list. You managed to make 2020 even worse for us.
This Crowdsourced 'Ratatouille' Musical is the Sweetest, Weirdest Thing to Emerge From the Pandemic
What started as a TikTok trend turned into a full blown musical based on the feel good movie about a rat who cooks, “Ratatouille”.
What Makes Rolex So Special?
(Courtesy of Eli Berkow)
An investigation into the enduring popularity of the watch brand that wears the crown.
The Agony of Liam Neeson, Action Star
He has a very particular set of skills, but. wants to use other ones too.
Developing the Coronavirus Vaccine Supply Chain
Pharmas, non-profit organisations and suppliers prepare to handle a high volume of vaccines, but component shortages and scaling up manufacturing present challenges.
Quote of the Week:
“The distinction between the past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.” – Albert Einstein
Facts of the Week:
The White House only got the ability to print double-sided in 2016.
Lyndon B. Johnson had a nozzle fitted to his shower in the White House that fired water at his genitals.
Donald Trump presses a red button on his desk when he wants the White House butler to bring him a Diet Coke.
Domino’s customers can play an order by tweeting a pizza emoji.
Wig-snatching was a common crime in 18th-century England.
Cartoon of the Week:
Brainteaser of the Week:
What numbers should replace the question marks?
14 – 70 – 19
23 – 92 – 27
19 – 57 – 22
48 – ? – ?
Last week’s Brainteaser and answer:
On each row place a three letter word that can be attached to the end of the word to the left and to the beginning of the word to the right, to give a longer word in each case.
When completed, the initial letters of the three letter words will give another word reading downwards.
What is it?
SHEEP _ _ _ HOUSE
DRAIN _ _ _ LONG
PEA _ _ _ SHELL
AIR _ _ _ POWDER
END _ _ _ NEST
OVER _ _ _ SACK
Answer:
Danger. The three letter words are DOG, AGE, NUT, GUN, EAR and RAN.
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