Curio Cabinet
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December 9, 2023
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2 minFREEHumanities Word CurioFree2 CQ
Word of the Day
: December 9, 2023\kahn-vuh-LESS\ verb
What It Means
To convalesce is to recover health and strength gradually after sickness...
with Merriam-WebsterWord of the Day
: December 9, 2023\kahn-vuh-LESS\ verb
What It Means
To convalesce is to recover health and strength gradually after sickness...
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6 minFREEWork Business CurioFree4 CQ
As part of this month’s Econ Extra Credit series , we’ll look at a study about how likely drivers were to stop for a pedestrian waiting at a crosswalk. Turns...
As part of this month’s Econ Extra Credit series , we’ll look at a study about how likely drivers were to stop for a pedestrian waiting at a crosswalk. Turns...
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FREEFootball Sporty CurioFree1 CQ
According to some fans, it’s a dark day for the Sunshine State. College football fans in Florida are befuddled after the undefeated Florida State University Seminoles were denied a spot in the 2023 College Football Playoffs. For this year, the College Football Playoff Selection Committee chose the Michigan Wolverines, the Washington Huskies, the Texas Longhorns, and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Michigan and Washington both had a record of 13-0 in their respective conferences this season, like FSU, while Texas and Alabama were both 12-1 in theirs. That FSU wasn’t picked over Texas or Alabama has been a source of ongoing debate since the committee made their announcement. However, scores aren’t the only thing the committee focuses on. They also considered FSU’s current lineup, which is quite a bit different than it was at the beginning of the season. The committee specifically cited two injuries on the team’s roster. The team’s quarterback, Jordan Travis, suffered a broken leg that ended his season back in November, and his backup, Tate Rodemaker, suffered a concussion soon after, leaving third-stringer Brock Glenn to take his place for their final game against the Louisville Cardinals on December 2. In a statement to ESPN, committee chairman Boo Corrigan explained, "Florida State is a different team than it was the first 11 weeks.” However, Travis went on X, formerly known as Twitter, in support of his team, citing the team’s season record. He said, “I wish my leg broke earlier in the season” so that they could have had the chance to prove their worth without him. At least his supporters believe he has a leg to stand on.
[Image description: A brown football in a grassy field.] Credit & copyright: filterssofly, Pixabay
According to some fans, it’s a dark day for the Sunshine State. College football fans in Florida are befuddled after the undefeated Florida State University Seminoles were denied a spot in the 2023 College Football Playoffs. For this year, the College Football Playoff Selection Committee chose the Michigan Wolverines, the Washington Huskies, the Texas Longhorns, and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Michigan and Washington both had a record of 13-0 in their respective conferences this season, like FSU, while Texas and Alabama were both 12-1 in theirs. That FSU wasn’t picked over Texas or Alabama has been a source of ongoing debate since the committee made their announcement. However, scores aren’t the only thing the committee focuses on. They also considered FSU’s current lineup, which is quite a bit different than it was at the beginning of the season. The committee specifically cited two injuries on the team’s roster. The team’s quarterback, Jordan Travis, suffered a broken leg that ended his season back in November, and his backup, Tate Rodemaker, suffered a concussion soon after, leaving third-stringer Brock Glenn to take his place for their final game against the Louisville Cardinals on December 2. In a statement to ESPN, committee chairman Boo Corrigan explained, "Florida State is a different team than it was the first 11 weeks.” However, Travis went on X, formerly known as Twitter, in support of his team, citing the team’s season record. He said, “I wish my leg broke earlier in the season” so that they could have had the chance to prove their worth without him. At least his supporters believe he has a leg to stand on.
[Image description: A brown football in a grassy field.] Credit & copyright: filterssofly, Pixabay
December 8, 2023
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7 minFREEWork Business CurioFree4 CQ
From the BBC World Service: In a widening regional labor challenge for Tesla, the Finnish Transport Workers Union has joined an ongoing dispute in support of...
From the BBC World Service: In a widening regional labor challenge for Tesla, the Finnish Transport Workers Union has joined an ongoing dispute in support of...
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2 minFREEHumanities Word CurioFree2 CQ
Word of the Day
: December 8, 2023\in-TREP-id\ adjective
What It Means
Intrepid means “fearless, bold, and brave.”
// Her college semester a...
with Merriam-WebsterWord of the Day
: December 8, 2023\in-TREP-id\ adjective
What It Means
Intrepid means “fearless, bold, and brave.”
// Her college semester a...
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FREEMind + Body Daily CurioFree1 CQ
Germany? England? Ohio? Indiana? Which nation and/or state actually invented the most festive candy of the holiday season: the candy cane? The truth is, no one is quite sure when candy canes first appeared in their current form. However, the history of peppermint candy, including peppermint sticks, is long.
Candy canes are hard candy sticks, traditionally flavored with peppermint. They feature red and white stripes and are bent at one end, so that they resemble canes. For much of human history, peppermint wasn’t used in candy, but as medicine. An ancient hybrid of watermint and spearmint plants, peppermint has been cultivated since at least 1500 B.C.E. For centuries, it was brewed in hot water or chewed by itself as a remedy for stomach aches and other digestive problems. It took a while for it to make its way into candy, though.
As for how candy canes got their shape, one tale purports that, in 1670, a German choirmaster handed out sugar sticks to children in his choir, to get them to stop fidgeting during practice. However, parents complained that candy wasn’t appropriate for a solemn place like church. To appease them, the choirmaster bent the sticks so that they resembled shepherds’ canes, thus relating them to Jesus and other shepherds in the Bible. However, there are no written records of candy canes from Germany at this time, so we’ll never know for certain if this story is true.
