Extreme Weekly #12
E-Commerce Outbreaks Brick & Mortar, 100 Snakes, Parlays, AI, Guinness Book Of Noodles & More
February 9th 2025
Hello People, Hope you have smashed the week and are gearing right up for the next. Been a bit of a mad one in the world, too many things happening at once.
I hope this helps you take a 5-10 minute break, read and wind down.
Thank you all for reading and subscribing. shweet!
01. 🎥 Lost 1915 Silent Film About Abraham Lincoln Discovered!
A long-lost silent film about Abraham Lincoln, The Heart of Lincoln (1915), has been unearthed in a film archive in Long Island. Starring Francis Ford, brother of legendary director John Ford. The film was previously believed to be lost forever, like thousands of silent-era movies.
The discovery was made by a film student sorting through old reels, who recognized Ford playing Lincoln in a heartfelt story about his leadership during the Civil War.
Historians are thrilled, calling it a rare cinematic time capsule. Plans are now underway to digitize and restore the film, giving modern audiences a glimpse at this forgotten piece of history.
02. 🐍 Over 100 Venomous Snakes Found in Sydney Backyard!
In a startling discovery, Sydney resident David Stein uncovered a massive congregation of red-bellied black snakes in his backyard mulch pile. After noticing several snakes, Stein contacted Reptile Relocation Sydney.
Snake catcher Dylan Cooper arrived and, with Stein's assistance, removed a total of 102 snakes, five adults and 97 newborns.
Experts suggest that the snakes may have gathered due to a shortage of suitable birthing sites or for safety in numbers. The captured snakes were safely relocated to a national park, far from residential areas.
Stein plans to remove the mulch following this incident to prevent future snake gatherings.
03. Chinese Chef Crafts World's Thinnest Handmade Noodle
In an extraordinary culinary feat, Chinese chef Li Enhai has set a new Guinness World Record by creating the world's thinnest handmade noodle, measuring a mere 0.18 millimeters in thickness.
Li's achievement surpasses previous records and showcases the pinnacle of noodle-making artistry. His technique involves meticulous kneading and stretching of the dough to achieve such an ultra-fine consistency.
This accomplishment highlights the rich tradition of Chinese noodle craftsmanship and pushes the boundaries of what is possible in culinary arts.
The record-breaking noodle has garnered international attention, inspiring chefs and food enthusiasts worldwide to explore the intricate techniques of handmade noodle preparation.
04. 🏈 The Super Bowl’s Biggest Winner? Parlays.
As millions of fans gear up to place their bets on the Super Bowl, sportsbooks are already celebrating their biggest moneymaker: parlays. These high-risk, high-reward bets bundle multiple wagers together, offering longer odds but requiring every leg to hit for a payout. While they entice bettors with the promise of massive winnings, the reality is that parlays overwhelmingly favor the house.
From January to October 2023, parlays made up about 27% of all sports bets in states like New Jersey, Illinois, and Colorado, generating a staggering 56% of total sportsbook revenue. With an estimated $1.4 billion in bets expected for this year’s Super Bowl, that means around $200 million in easy money flowing into sportsbook pockets. Despite a slowdown in gambling legalization, parlays, often dubbed “sucker bets” by seasoned gamblers, continue to fuel the industry’s growth.
05. 🛒 Amazon Poised to Overtake Walmart in Revenue
Amazon just delivered a major blow to Walmart’s long-standing reign as the world’s top revenue-generating company. In Q4, Amazon raked in a staggering $187.8 billion, likely surpassing Walmart’s projected $180 billion for the same period. If confirmed, this would mark the first time the e-commerce giant has out-earned its brick-and-mortar rival in a single quarter.
While Walmart dominates in grocery sales, Amazon’s explosive growth in cloud computing (AWS) and digital advertising has fueled its revenue surge. AWS alone now accounts for 17% of Amazon’s annual sales, while its ad business brought in $14 billion last quarter. Meanwhile, Walmart is fighting back by expanding its digital ad operations, even acquiring TV maker Vizio to compete with Amazon’s Prime Video advertising strategy.
The battle for retail supremacy is far from over, but one thing is clear—Amazon is no longer just the underdog.
06.
👔 Bill Nye Struts the Runway at New York Fashion Week
Science communicator Bill Nye, you remember, the dude who use to teak everyone via video in science class. Now, he’s showcased his different side at the 9th Annual Blue Jacket Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week. At 69, Nye confidently walked the runway in a Thom Browne ensemble featuring a navy blue bomber jacket adorned with Greek mythology motifs and black shorts that highlighted his legs, black crew socks, and dress shoes. Adding a touch of flair, he donned dark sunglasses mid-walk, engaging the audience with a playful salute and wave.
This isn't Nye's first foray into fashion; he previously participated in the Blue Jacket Fashion Show in 2017 and 2020, the latter of which went viral when he danced to Lizzo's "Juice" in a Nicholas Graham tuxedo. The event, organized by Zero Cancer, aims to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer research—a cause close to Nye, whose father battled the disease.
go on bill
Quizzz
Q1: What’s the closest man-made object to the sun?
Q2: Which country recently announced a plan to build a floating city?
Q3: What strange material was recently found inside a 4.5-billion-year-old meteorite?
07. 📝 Writing for an Audience of AIs?
As debates over AI training data rage on, some authors are fighting to keep their work out, while others are looking for ways to get in. Microsoft recently offered HarperCollins $5,000 for the rights to use journalist Alice Robb’s 2018 book in its AI training data—she’d receive half. With no clear value on such deals, Robb ultimately took the money, concluding that resisting was futile.
Meanwhile, some thinkers are shifting focus. Economist Tyler Cowen suggests writers should actively consider AI as part of their audience, crafting work that influences how AI interprets and generates information. Marketers are already adapting, with AI-driven purchasing decisions changing the way brands promote products. As AI agents increasingly power research for journalists and policymakers, getting content in front of AI could become just as important as reaching human readers.
08. 💼 The Value of Financial Advisors: Are They Worth the Investment?
Recent studies suggest that working with a financial advisor can significantly enhance financial well-being. For instance, a Vanguard study found that a hypothetical $500,000 investment could grow to over $3.4 million under an advisor's care over 25 years, compared to $1.69 million if managed independently.
Beyond potential financial gains, advisors offer personalized strategies tailored to your goals, risk tolerance, and economic situation. They can help you navigate complex financial decisions, optimize tax strategies, and provide peace of mind, especially during market volatility.
While advisors typically charge around 1% of assets under management, their benefits often outweigh the costs, leading to greater financial security and growth over time.
Hm, is it worth it? seems so
Fire Facts
The Earth is 147.1 million km from the sun… but that distance actually changes daily due to its elliptical orbit.
Romanian economist Stefan Mandel won the lottery 14 times using a mathematical loophole before being banned.
In 1518, hundreds of people in Strasbourg, France, danced non-stop for days in a mass hysteria event called the Dancing Plague, with some reportedly dying from exhaustion.
Scientists have found a planet called WASP-76b where it literally rains molten iron due to extreme heat.
Quiz Answers
Q1 - Voyager 1
Q2 - South Korea
Q3 - A never-before-seen mineral
:D