U.S. productivity jumped in the second quarter of 2020 as offices closed, and stayed at a heightened level through 2021. Then, when companies started mandating a return to the office in early 2022, productivity dropped sharply. https://fortune.com/2023/02/16/return-office-real-reason-slump-productivity-data-careers-gleb-tsipursky/

Sitar, early to mid-1800s, at the Musical Instrument Museum https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFdxfaUWzUw

"Women and girls have been discriminated against for too long in a twisted interpretation of the word of God."--Jimmy Carter, 2009

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/losing-my-religion-for-equality-20090714-dk0v.html

A 16th-century drawing of a nude man, seen from behind, has been identified as a study by Michelangelo for his monumental masterpiece, the ceiling fresco of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/feb/19/when-we-rotated-it-90-degrees-it-was-obvious-mystery-sketch-is-rare-michelangelo-draft-for-sistine-chapel

Even the ancient Roman philosopher Seneca the Younger was worried about new technologies degrading his ability to focus. https://aeon.co/essays/weve-always-been-distracted-or-at-least-worried-that-we-are

"Perfection [in design] is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away."
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

This is the private library of Jay Walker, who founded Priceline.com, in a wing of his home in Ridgefield, Connecticut. LIBRARY PORN!
http://www.walkerdigital.com/the-walker-library_video-tour.html

The wood stork may soon fly off the endangered species list thanks to an epic recovery effort in Florida that has increased breeding pairs from 5,000 pairs in 1984 to over 10,000 pairs today. https://www.npr.org/2023/02/14/1157052550/wood-stork-endangered-species-list

Some objects can transcend their original form. Over a year after the first jar vanished, another showed up. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/why-pickles-highway-missouri

TIL that in the 1800s bananas were seen as “immoral fruit” because of their shape. Fruit companies began issuing postcards of women eating bananas to advertise the fruit wasn’t taboo.

Fascinating history of United Fruit. So much I didn't know!
https://www.npr.org/transcripts/899439327

A handful of companies own the patents on virtually every seed planted in the US. Now, a new crop of unowned seeds is bringing biodiversity back to farming.
https://worldsensorium.com/open-source-seeds-loosen-big-ags-grip-on-farmers/

Another AI website! This one generates handwriting in nine different styles. https://www.calligrapher.ai

Jimmy Carter, at 98 the oldest living former president, has chosen to spend his final days at home in Plains, Ga., in hospice care after a series of brief hospital stays, the Carter Center announced Saturday. https://wapo.st/3kaKLHI

In an era of shaky political leadership, England's most dutiful public servant has reached an important milestone. Larry the Cat celebrated his 12th year as Chief Mouser for No. 10 Downing St. https://www.npr.org/2023/02/16/1157507569/larry-cat-no-10-downing-street-british

In 1923, dozens of American automobile manufacturers, including little-remembered brands like Jordan, Kissel, and Lycoming, were eager to sell their wares to Americans.
https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2023/02/automobile-ads-from-100-years-ago/

Anyone here want to work with me at #Redis? We're hiring a growth marketing manager. https://redis.com/company/careers/jobs/senior-growth-marketing-manager/

On the night of February 1, 1976, Elvis Presley took his private jet from Graceland to Denver and back in one night because he was craving an 8,000 calorie sandwich made from a hollowed out loaf filled with an entire jar of peanut butter, one jar of jelly, and a pound of bacon. https://www.messynessychic.com/2015/09/15/elvis-presleys-legendary-midnight-sandwich-run-on-his-private-jet/

Released 40 years ago in February 1983, this gothic aria became an unprecedented international success that pushed the boundaries of melodrama in pop music.
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230209-total-eclipse-of-the-heart-the-most-epic-song-ever-written

A new online collection presents all of the original illustrations from Charles Dickens's novels https://www.openculture.com/2023/01/the-charles-dickens-illustrated-gallery.html

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