Despite disagreement on whether they originated in Germany or England, most historians do agree that sugar-stick candies first appeared in 17th century Europe. As for how peppermint got added to the mix, that likely happened in the 18th century, when candy and medicine were figuratively and literally mixed together. Back then, apothecaries, or pharmacists, would mix sugar with medicinal ingredients to make them more palatable. Peppermint was often added longside sugar to mask the taste of less-pleasant-tasting herbs. It was especially good at this since menthol, the chemical that gives peppermint its “cooling” effect, also makes other flavors harder to detect. Over time, candy making and drug making became separate professions, but sugar sticks with peppermint flavoring endured.
It’s only natural that Americans have also tried to take credit for inventing candy canes. Some say that an Indiana candymaker was the first to invent the “cane” shape while trying to bend candy into a “J” for “Jesus.” The tale also states that he added a red stripe to the candy to represent Christ’s blood. It’s much more likely, though, that the cane shape actually debuted in 1847, in Wooster, Ohio, when candymaker August Imgard decorated his storefront Christmas tree with the candies. They were bent simply so that they could be hung on the tree’s branches. As for the red stripe…it was probably added just to make the candies more attractive. Red-and-white striped candy canes didn’t become popular until the 20th century, when automation made it easy for companies to make and sell them en masse. That’s a bit less fun than the stories, though!
[Image description: A red-and-white candy cane sticking out of a glass jar.] Credit & copyright: TanteTati, PixabayGermany? England? Ohio? Indiana? Which nation and/or state actually invented the most festive candy of the holiday season: the candy cane? The truth is, no one is quite sure when candy canes first appeared in their current form. However, the history of peppermint candy, including peppermint sticks, is long.
Candy canes are hard candy sticks, traditionally flavored with peppermint. They feature red and white stripes and are bent at one end, so that they resemble canes. For much of human history, peppermint wasn’t used in candy, but as medicine. An ancient hybrid of watermint and spearmint plants, peppermint has been cultivated since at least 1500 B.C.E. For centuries, it was brewed in hot water or chewed by itself as a remedy for stomach aches and other digestive problems. It took a while for it to make its way into candy, though.
As for how candy canes got their shape, one tale purports that, in 1670, a German choirmaster handed out sugar sticks to children in his choir, to get them to stop fidgeting during practice. However, parents complained that candy wasn’t appropriate for a solemn place like church. To appease them, the choirmaster bent the sticks so that they resembled shepherds’ canes, thus relating them to Jesus and other shepherds in the Bible. However, there are no written records of candy canes from Germany at this time, so we’ll never know for certain if this story is true.
Despite disagreement on whether they originated in Germany or England, most historians do agree that sugar-stick candies first appeared in 17th century Europe. As for how peppermint got added to the mix, that likely happened in the 18th century, when candy and medicine were figuratively and literally mixed together. Back then, apothecaries, or pharmacists, would mix sugar with medicinal ingredients to make them more palatable. Peppermint was often added longside sugar to mask the taste of less-pleasant-tasting herbs. It was especially good at this since menthol, the chemical that gives peppermint its “cooling” effect, also makes other flavors harder to detect. Over time, candy making and drug making became separate professions, but sugar sticks with peppermint flavoring endured.
It’s only natural that Americans have also tried to take credit for inventing candy canes. Some say that an Indiana candymaker was the first to invent the “cane” shape while trying to bend candy into a “J” for “Jesus.” The tale also states that he added a red stripe to the candy to represent Christ’s blood. It’s much more likely, though, that the cane shape actually debuted in 1847, in Wooster, Ohio, when candymaker August Imgard decorated his storefront Christmas tree with the candies. They were bent simply so that they could be hung on the tree’s branches. As for the red stripe…it was probably added just to make the candies more attractive. Red-and-white striped candy canes didn’t become popular until the 20th century, when automation made it easy for companies to make and sell them en masse. That’s a bit less fun than the stories, though!
[Image description: A red-and-white candy cane sticking out of a glass jar.] Credit & copyright: TanteTati, Pixabay
December 7, 2023
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9 minFREEWork Business CurioFree5 CQ
From the BBC World Service : Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration is pulling out of China’s flagship Belt and Road Initiative, the massive ...
From the BBC World Service : Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration is pulling out of China’s flagship Belt and Road Initiative, the massive ...
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FREEAstronomy Nerdy CurioFree1 CQ
This cosmic ray is out of sight. Researchers at the Telescope Array Collaboration in Utah have published a paper in the journal Science describing an uncommonly powerful cosmic ray of unknown origin. The ray was actually detected back in 2021, but years later scientists are no closer to finding its source. What they do know is that the ray had an energy of around 240 exa-electron volts, or 240 quintillion electron volts. To put that into perspective, the study claims that that’s over a million times more than can be achieved in the biggest particle accelerators available today. It’s a remarkable event, though it still comes in second to the power of the so-called “Oh My God” particle detected back in 1991, which was around 320 exa-electron volts. Despite its enormous energy, figuring out where it came from is inordinately difficult. The trajectory of cosmic rays are heavily influenced by magnetic fields, and there aren’t exactly detailed maps laying them out. Scientists are confident that the ray’s source lies outside of the Milky Way, but still relatively close by. Luckily, even powerful cosmic rays aren’t as dangerous as sci-fi movies would have us believe. The Telescope Array in Utah used 500 detectors spread out just to find the particles that entered Earth’s atmosphere, and the ray wasn’t even visible to the naked eye. If little green aliens want to zap our planet, they’re going to have to get a lot closer.
