smart & curious
A couple of intriguing science-y things
This black hole is blowing bubbles—each of which contains “400 million billion pounds of matter—about 1,000 Halley’s comets worth.”
A new kind of laser now lets us ‘see’ creatures in the depths of the ocean in 3-D detail. And it turns out this gorgeous creature is actually a giant blob of snot ROFL.
A list of good reads
- BBC News has a brilliant read on how geography creates specific forms of mental illness—unique to that culture. Example: Kora, the fear that your penis is shrinking or your nipples are retracting into your body (in the case of women).
- So we have a Marvel Cinematic Universe. What if we had the same for the Ramayana or Mahabharata? Karthik Srinivasan creates a delightful fantasy version of both.
- CNN explains how your washing machine is pouring a deluge of microfibers into the ocean. Ergo, giving up plastic bags isn’t enough.
- There’s been plenty of photo galleries on designer labels pivoting to face masks. Quartz takes a look at the business model behind it.
- The beloved bookstore and cafe Full Circle is shutting shop in Khan Market. One of its owners explains why in Scroll.
- Huffington Post has an engaging read on how the pandemic changed what Indian women look for in men.
Last, but not least: Butterflies!
Yes, these pretty creatures are the kitschy fashion trend of the summer season. And they’re turning up everywhere!