Words of Wisdom — February 13, 2014

John McEnroe on Aging

“The older I get, the better I used to be.” – John McEnroe (born on this date in 1959)

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A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

“The older I get, the better I used to be.” – John McEnroe (born on this date in 1959)

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Collaged image of text and a black-and-white scene with a dinosaur and mountainous backdrop. The year "1950" is visible in the bottom left corner.

The Past

How the search for dinosaurs on Venus exposed a warning for Earth

Dinosaurs and other beasts were once thought to be the “undisputed masters” of Venus.

A historical timeline featuring notable figures from 1400 to present, including scientists, writers, politicians, and artists. The timeline is categorized by different historical eras.

Strange Maps

Mapping time: The surprising overlaps of history’s most influential minds

“The Big Map of Who Lived When” plots the lifespans of historical figures — from Eminem all the way back to Genghis Khan.

A person lies in bed reading a book, wearing a white blouse, in a painting with soft, muted colors.

High Culture

ChatGPT is great at summarizing books. But will AI ever write a true work of literature?

With the right prompts, large language models can produce quality writing — and make us question the limits of human creativity.

The Future

How Arc Institute is bringing science into the century of biology

There is one obstacle that reliably blocks innovative ideas: how we fund science.

Four images of tennis matches on grass courts, showing different stages of play, each with two players. The courts show varying degrees of wear from fresh to significantly worn.

Strange Maps

Do these pictures prove tennis is dead?

How has tennis changed in recent decades? The wear and tear on Wimbledon’s Centre Court may tell the tale.

Up Next

Words of Wisdom

Frederick Douglass on Learning

“A little learning, indeed, may be a dangerous thing, but the want of learning is a calamity to any people.” – Frederick Douglass (born on this date in 1818)