Dovi’s Digest Volume 86
A weekly newsletter for all your intellectual, spiritual, and physical needs
Buongiorno friends!! Welcome to 2022 and to Volume 86 of Dovi’s Digest.
Well, its early January, and my Facebook feed is full of people posting a picture of a salad with the caption New year, new me!!!, the gyms are very busy, and a large portion of society is “trying to get their life back on track”. Each year so many of us make resolutions to try and improve who we are as people. And invariably, for most, these resolutions fail to stick. Why? Is it that we don’t actually care enough? Maybe it’s because we don’t have the perseverance or grit to stick with these new regimes? According to many psychologists, its often because it’s too much too quickly. It’s difficult to go from eating the proverbial cheeseburger twice a day to kale (mainly cos in general, kale sucks). And your body will rebel if you’ve spent the last 10 months sitting on your ass, and now want to run 5km six days a week. But something that is even more true, is that having the basis of hating yourself or your habits is not a good motivator in the long term.
This week’s headline article discusses just that, and how it’s important to accept yourself for who you are, warts and all. None of us are perfect, and none of us have our lives completely together, despite what social media may show. So, to those of you who have made resolutions, regardless of how you’re going about them, good luck! I believe in you! You got this! And for those of you who haven’t, I still believe in you, and you still got this!
An additional story I’d like to highlight is the one about the James Webb telescope, which was recently launched into space after years of setbacks and cost overruns. The complexity of it, and what it plans to do for us, is truly impressive.
For those of you who are new to the Digest (and there are a number of you), many of the articles come from readers just like yourself, and the more you send me, the better the digest is. But even more so, the Digest grows much quicker (and is therefore better) when you refer friends, family or even enemies (I don’t judge) who you think may enjoy a weekly 5 minute read that has something for everyone, whether it be thought provoking articles, interesting facts, or fun cartoons and tweets. All you need to do is hit this button right here.
I’d really appreciate it!
There were ZERO correct answers to last week’s brainteaser. I’ll leave it up for another week because its a good un. There’s also a new one for this week.
In addition to self-improvement and looking into the cosmos, we have the usual eclectic mix of articles. Whether it’s when tough love goes too far, an old invention with modern uses, how to chill better, why we love videos of people being productive, or even the more intense (and kinda funny) book reviews of 2021, there is something for everyone. Enjoy!
Keep those articles (and everything else) coming,
Have a great week,
Dovi
And now, the articles:
New Year, Same Old You! The Secret to Self-Improvement Is Embracing Your Messy, Imperfect Life
It’s only when you learn to accept who you are, flaws and all, that you can make real, worthwhile change.
The James Webb Space Telescope Has Launched: Now Comes the Hard Part
After years of delay, the most ambitious observatory ever built has at last left Earth. It now faces a high-stakes series of deployments in deep space.
Tough Love or Verbal Abuse?
For coaches and parents, the new lines are hard to define.
The Most Scathing Book Reviews of 2021
“The deeper you go you start to wonder if he’s actually gaslighting himself.”
The Battery Invented 120 Years Before Its Time
At the turn of the 20th Century, Thomas Edison invented a battery with the unusual quirk of producing hydrogen. Now, 120 years later, the battery is coming into its own.
How To Calm Your Inner Storm
When your emotions become too painful and overwhelming, regain control using skills from dialectical behaviour therapy.
Why We Can’t Get Enough of Watching Other People Organize Their Lives
Whether it's through watching Notion setups on TikTok or bullet journal videos on YouTube, you don't have to be productive to feel productive.
Quote of the Week:
“If you want to be successful, you must respect one rule: never lie to yourself.”
— Paulo Coelho
Coelho's quote pairs nicely with this one by professional hockey player Jason Spezza:
"A big skill, if you want to play for a long time, is just being honest in assessing how you're playing. If you wait until the coach tells you you're not playing good, a lot of times it's too late."
Facts of the Week:
The findings of a 2015 study about procrastination were inconclusive because half the participants didn't get around to finishing the survey.
The Procrastinators’ Club of America has earmarked 5 September as Be Late for Something Day.
Neil Armstrong's application to become an astronaut arrived at NASA a week after the deadline.
Neil Armstrong space suit had 21 layers and weighed 36 kg.
NASA is designing a Clockwork Rover for Venus: The planet is so hot, it would melt the electronics in a normal one.
Three NASA astronauts have appeared in Star Trek.
The first series of Star Trek was made by Lucille Ball’s production company. She originally thought it was a show about celebrities on tour.
David Bowie first appeared on television aged 17, as the founder of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men.
Cartoon of the Week:
Tweet of the Week:
(Not quite a tweet, but it has the same energy, apologies for the resolution)
Headline of the Week:
(Courtesy of Jackie Labovitz)
Brainteaser of the Week:
Find a word to fit the first clue, then add one letter to give a word to fit the second clue.
What are the words?
A SHAPE BEGINNING
Last Week’s Brainteaser and Answer:
Candle stubs are being moulded into new candles.
Nine stubs are needed to make each new candle.
If there are 977 candle stubs, how many candles can possibly be made in total?
Answer:
Not yet you don’t.