[Image description: A starry sky with the milky way visible.] Credit & copyright: Pexels, Pixabay
This cosmic ray is out of sight. Researchers at the Telescope Array Collaboration in Utah have published a paper in the journal Science describing an uncommonly powerful cosmic ray of unknown origin. The ray was actually detected back in 2021, but years later scientists are no closer to finding its source. What they do know is that the ray had an energy of around 240 exa-electron volts, or 240 quintillion electron volts. To put that into perspective, the study claims that that’s over a million times more than can be achieved in the biggest particle accelerators available today. It’s a remarkable event, though it still comes in second to the power of the so-called “Oh My God” particle detected back in 1991, which was around 320 exa-electron volts. Despite its enormous energy, figuring out where it came from is inordinately difficult. The trajectory of cosmic rays are heavily influenced by magnetic fields, and there aren’t exactly detailed maps laying them out. Scientists are confident that the ray’s source lies outside of the Milky Way, but still relatively close by. Luckily, even powerful cosmic rays aren’t as dangerous as sci-fi movies would have us believe. The Telescope Array in Utah used 500 detectors spread out just to find the particles that entered Earth’s atmosphere, and the ray wasn’t even visible to the naked eye. If little green aliens want to zap our planet, they’re going to have to get a lot closer.
[Image description: A starry sky with the milky way visible.] Credit & copyright: Pexels, Pixabay
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FREEMind + Body Daily Curio #2772Free1 CQ
Time to raise a glass… of water for that aspirin. Most people can enjoy a nice glass of red wine without issues, but others are susceptible to getting headaches from it. For them, a single glass—or even as little as a sip in some cases—can cause nasty headaches within half an hour. Now, scientists have found the culprit: a chemical compound specific to red wine. Researchers at the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology identified it as quercetin, which is normally a harmless antioxidant that’s even available as a natural supplement. It’s found in a variety of fruits and vegetables, including grapes, which is how it ends up in red wine. When consumed, it becomes quercetin glucuronide in the bloodstream, which normally has anti-inflammatory properties. But it also happens to inhibit the metabolism of alcohol, and that, in turn, leads to a build up of acetaldehyde, the toxin responsible for hangovers. So, when someone who is sensitive to red wine has a sip, they’re essentially getting hungover immediately. It’s still not entirely clear why the compound affects some drinkers more than others. However, people who are already prone to getting headaches or migraines do tend to be sensitive to quercetin. Unfortunately, quercetin is one of the many flavanols that gives red wine its distinct taste, so its unlikely that any variety of red will ever be made without it. Grapes produce the compound in abundance when they get plenty of sun, so wine made from grapes that have had lots of sunlight are more likely to cause headaches in those who are sensitive. But quercetin is only found in the skin of the grape, which is removed when making white wine, making it less likely to cause the same issues. Of course, if you drink enough, you’ll get headaches regardless.
[Image description: Red wine is poured from a bottle to a glass.] Credit & copyright: Vinotecarium, PixabayTime to raise a glass… of water for that aspirin. Most people can enjoy a nice glass of red wine without issues, but others are susceptible to getting headaches from it. For them, a single glass—or even as little as a sip in some cases—can cause nasty headaches within half an hour. Now, scientists have found the culprit: a chemical compound specific to red wine. Researchers at the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology identified it as quercetin, which is normally a harmless antioxidant that’s even available as a natural supplement. It’s found in a variety of fruits and vegetables, including grapes, which is how it ends up in red wine. When consumed, it becomes quercetin glucuronide in the bloodstream, which normally has anti-inflammatory properties. But it also happens to inhibit the metabolism of alcohol, and that, in turn, leads to a build up of acetaldehyde, the toxin responsible for hangovers. So, when someone who is sensitive to red wine has a sip, they’re essentially getting hungover immediately. It’s still not entirely clear why the compound affects some drinkers more than others. However, people who are already prone to getting headaches or migraines do tend to be sensitive to quercetin. Unfortunately, quercetin is one of the many flavanols that gives red wine its distinct taste, so its unlikely that any variety of red will ever be made without it. Grapes produce the compound in abundance when they get plenty of sun, so wine made from grapes that have had lots of sunlight are more likely to cause headaches in those who are sensitive. But quercetin is only found in the skin of the grape, which is removed when making white wine, making it less likely to cause the same issues. Of course, if you drink enough, you’ll get headaches regardless.
[Image description: Red wine is poured from a bottle to a glass.] Credit & copyright: Vinotecarium, Pixabay
December 6, 2023
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7 minFREEWork Business CurioFree4 CQ
HUD is expected to release its annual Point-In-Time homelessness count later this month. High housing costs, an influx of asylum seekers and an end to COVID ...
HUD is expected to release its annual Point-In-Time homelessness count later this month. High housing costs, an influx of asylum seekers and an end to COVID ...
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2 minFREEHumanities Word CurioFree2 CQ
Word of the Day
: December 6, 2023\PER-mee-uh-bul\ adjective
What It Means
Permeable is a synonym of penetrable that is used especially to de...
with Merriam-WebsterWord of the Day
: December 6, 2023\PER-mee-uh-bul\ adjective
What It Means
Permeable is a synonym of penetrable that is used especially to de...
