Escaping into Books: The Power of Reading and Reflection

It's no big surprise to me, but it turns out books and libraries have a positive impact on readers' lives. I’m always a bit skeptical of such studies, but I couldn’t resist this confirmation bias once I saw it. 🙂 I must admit, I love reading but rarely visit libraries—something I plan to change this year. For me, the main benefits of reading are: - It transports me to different worlds and perspectives. - It helps me escape the present moment and take a long-term view on topics. - It expands my knowledge and broadens my horizons. - It fosters personal growth and self-reflection. - It allows me to engage with my thoughts and enjoy solitude. As for the study, it suggests that libraries: - Help people feel calmer and more at peace. - Prepare individuals for the complexities of the world. - Serve as valuable sources of knowledge. - Support personal growth and development. When was the last time you visited a library or picked up a book? Give it a try—you might just enjoy it. (text revised by a LLM) https://lithub.com/its-official-research-has-found-that-libraries-make-everything-better/

- Pedro

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Books read throughout 2024! not a bad year

Throughout 2021 I’ve read 21 books, 5.745 pages and my average rating was 3.5 on Goodreads. The full list was the following: 1.Disciplina sin lágrimas 2.Até ao fim 3.The BlackSwan 4.A brief history of time 5.Raving Fans 6.Price and peace 7.Obvious Adams 8.Fascim 9.Os Ratoneiros 10.The secret language of competitive intelligence 11.Do dice play God 12.Strategy beyond the hockey stick 13.How to take smart notes 14.How to decide 15.The pyramid principle 16.12 rules for life 17.Deus na escuridao 18.The tipping point 19.Value-Based pricing 20.Win, keep, grow 21.Sobre la brevedad de la vida Hope 2025 i will make it to 25, but the most important is that i pick good ones, learn and enjoy myself in the journey. https://www.goodreads.com/user/year_in_books/2024/71159677

- Pedro

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How Math Connects Fireflies, Clocks, and Computing

A fascinating video featuring Steve Strogatz explores the power of mathematics and how it reveals hidden patterns in the world that would otherwise remain undiscovered. In one example, Strogatz discusses a study where he and his colleagues explained why fireflies begin flashing in unison. This phenomenon, initially thought to be purely biological, was redefined as a mathematical problem. Building on these findings, engineers developed a method to synchronize small electronic clocks, demonstrating how the mathematical principles from the study extend to fields like distributed computing and sensor networks. Mathematical abstraction—a cornerstone of mathematical reasoning—strips away irrelevant details, allowing us to focus on the fundamental elements of a problem. This approach uncovers connections and commonalities across diverse phenomena and scientific disciplines. I hope you enjoy the video as much as I did! (text revised by a LLM) https://youtu.be/kV-pnbtfraE

- Pedro

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How Games Shaped Probability, Strategy, and Economics

An excellent Economist’s Podcast that features Kelly Clancy—a neuroscientist, physicist, and author of Playing With Reality—discussing the profound impact of games on our lives and societal dynamics. Clancy emphasizes that games are a powerful form of learning, shaping how we think and interact with the world. Games like Chess, Go, Dice, and Cards introduced humanity to the concept of uncertainty, paving the way for probability theory (via Pascal and Fermat’s correspondence) and, subsequently, modern statistics. The episode also highlights the critical role of war games, such as Chess and Go, which evolved into more complex systems like Kriegsspiel. The latter was instrumental in training military officers and predicting battlefield outcomes, particularly during World War II. Clancy then connects this history to Game Theory, one of the most significant developments in economics, pioneered by John von Neumann. Game Theory has informed concepts like nuclear deterrence and continues to influence modern strategic thinking. However, it’s essential to complement it with insights from behavioral economics to understand human decision-making fully. The takeaway? Games are not just entertainment; they’re essential tools for education and skill-building. They can influence our behavior, shape our knowledge, and enhance problem-solving abilities. For instance, Miegakure (https://miegakure.com/) challenges players to solve problems in four dimensions—a fascinating way to expand your cognitive boundaries. All of this in just 38 minutes (at normal speed)—a fantastic return on your time! (revised by a LLM) The surprising ways in which games have changed the world—an interview with Kelly Clancy https://www.economist.com/podcasts/2024/11/27/the-surprising-ways-in-which-games-have-changed-the-world-an-interview-with-kelly-clancy

