Dovi’s Digest Volume 72
A weekly newsletter for all your intellectual, spiritual, and physical needs
Well hello readers! Welcome to Volume 72 of Dovi’s Digest.
As I wrote a few weeks ago, summer is beginning here in South Africa. Because this is happening in the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite is taking place in The North. Days are getting shorter, leaves are turning orange and then falling off, and apparently pumpkin spice lattes are all the rage. This also means that many animals are preparing to hibernate for the winter.
Now honestly, hibernation sounds like one of the best things ever. You get to eat whatever you want for a month or so (the fattier the better), the more weight you gain the better, and then you get to sleep for a few months. And all of this is done in the name of survival. What a win.
This leads me quite nicely to the real point of this week’s intro: Fat Bear week. I mentioned it last year, and I’ll mention in again. As a quick refresher, the Katmai National Park in Alaska has begun to pit its bears against each other (theoretically) in a bracket style tournament to see which of its bears has gained the most weight and will be crowned the biggest chonk. It’s in good fun and for a good cause. Here’s the link to find out more about it and to vote.
In honour of this, the riddle, cartoon and the tweet are marginally bear themed. Enjoy!
In addition, there are articles about how metal heads are the kindest people, forged Rembrandts, the cultural appropriation of the swastika, and a beautifully sad piece about the repatriation of a brother’s body after a tragic accident.
There were TWO correct answers to last week’s brainteaser, well done to Hazel Levine and Steven Kaplan!! The answer and this week’s riddle are below.
Keep those articles (and everything else) coming,
Have a great week,
Dovi
And now, the articles:
The Beautiful World of Heavy Metal
Why does a genre obsessed with death attract the kindest people?
Road Built by Biblical Villain Uncovered in Jerusalem
(Courtesy of Doctor Stan Wolberg)
A long-buried street that led pilgrims to the Jewish Temple 2,000 years ago was commissioned by Roman governor Pontius Pilate.
“It helped me get away from crime”: Cape Town’s College of Magic – a Photo Essay
Photographer Tommy Trenchard documents students whose stories of transformation at the Hogwarts of South Africa are more than just fairy tales.
How We Proved a Rembrandt Painting Owned by the University of Pretoria Was a Fake
The paintings of Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn are displayed in prestigious art galleries in capital cities around the world. But one small painting, donated to the University of Pretoria, is a fake.
Porno Hustlers of The Atari Age
The newly unearthed history behind one of the most offensive video games ever made.
The Ancient Symbol That Was Hijacked By Evil
How an auspicious sacred sign was twisted to become the graphic embodiment of hate and intolerance. Kalpana Sunder explores the extraordinary history of a potent emblem.
The Water in May
In a letter to his young son, the actor Ken Leung tells the story of his brother, who tragically drowned in Thailand, and the incredible journey it took to bring him home.
Quote of the Week:
“You’ll find that implementing small changes can have a significant impact on your life. Remember – little hinges swing big doors.” — S. J. Scott
Facts of the Week:
Telescopes look back in time.
Bus stops for bees increase biodiversity.
Squashed apple skins can be made into shoes.
Most of the planet’s life is found in just 17 countries.
William Shakespeare died on the same day he was born.
Christmas trees were once a celebrity trend.
Making one burger uses more water than you drink in three years.
Knitted sweaters protect penguins against oil spills.
Recycled jeans can keep houses warm.
Most of the Internet lies underwater.
Cartoon of the Week:
Tweet of the Week:
Headline of the Week:
(Courtesy of Ori Tobias)
Brainteaser of the Week:
A man builds a house where all the sides have southern exposure. A big bear walks past. What colour is the bear? Why?
Last week’s Brainteaser and answer:
Rearrange the following letters to give three seven-letter words.
What are they?
A C E R S S T
Answer:
Actress, recasts, casters.