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FREETeaching Skills Nerdy CurioFree1 CQ
If you’re a teacher, don’t throw out that old lesson plan—it could be worth something! Teachers and others with educational experience have found a new way to make extra cash online: selling their lesson plans to fellow educators. Creating lesson plans is a notoriously time-consuming part of teaching, so it makes sense that there would be a market for good quality, pre-made ones. Online platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers and even Pinterest are allowing more and more teachers to share what they know, and some are turning it into a lucrative side-hustle. CNBC recently highlighted the work of Becky Powell, a 41-year-old kindergarten teacher who made around $125,500 in 2022 by selling digital worksheets to other educators online. Her storefront on Teachers Pay Teachers, a digital platform that allows teachers to sell educational materials to one another, boasts over 400 listings, including single worksheets, booklets, and bundled sets. For other so-called “teacherprenuers”, Pinterest has become an important, if unlikely, driver for sales. Though most people use the platform as a visual inspiration board, teachers hoping to sell lesson plans often post previews on Pinterest that include purchase-links on other sites, like Teachers Pay Teachers. In 2019, a 37-year-old former teacher named Jen Regan spoke to USA Today about using Pinterest to help other teachers find the educational materials she sells online. After a few years of selling classroom resources, Regan made enough money to leave her full-time job and spend more time with family. Even for educators just looking to bring in a little extra income, there’s no doubt that lesson plans can be lucrative.
[Image description: A stack of books with a red apple on top.] Credit & copyright: jarmoluk, PixabayIf you’re a teacher, don’t throw out that old lesson plan—it could be worth something! Teachers and others with educational experience have found a new way to make extra cash online: selling their lesson plans to fellow educators. Creating lesson plans is a notoriously time-consuming part of teaching, so it makes sense that there would be a market for good quality, pre-made ones. Online platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers and even Pinterest are allowing more and more teachers to share what they know, and some are turning it into a lucrative side-hustle. CNBC recently highlighted the work of Becky Powell, a 41-year-old kindergarten teacher who made around $125,500 in 2022 by selling digital worksheets to other educators online. Her storefront on Teachers Pay Teachers, a digital platform that allows teachers to sell educational materials to one another, boasts over 400 listings, including single worksheets, booklets, and bundled sets. For other so-called “teacherprenuers”, Pinterest has become an important, if unlikely, driver for sales. Though most people use the platform as a visual inspiration board, teachers hoping to sell lesson plans often post previews on Pinterest that include purchase-links on other sites, like Teachers Pay Teachers. In 2019, a 37-year-old former teacher named Jen Regan spoke to USA Today about using Pinterest to help other teachers find the educational materials she sells online. After a few years of selling classroom resources, Regan made enough money to leave her full-time job and spend more time with family. Even for educators just looking to bring in a little extra income, there’s no doubt that lesson plans can be lucrative.
[Image description: A stack of books with a red apple on top.] Credit & copyright: jarmoluk, Pixabay -
FREEFirst Aid Daily Curio #2771Free1 CQ
There was light at the end of this tunnel—they just had to dig at it. After being trapped for 17 days, 41 workers buried in a tunnel were freed in India at the end of November. But there was a lot more to their rescue than just moving some dirt around. Like many underground rescues, this ordeal was one in which every second counted. Back on November 12, construction workers were digging through a Himalayan mountain in the state of Uttarakhand when they were caught in a tunnel collapse. Rescuers immediately began trying to extract the buried workers, but they had to hurry. Even though none of the workers had been seriously injured or killed, they were already being poisoned by their own breath. Being buried under rubble meant that the men weren’t getting fresh air, and carbon dioxide from their exhaled breath was building up. Rescuers managed to reach them with a literal life line to pipe in fresh air, food and water, but the men were still growing sicker by the day.
The symptoms of carbon dioxide poisoning are very similar to those of carbon monoxide poisoning. They include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and confusion that get progressively worse. At very low concentrations (10,000 ppm, or one percent of the atmosphere), carbon dioxide can cause drowsiness. But even at mildly higher concentrations (30,000 ppm, or three percent), it can lead to elevated heart rates and arrhythmia. Even with oxygen present, excess carbon dioxide can still cause these symptoms, and as the concentration gets higher (around 80,000 ppm or eight percent), it can lead to suffocation. Thankfully, the workers were trapped in a fairly large section of the tunnel with enough room to walk around. To help keep the CO2 levels low, they were advised not to perform any physically strenuous activity. At the same time, they were advised to do yoga and other light exercises to help keep them calm, which probably kept CO2 levels lower by reducing their heart rates. Eventually, the workers were pulled to safety through a tunnel that rescuers made from welded pipes. Seeing sunlight after 17 days was probably a lot more calming than underground yoga!
[Image description: A digital illustration depicting a pickaxe and three stones.] Credit & copyright: Clker-Free-Vector-Images, PixabayThere was light at the end of this tunnel—they just had to dig at it. After being trapped for 17 days, 41 workers buried in a tunnel were freed in India at the end of November. But there was a lot more to their rescue than just moving some dirt around. Like many underground rescues, this ordeal was one in which every second counted. Back on November 12, construction workers were digging through a Himalayan mountain in the state of Uttarakhand when they were caught in a tunnel collapse. Rescuers immediately began trying to extract the buried workers, but they had to hurry. Even though none of the workers had been seriously injured or killed, they were already being poisoned by their own breath. Being buried under rubble meant that the men weren’t getting fresh air, and carbon dioxide from their exhaled breath was building up. Rescuers managed to reach them with a literal life line to pipe in fresh air, food and water, but the men were still growing sicker by the day.
