The article tells the story of Baucis and Philemon, an elderly couple who show kindness and hospitality to two strangers who turn out to be gods in disguise. As a reward for their hospitality, their humble cottage is transformed into a grand temple, and they are granted their wish to care for the temple and die together. In the end, they are transformed into trees, symbolizing their enduring love and hospitality.
Cooperatives, or co-ops, are a significant part of the global economy, employing 280 million people and handling over $2 trillion annually. Co-ops are jointly owned by their members, who can be consumers, producers, or workers, and are controlled democratically. Studies show that co-op start-ups are less likely to close within five years compared to traditional businesses, and co-op workers tend to be happier with their jobs.
The article discusses the Victorian tapeworm diet and its similarities to modern fad diets that promise rapid weight loss. It compares the approaches of two hypothetical twins, one aiming for slow weight loss through a gradual reduction in calorie intake and increased exercise, and the other opting for drastic calorie restriction. The article highlights the negative impacts of extreme diets and emphasizes the importance of adopting a sustainable and healthy lifestyle instead.
A year ago, scientists discovered an underground city on Mars, providing evidence of intelligent alien life. However, they lost contact with Earth and are now facing a water shortage. They have uncovered clues in the city’s pyramids about how the ancient civilization survived, including a lever that could bring water back to the surface, but the location of the lever remains a mystery. The scientists now face the decision of whether or not to pull the lever and potentially save their lives.
This article tells the tale of Perseus, Pegasus, and Bellerophon from Greek mythology. Perseus decapitated Medusa, giving birth to Chrysaor and Pegasus. Bellerophon tamed Pegasus with a magical bridle and embarked on a journey to become a legendary hero, but his ambition led to his downfall while Pegasus ascended to Mount Olympus and became a constellation.
The article discusses the psychology behind forbidden desires, focusing on reactance theory and the social network effect. Reactance theory explains our urge to do the exact thing we’ve been warned against when our freedom is threatened, while the social network effect suggests that the long-term success of romantic relationships is influenced by the approval or disapproval of friends and family. The article concludes by highlighting the importance of understanding the balance between the need for independence and the need for social approval in human behavior.
The article discusses the evolution of the US power grid over the past five decades. It highlights the delicate balance required to maintain the functioning of power grids and the role of power grid operators in managing this balance. The article also explores the challenges of integrating intermittent energy sources and suggests load flexibility and automated emissions reduction technologies as potential solutions for the future of power grids.
The article discusses wealth inequality in South Africa and explores the question of whether inequality is inevitable. It explains the use of the Gini index to measure inequality and highlights the limitations of this measure. The article also examines the role of government choices and economic systems in contributing to inequality, and discusses ways to reduce inequality, such as progressive taxes, transfers, and access to services. It concludes by emphasizing the global divide in wealth and power and the need to weaken the feedback loops that perpetuate inequality.
The article discusses the construction of the Great Pyramid of Pharaoh Khufu. It highlights the immense effort and labor that went into building the pyramid, including the use of a large workforce, the quarrying of limestone and granite, and the construction techniques employed. The article also mentions the interior of the pyramid and the use of granite for support beams, as well as the completion of the structure with a polished white limestone exterior and a capstone.
The article discusses the concept of intelligence and the idea of being “smart” at different ages. It explains that different skills and abilities develop at different stages of life, and there is no single age that can be considered the smartest. The author concludes that having an age-diverse team is a good strategy for the Brain Clash competition.
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