- Pedro

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The Perfect Blend: Fun, Educational, and Inspiring Gifts for Kids

With Christmas fast approaching, I find myself pondering the same question as every year: What gifts can I give my kids that are not only entertaining but also educational and encourage them to broaden their horizons? I must admit, it’s not an easy question to answer. However, yesterday I came across a list that I found incredibly helpful. If you’re facing the same dilemma, take a look—you might just find the perfect pick for your little ones! 1-Beast Academy Puzzle Books https://beastacademy.com/books/puzzles1?utm_source=artofproblemsolving.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=2024_holiday_gift_guide&utm_content=ba_puzzles&croid=oeu1732952611794r0.3256738505153991&croid=oeu1732952611794r0.3256738505153991 2-The Genius Square https://www.happypuzzle.co.uk/family-puzzles-and-games/the-genius-collection/genius-square 3-The Genius Square https://www.happypuzzle.co.uk/family-puzzles-and-games/the-genius-collection/genius-square 4-Kanoodle https://www.educationalinsights.com/item-kanoodle-174-extreme 5-NY Times Games Gift Subscription https://myaccount.nytimes.com/get-started/payment?gift=true&campaignId=8FKFF&o=24990602-efeb-4118-bd79-8aecbd904b7a 6- AoPS Online Gift Certificate https://artofproblemsolving.com/store/gift-certificates.php?croid=oeu1732952611794r0.3256738505153991 7-Beast Academy Online https://beastacademy.com/online?utm_source=artofproblemsolving.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=2024_holiday_gift_guide&utm_content=ba_online&croid=oeu1732952611794r0.3256738505153991&croid=oeu1732952611794r0.3256738505153991 8-Blokus https://www.amazon.com/Mattel-Blokus-Game/dp/B079TCL3J4/ref=pd_lpo_d_sccl_1/146-6209669-6242166?pd_rd_w=frV7V&content-id=amzn1.sym.4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_p=4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_r=X03A1X8YQ6SCR2VSJGXY&pd_rd_wg=5cj8V&pd_rd_r=00edc589-97e5-427b-8f25-fe4f1edddfc4&pd_rd_i=B079TCL3J4&psc=1 9-LOGIC! Case Starter Set https://www.habausa.com/products/logic-case-starter-set-7 10-Math Games with Bad Drawings https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/ben-orlin/math-games-with-bad-drawings-the-ultimate-game-collection/9780762499878/ 11-Azul https://www.nextmove-games.com/en/azul/azul-game/ 12-Primes https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFD148GK?ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_KZXYCJ768H4WV2K9MCHE&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_KZXYCJ768H4WV2K9MCHE&social_share=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_KZXYCJ768H4WV2K9MCHE 13-KiwiCo Labs https://www.kiwico.com/labs 14-Makeblock mBot2: STEM Education Coding Robot Kit for AI Learning https://www.makeblock.com/products/buy-mbot2 15-LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime Set https://education.lego.com/en-us/products/lego-education-spike-prime-set/45678/?ef_id=Cj0KCQjw99e4BhDiARIsAISE7P80w5OrPSGct8sSqfaSGN4E1V-ULLInryfraRqZAG-e4T0rNc0GecwaApMIEALw_wcB%3AG%3As&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw99e4BhDiARIsAISE7P80w5OrPSGct8sSqfaSGN4E1V-ULLInryfraRqZAG-e4T0rNc0GecwaApMIEALw_wcB&mtm_campaign=GO-US-EN-BR-PS-BUY-EDUCATION-SPIKE_PRIME-SHOP-BP-EX-RN-XX&mtm_cid=MTM-H3R7-G4D2T1&mtm_content=Brand+-+General_Exact&mtm_kwd=spike+robot+lego&mtm_medium=paid-search&mtm_source=google&s_kwcid=AL%21790%213%21341433731741%21e%21%21g%21%21spike+robot+lego&s_kwcid=AL%21790%213%21341433731741%21e%21%21g%21%21spike+robot+lego#product 16-HackPack https://www.crunchlabs.com/products/hack-pack-subscription?product-handle=hp-subscription-paid-annually https://artofproblemsolving.com/resources/holiday-guide

- Pedro

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