The symptoms of carbon dioxide poisoning are very similar to those of carbon monoxide poisoning. They include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and confusion that get progressively worse. At very low concentrations (10,000 ppm, or one percent of the atmosphere), carbon dioxide can cause drowsiness. But even at mildly higher concentrations (30,000 ppm, or three percent), it can lead to elevated heart rates and arrhythmia. Even with oxygen present, excess carbon dioxide can still cause these symptoms, and as the concentration gets higher (around 80,000 ppm or eight percent), it can lead to suffocation. Thankfully, the workers were trapped in a fairly large section of the tunnel with enough room to walk around. To help keep the CO2 levels low, they were advised not to perform any physically strenuous activity. At the same time, they were advised to do yoga and other light exercises to help keep them calm, which probably kept CO2 levels lower by reducing their heart rates. Eventually, the workers were pulled to safety through a tunnel that rescuers made from welded pipes. Seeing sunlight after 17 days was probably a lot more calming than underground yoga!
[Image description: A digital illustration depicting a pickaxe and three stones.] Credit & copyright: Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Pixabay
December 5, 2023
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7 minFREEWork Business CurioFree4 CQ
From the BBC World Service: Moody’s, the rating agency, has changed China’s government credit outlook from stable to negative due to debt fears and lower gro...
From the BBC World Service: Moody’s, the rating agency, has changed China’s government credit outlook from stable to negative due to debt fears and lower gro...
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2 minFREEHumanities Word CurioFree2 CQ
Word of the Day
: December 5, 2023\SMYTE\ verb
What It Means
Smite means “to hit someone or something very hard.” Other uses of the word incl...
with Merriam-WebsterWord of the Day
: December 5, 2023\SMYTE\ verb
What It Means
Smite means “to hit someone or something very hard.” Other uses of the word incl...
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FREESong CurioFree2 CQ
It may not sound like a sci-fi song, but Belinda Carlisles’ pop hit Heaven is a Place on Earth, which topped the Billboard charts on this day in 1987, ended up becoming the soundtrack to one of the most beloved science fiction moments of the mid-2000s. The song was written specifically for Carlisle after her vocal group, the Go-Go’s, broke up. There was a lot of figurative and literal power behind the hit—it was written by Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley, both of whom had worked with some of the era’s biggest stars. The song’s famous, swelling, choral-style vocals were performed by none other than Michelle Phillips of The Mamas and The Papas, among others. Carlisle’s velvety voice helped propel the song to number one, and it, in turn, helped make her a household name. But among younger listeners, it’s famous for a different reason. In 2016, the hit Netflix series Black Mirror included an episode about a digital afterlife with Heaven is a Place on Earth as its unofficial theme song. The episode won two Emmy awards and caused a surge of interest in the song. Who said sci-fi couldn’t be poppy?
It may not sound like a sci-fi song, but Belinda Carlisles’ pop hit Heaven is a Place on Earth, which topped the Billboard charts on this day in 1987, ended up becoming the soundtrack to one of the most beloved science fiction moments of the mid-2000s. The song was written specifically for Carlisle after her vocal group, the Go-Go’s, broke up. There was a lot of figurative and literal power behind the hit—it was written by Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley, both of whom had worked with some of the era’s biggest stars. The song’s famous, swelling, choral-style vocals were performed by none other than Michelle Phillips of The Mamas and The Papas, among others. Carlisle’s velvety voice helped propel the song to number one, and it, in turn, helped make her a household name. But among younger listeners, it’s famous for a different reason. In 2016, the hit Netflix series Black Mirror included an episode about a digital afterlife with Heaven is a Place on Earth as its unofficial theme song. The episode won two Emmy awards and caused a surge of interest in the song. Who said sci-fi couldn’t be poppy?
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FREEPolitical Science Daily Curio #2770Free1 CQ
There are a lot of tough calls to be made on the highest court in the land, but she made them without breaking a sweat. Sandra Day O’Connor, the first female justice to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, passed away recently. After her historic appointment, she became a household name, and she is remembered for being the perennial tiebreaker on a divided court. Born in 1930 in El Paso, Texas, O’Connor was raised on a ranch in Arizona where she was no stranger to getting her hands dirty. From a young age, she hunted jackrabbits and coyotes on the ranch while she kept her grades up at school. She enrolled at Stanford University at the age of 16, and married John Jay O'Connor III soon after graduation. Returning to Arizona, O’Connor made a name for herself in the political arena, eventually becoming the majority leader of the state senate. After serving as a state trial judge and a state appellate court judge for a time, she was appointed by President Reagan to fill the vacancy left in the Supreme Court by Justice Potter Stewart, who retired in 1981.
Having a woman seated on the nation’s highest court opened up greater opportunities for female legislators and judges. O'Connor’s appointment kicked off a wave of state-level appointments for women in judicial and political positions. O’Connor herself often cast the deciding vote on key issues before the court. She repeatedly supported the expansion of abortion rights while limiting the rights of states to restrict it. She also voted against affirmative action when considering government contractors, but voted in favor of it when it came to college admissions. Throughout her tenure, she encouraged her colleagues to tackle one issue at a time, rather than using broad language that could be applied to rulings far in the future. In an interview with Harvard Business Review, she once said, “...I thought we ought to avoid sweeping rulings that would affect things we just didn’t know about, things that hadn’t been described. Otherwise, you might be taking giant steps you’ll live to regret. You can’t anticipate everything.” If only all government officials approached big decisions with such caution.
