52 Things I learned in 2024
Tom Whitewell finds the best stuff, every year -> 52 Things I learned in 2024
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*italics emphasis mine
Ozempic is a modified, synthetic version of a protein discovered in the venomous saliva of the Gila monster, a large, sluggish lizard native to the United States. [Scott Alexander] – we should, maybe, consider saving more endangered species?
Medellin in Colombia has cut urban temperatures by 2°C in three years by planting trees. [Peter Yeung] – sometimes the solution is truly simple & obvious
After security at Milwaukee airport there is a ‘Recombobulation Area’ for people who have been discombobulated by the security experience. [Molly Snyder via Nick Parker] – simple, brilliant, obvious
In 2022, 55% of Macy’s income came from credit cards rather than retail sales. That’s fairly normal for US department stores. [Pan Kwan Yuk] – le sigh…I want to believe that the money is in “making good products”…but it’s usually not
Floating or swimming to work is becoming more popular in Bern, Switzerland (and also Basel) [Bill Harby via Nick Bennett] – if you are going to commute, make it interesting & healthy is what I always say
Millions of free bikes have been given to children in rural India, doubling the number of girls cycling to school, increasing attendance and reducing dropouts. [Rachita Vora] – when in doubt, try making it more convenient
You can buy 200 real human molars for $900. [B for Bones, via Lauren] – looks like the moms saving those teeth were the real smart ones
In the US, table saws are responsible for around 4,300 amputations per year. All other products are responsible for 3,600 amputations per year combined. [Ben Blatt] – table saws seriously freak me out
Between 1926 and 1934, the average life-span of a light bulb fell from 1,800 hours to 1,200 hours, because a global cartel of lightbulb manufacturers fined anyone who made a longer-lasting bulb. [Markus Krajewski] – again, the real money is not necessarily in making a better product
Between the 1920s and 1950s, millions of ‘enemies of the people’ — often educated elites — were sent to prison camps in the Soviet Union. Today, the areas around those camps are more prosperous and productive than similar areas. [Toews & Vézina] – yup. Sounds about right.
South Korea has 1,012 robots per 10,000 employees, the highest in the world. This year China overtook Germany and Japan. With 470 robots per 10k employees, China’s robot density has doubled in four years. [Michael Ouellette] – the robots are already here