Hello.
Happy New Year.
I hope 2020 is your most memorable, happiest, most fulfilling year yet.
I have missed writing this newsletter, and I am glad to be back.
Let’s begin
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/world-africa-48885616
Photographs preserve slices of history for posterity and remembrance.
Here’s a profile of one of the best photographers to ever do it.
Also featuring: Nelson Mandela without shoes.
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My Double Life as a KGB Agent
I grew up reading Tom Clancy, and spy stories still hold a certain appeal for me, especially when, like this one, they are true
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https://getpocket.com/explore/item/how-to-get-a-world-class-education-for-free-on-the-internet
How to Get a World-Class Education for Free on the Internet
I honestly cannot wait till MOOCs are recognized as having similar value to formal education. There’s so much to learn, and one regrets that one does not have time to learn it all.
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https://www.diversetechgeek.com/2018/02/02/how-block-twitter-trolls-bulk/
How to block Twitter trolls (or otherwise block Twitter users in bulk).
You’re welcome
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How to win prestigious, exclusive scholarships.
There’s much here I didn’t know, and I consider myself a pretty up-to-date guy. This will help you, guaranteed.
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33 things (we all should know).
Ore Fakorede is a wise man
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https://www.firstthings.com/article/2020/01/bodily-curiosities
Bodily Curiosities: Musings on the mysteries of physical existence
Excellent writing.
The human body is fascinating, and this is a humorous, well-written attempt to explain a lot about it.
Take it from this 82 year old man: there’s much to learn.
One can only wish to be this sharp at 82
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The Crazy Story of How Soviet Russia Bugged an American Embassy’s Typewriters
How do you bug a mechanical contraption, you ask?
It’s ingenious, this bugging. As both an engineer and a lover of spy stories, I am beyond impressed, and were I the counterintelligence officer on this case, I wouldn’t even be mad at them.
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https://medium.com/@AOT2/25-greatest-nigerian-songs-of-all-time-vol-1-d42897141a49?
25 Greatest Nigerian Songs Of All Time Vol. 1
I have to say I agree with this list.
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https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a28692306/us-air-force-pararescue-tamar-rescue-mission
The Savior Elite: Inside the Special Operations Force Tasked with Rescuing Navy SEALS
I cannot convey how impressed I am by these people. Do you know how much of a savior/hero you need to be for SEALS (who themselves are afraid of nothing) to turn to you for help?
I want to stand and applaud. Truly, heroes dwell among us
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https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition30/tryanny.html
NASA: The Tyranny of the Rocket Equation
This is a stupendous read.
It gets better and better with every line.
I’m in awe of people who write so well and break down technical topics such that anyone can understand
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https://waitbutwhy.com/2015/12/the-tail-end.html
The Tail End.
Damn.
Puts into perspective a lot of things in life.
Almost everything you’re hustling for in life is not the thing that’s most important thing to you.
The most important things are both non-fungible and non-renewable
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https://humanparts.medium.com/accidental-lessons-i-learned-from-my-father-5ba4e02d28cc
Accidental Lessons I Learned from My Father
“Where you are, I’ve been; where I am, you’re coming.”
Fathers (often) know best, but one thing they are not very knowledgeable about is allowing you the opportunity to live your lives on your own terms. It’s refreshing to see this father actively, consistently buck the trend.
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That’s it for today.
Thank you for reading.
Catch you again soon.
Ranchosblog 