[Image description: Sandra Day O'Connor wearing a blue dress and gold necklace in front of a wooden wall.] Credit & copyright: Wikimedia Commons. This work is in the public domain in the United States because it is a work prepared by an officer or employee of the United States Government as part of that person’s official duties under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the US Code.There are a lot of tough calls to be made on the highest court in the land, but she made them without breaking a sweat. Sandra Day O’Connor, the first female justice to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, passed away recently. After her historic appointment, she became a household name, and she is remembered for being the perennial tiebreaker on a divided court. Born in 1930 in El Paso, Texas, O’Connor was raised on a ranch in Arizona where she was no stranger to getting her hands dirty. From a young age, she hunted jackrabbits and coyotes on the ranch while she kept her grades up at school. She enrolled at Stanford University at the age of 16, and married John Jay O'Connor III soon after graduation. Returning to Arizona, O’Connor made a name for herself in the political arena, eventually becoming the majority leader of the state senate. After serving as a state trial judge and a state appellate court judge for a time, she was appointed by President Reagan to fill the vacancy left in the Supreme Court by Justice Potter Stewart, who retired in 1981.
Having a woman seated on the nation’s highest court opened up greater opportunities for female legislators and judges. O'Connor’s appointment kicked off a wave of state-level appointments for women in judicial and political positions. O’Connor herself often cast the deciding vote on key issues before the court. She repeatedly supported the expansion of abortion rights while limiting the rights of states to restrict it. She also voted against affirmative action when considering government contractors, but voted in favor of it when it came to college admissions. Throughout her tenure, she encouraged her colleagues to tackle one issue at a time, rather than using broad language that could be applied to rulings far in the future. In an interview with Harvard Business Review, she once said, “...I thought we ought to avoid sweeping rulings that would affect things we just didn’t know about, things that hadn’t been described. Otherwise, you might be taking giant steps you’ll live to regret. You can’t anticipate everything.” If only all government officials approached big decisions with such caution.
[Image description: Sandra Day O'Connor wearing a blue dress and gold necklace in front of a wooden wall.] Credit & copyright: Wikimedia Commons. This work is in the public domain in the United States because it is a work prepared by an officer or employee of the United States Government as part of that person’s official duties under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the US Code.
December 4, 2023
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3 minFREEHumanities Word CurioFree2 CQ
Word of the Day
: December 4, 2023\av-er-duh-POYZ\ noun
What It Means
Avoirdupois is synonymous with weight and heaviness, especially as rela...
with Merriam-WebsterWord of the Day
: December 4, 2023\av-er-duh-POYZ\ noun
What It Means
Avoirdupois is synonymous with weight and heaviness, especially as rela...
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FREEArt Appreciation Art CurioFree1 CQ
Coffee, anyone? Italian designer Carlo Bugatti created this lavish tea and coffee service set sometime in the early 1900s. It consists of four vessels set on a salver, or formal tray. Each piece is made of gilt silver and features the likeness of an animal, embellished with ivory horns. The salver also features two curved pieces of ivory at either end. Like many of Bugatti’s works, this set combines organic and exotic aesthetics to create something that feels familiar and alien at the same time. Regardless of its beauty, a set like this couldn’t be made today because of the international ban on ivory trade. The ban grants exceptions for antiques and existing ivory stockpiles, but there are few legal avenues to obtain the material, which is sourced from elephant tusks. By the way, if the artist’s name sounds familiar, that’s because Carlo Bugatti was the father of Ettore Bugatti, founder of Automobiles E. Bugatti, known for their luxury sports cars. Seems like sleek designs run in the family.
Tea and Coffee Service, Carlo Bugatti (1856–1940), 1907, Gilt silver and ivory, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio
[Image credit & copyright: Carlo Bugatti, The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Thomas L. Fawick Memorial Collection, CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain]Coffee, anyone? Italian designer Carlo Bugatti created this lavish tea and coffee service set sometime in the early 1900s. It consists of four vessels set on a salver, or formal tray. Each piece is made of gilt silver and features the likeness of an animal, embellished with ivory horns. The salver also features two curved pieces of ivory at either end. Like many of Bugatti’s works, this set combines organic and exotic aesthetics to create something that feels familiar and alien at the same time. Regardless of its beauty, a set like this couldn’t be made today because of the international ban on ivory trade. The ban grants exceptions for antiques and existing ivory stockpiles, but there are few legal avenues to obtain the material, which is sourced from elephant tusks. By the way, if the artist’s name sounds familiar, that’s because Carlo Bugatti was the father of Ettore Bugatti, founder of Automobiles E. Bugatti, known for their luxury sports cars. Seems like sleek designs run in the family.
Tea and Coffee Service, Carlo Bugatti (1856–1940), 1907, Gilt silver and ivory, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio
[Image credit & copyright: Carlo Bugatti, The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Thomas L. Fawick Memorial Collection, CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain] -
FREEBiology Daily Curio #2769Free1 CQ
You know Dasher and Dancer…but what about Svalbard? Svalbard reindeer are the world’s smallest subspecies, with males reaching a diminutive length of around 5.2 feet. The deer live in the Svalbard archipelago, where they’ve managed to survive and thrive despite stacked odds. Now, scientists at the University Center in Svalbard are studying them to see if they stand a chance of surviving their greatest challenge yet: climate change.
Despite their home’s frigid temperatures and seemingly scarce vegetation, Svalbard reindeer have managed to survive by being very picky eaters. This may sound counter-intuitive, but it actually works well for the deer. According to researchers who have been tracking their movements across the islands and observing their behavior, Svalbard reindeer eat only the choicest parts of the plants in their environment. For instance, they will only eat the heads of buttercup flowers that grow in the area, since that’s the most nutrient-dense part of the plant. This means that, instead of wasting precious energy digesting stems and other plant matter with little nutritional value, the deer can fill their stomachs with high-value foods that are easier to digest. Svalbard reindeer have also developed the ability to digest mosses, which serves them well during the harsh winter months. Of course, being so small also means that they can afford to eat less than their larger reindeer cousins.
However, the deer might be in trouble in the coming decades. Their population has always been isolated, which has led to around 7,000 years of inbreeding. This means that they have a very limited gene pool, which makes it more difficult to pass on favorable genetic adaptations. If the climate gets warmer and changes their environment too quickly, the deer may not be able to adapt in time. Worse still, Svalbard is experiencing the effects of climate change faster than most places in the world. Warmer temperatures may lead to rain-on-snow events, which freeze the deer’s food sources, rendering them inaccessible. Thawing permafrost and warmer soil could also lead to more parasites. At this evolutionary bottleneck, the reindeer might simply get stuck and go extinct, or they might surprise everyone and adapt despite their limited genetic diversity, as they have done for so many years. Hopefully, they’ll figure something out before there’s nothing left of the North Pole.
[Image description: A Svalbard reindeer eating grass.] Credit & copyright: Decokon, PixabayYou know Dasher and Dancer…but what about Svalbard? Svalbard reindeer are the world’s smallest subspecies, with males reaching a diminutive length of around 5.2 feet. The deer live in the Svalbard archipelago, where they’ve managed to survive and thrive despite stacked odds. Now, scientists at the University Center in Svalbard are studying them to see if they stand a chance of surviving their greatest challenge yet: climate change.
Despite their home’s frigid temperatures and seemingly scarce vegetation, Svalbard reindeer have managed to survive by being very picky eaters. This may sound counter-intuitive, but it actually works well for the deer. According to researchers who have been tracking their movements across the islands and observing their behavior, Svalbard reindeer eat only the choicest parts of the plants in their environment. For instance, they will only eat the heads of buttercup flowers that grow in the area, since that’s the most nutrient-dense part of the plant. This means that, instead of wasting precious energy digesting stems and other plant matter with little nutritional value, the deer can fill their stomachs with high-value foods that are easier to digest. Svalbard reindeer have also developed the ability to digest mosses, which serves them well during the harsh winter months. Of course, being so small also means that they can afford to eat less than their larger reindeer cousins.
However, the deer might be in trouble in the coming decades. Their population has always been isolated, which has led to around 7,000 years of inbreeding. This means that they have a very limited gene pool, which makes it more difficult to pass on favorable genetic adaptations. If the climate gets warmer and changes their environment too quickly, the deer may not be able to adapt in time. Worse still, Svalbard is experiencing the effects of climate change faster than most places in the world. Warmer temperatures may lead to rain-on-snow events, which freeze the deer’s food sources, rendering them inaccessible. Thawing permafrost and warmer soil could also lead to more parasites. At this evolutionary bottleneck, the reindeer might simply get stuck and go extinct, or they might surprise everyone and adapt despite their limited genetic diversity, as they have done for so many years. Hopefully, they’ll figure something out before there’s nothing left of the North Pole.
[Image description: A Svalbard reindeer eating grass.] Credit & copyright: Decokon, Pixabay -
7 minFREEWork Business CurioFree4 CQ
We’re in the thick of holiday shopping season. But as companies compete for consumer dollars and distinguish themselves through advertising, they’re taking i...
We’re in the thick of holiday shopping season. But as companies compete for consumer dollars and distinguish themselves through advertising, they’re taking i...
December 3, 2023
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2 minFREEHumanities Word CurioFree2 CQ
Word of the Day
: December 3, 2023\DEK-strus\ adjective
What It Means
Dexterous is a formal adjective used to describe someone or something t...
with Merriam-WebsterWord of the Day
: December 3, 2023\DEK-strus\ adjective
What It Means
Dexterous is a formal adjective used to describe someone or something t...
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FREEWorld History PP&T CurioFree1 CQ
They’re glitzy, they’re glittery, and for a long time they were serious fire hazards. Christmas trees are, by far, the holiday’s most famous decorations, to the point that much of Christmas day literally takes place around them. Yet, for centuries, Christmas was celebrated without this celebratory staple.
Although Christmas is now the most widely-observed Christian holiday, Christians didn’t always celebrate it. Until the 4th century C.E., they were actually averse to celebrating the birthdays of saints or martyrs, and that extended to Jesus Christ himself. Such celebrations were considered too similar to pagan traditions, as were flashy decorations. It wasn’t until the 16th century that Germans embraced the pagan tradition of bringing evergreen boughs and whole trees into their homes during winter. Over time, they naturally began to spruce them up with homemade decorations. Martin Luther, a central figure of the Protestant Revolution, is widely acknowledged as the first person to have placed candles on a Christmas tree, in honor of the starry winter sky. Luther also helped make the trees a Christmas (rather than simply a winter) tradition.
In the following years, the practice of decorating trees for Christmas spread across Europe, making its way to the American colonies in the 18th century. Most early Christmas tree decorations were made from things that were easy to find around the house or in nature. These included strings of popcorn, bright pieces of fabric, red pepper swags, and moss. As much as the trees were a source of joy, however, they could also lead to disaster. Since they were lit with actual, flaming candles, they were serious fire hazards. Pine trees aren’t exactly known for being fireproof, and a single, errant flame could burn down not just a tree, but the entire house surrounding it. Still, by the 19th century, Christmas trees became a must-have item for every household after Queen Victoria (whose mother was German) put one up and placed her children's presents under it.
These days, electric lights have replaced candles, and many people prefer artificial trees that can be used year after year (and are far less flammable.) The first artificial Christmas trees were created due to pine tree shortages in Europe following World War I. These were made from dyed feathers and were fairly delicate. During World War II, the first mass-produced artificial trees were created by British company Addis Housewares, made from repurposed toilet-brush-making machinery. Sculpted, aluminum trees lit with internal color-wheels became popular soon after, but their appeal suffered greatly after the 1965 TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas, which portrayed them as symbols of crass commercialism.
The artificial tree found redemption in the hands of Si Spiegel, a Jewish WWII veteran who, after being denied pilot jobs due to antisemitism, took a job as a factory worker at American Brush Machinery in the 1950s. Some of the machines that Spiegel worked on were being sold to companies that used them to make artificial trees. Spiegel encouraged American Brush Machinery to make artificial trees themselves, but the process didn't go smoothly, at first. The trees weren’t realistic enough. So, Spiegel studied real trees and tweaked the machine designs in order to make plastic trees with bendable branches that looked as close to the real thing as possible. With his guidance, American Brush Machinery became the world’s biggest supplier of artificial Christmas trees by the mid-1970s. Spiegel even started his own company, American Tree and Wreath, which produced around 800,000 trees per year, at the height of its popularity. Today, Christmas trees are a must-have item for anyone who celebrates the holiday. Real or fake, just leave the candles off of them.
[Image description: The top of a decorated Christmas Tree surrounded by golden string lights.] Credit & copyright: Elina Fairytale, PexelsThey’re glitzy, they’re glittery, and for a long time they were serious fire hazards. Christmas trees are, by far, the holiday’s most famous decorations, to the point that much of Christmas day literally takes place around them. Yet, for centuries, Christmas was celebrated without this celebratory staple.
Although Christmas is now the most widely-observed Christian holiday, Christians didn’t always celebrate it. Until the 4th century C.E., they were actually averse to celebrating the birthdays of saints or martyrs, and that extended to Jesus Christ himself. Such celebrations were considered too similar to pagan traditions, as were flashy decorations. It wasn’t until the 16th century that Germans embraced the pagan tradition of bringing evergreen boughs and whole trees into their homes during winter. Over time, they naturally began to spruce them up with homemade decorations. Martin Luther, a central figure of the Protestant Revolution, is widely acknowledged as the first person to have placed candles on a Christmas tree, in honor of the starry winter sky. Luther also helped make the trees a Christmas (rather than simply a winter) tradition.
In the following years, the practice of decorating trees for Christmas spread across Europe, making its way to the American colonies in the 18th century. Most early Christmas tree decorations were made from things that were easy to find around the house or in nature. These included strings of popcorn, bright pieces of fabric, red pepper swags, and moss. As much as the trees were a source of joy, however, they could also lead to disaster. Since they were lit with actual, flaming candles, they were serious fire hazards. Pine trees aren’t exactly known for being fireproof, and a single, errant flame could burn down not just a tree, but the entire house surrounding it. Still, by the 19th century, Christmas trees became a must-have item for every household after Queen Victoria (whose mother was German) put one up and placed her children's presents under it.
These days, electric lights have replaced candles, and many people prefer artificial trees that can be used year after year (and are far less flammable.) The first artificial Christmas trees were created due to pine tree shortages in Europe following World War I. These were made from dyed feathers and were fairly delicate. During World War II, the first mass-produced artificial trees were created by British company Addis Housewares, made from repurposed toilet-brush-making machinery. Sculpted, aluminum trees lit with internal color-wheels became popular soon after, but their appeal suffered greatly after the 1965 TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas, which portrayed them as symbols of crass commercialism.
The artificial tree found redemption in the hands of Si Spiegel, a Jewish WWII veteran who, after being denied pilot jobs due to antisemitism, took a job as a factory worker at American Brush Machinery in the 1950s. Some of the machines that Spiegel worked on were being sold to companies that used them to make artificial trees. Spiegel encouraged American Brush Machinery to make artificial trees themselves, but the process didn't go smoothly, at first. The trees weren’t realistic enough. So, Spiegel studied real trees and tweaked the machine designs in order to make plastic trees with bendable branches that looked as close to the real thing as possible. With his guidance, American Brush Machinery became the world’s biggest supplier of artificial Christmas trees by the mid-1970s. Spiegel even started his own company, American Tree and Wreath, which produced around 800,000 trees per year, at the height of its popularity. Today, Christmas trees are a must-have item for anyone who celebrates the holiday. Real or fake, just leave the candles off of them.
[Image description: The top of a decorated Christmas Tree surrounded by golden string lights.] Credit & copyright: Elina Fairytale, Pexels -
8 minFREEWork Business CurioFree5 CQ
Consumer Reports is out with a survey finding that EV owners had roughly 80% more problems than owners of conventional vehicles. Key problems included issues...
Consumer Reports is out with a survey finding that EV owners had roughly 80% more problems than owners of conventional vehicles. Key problems included issues...