Robert DelRossi
@rdelrossi.com
Tech/Ops executive; foodie; data science nerd, history buff; music lover, though alas not a musician; serious Red Sox fan.
Visualizing history linearly, on a timeline, is common today, but it wasn’t always that way. Cyclical and linear conceptions of time thrived side by side for centuries. But in the 19th century, four developments pushed us to change.
When we turned time into a line, we reimagined past and future | Aeon Essays
In the 19th century, the linear idea of time became dominant – with profound implications for how we experience the world
aeon.co
January 18, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Visualizing history linearly, on a timeline, is common today, but it wasn’t always that way. Cyclical and linear conceptions of time thrived side by side for centuries. But in the 19th century, four developments pushed us to change.
70% of French fry lovers spill ketchup when dipping on the go. 80% say they’ve considered skipping condiments altogether. Heinz won’t hear of it. They say they have the answer, coming soon to sports stadiums around the world.
Heinz’s Ingenious New French Fry Container Has a Secret Pocket for Ketchup Dipping
This is brilliant! Why has it taken this long for this to be invented??
mymodernmet.com
January 16, 2026 at 8:58 PM
70% of French fry lovers spill ketchup when dipping on the go. 80% say they’ve considered skipping condiments altogether. Heinz won’t hear of it. They say they have the answer, coming soon to sports stadiums around the world.
Non-painters might be surprised by how long—and how passionately—the pros and cons of black pigment have been kicked around. Then, Leonardo da Vinci recommended adding black to create the light-dark effect we call chiaroscuro, and all hell broke loose.
Paint It Black - The American Scholar
The allure of the pigment that has polarized like no other
theamericanscholar.org
January 15, 2026 at 1:26 AM
Non-painters might be surprised by how long—and how passionately—the pros and cons of black pigment have been kicked around. Then, Leonardo da Vinci recommended adding black to create the light-dark effect we call chiaroscuro, and all hell broke loose.
The Universe’s normal matter consists of atoms. Every atom’s nucleus contains protons, whose number determines that element’s properties. Over 100 elements, sortable into a periodic table, are presently known. Only eight processes occur to create them all.
The 8 ways that all the elements in the Universe are made
There are over 100 known elements in the periodic table. These 8 ways of making them account for each and every one.
bigthink.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:35 PM
The Universe’s normal matter consists of atoms. Every atom’s nucleus contains protons, whose number determines that element’s properties. Over 100 elements, sortable into a periodic table, are presently known. Only eight processes occur to create them all.
Time-saving, premade food is the fastest-growing category in the grocery business. To reduce waste, stores try to sell their oldest stock first, but paradoxically that’s actually counterproductive.
A better way to sell premade food could cut waste and boost sales
Grocery stores typically place older products in front. New research suggests the opposite approach actually works best.
phys.org
January 10, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Time-saving, premade food is the fastest-growing category in the grocery business. To reduce waste, stores try to sell their oldest stock first, but paradoxically that’s actually counterproductive.
Despite vast differences in human and bee brains, both of us can do math. Might mathematics form the basis for a “universal language,” that one day could be used to help us communicate between the stars?
Can we use bees as a model of intelligent alien life to develop interstellar communication?
Humans and bees can both work with mathematics. Could aliens do the same?
theconversation.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:05 PM
Despite vast differences in human and bee brains, both of us can do math. Might mathematics form the basis for a “universal language,” that one day could be used to help us communicate between the stars?
Coffeehouses aren’t new. They date back to the 16th-century and emerged in North America in Boston in 1676. Unlike taverns, coffeehouses were intellectual hubs and meeting places for dissenters and resistence.
In Colonial America, Patriots Flocked to Coffeehouses to Debate Politics and Sow the Seeds of Revolution
These storied establishments served up more than just hot drinks. They acted as intellectual hubs and meeting places for dissenters
www.smithsonianmag.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Coffeehouses aren’t new. They date back to the 16th-century and emerged in North America in Boston in 1676. Unlike taverns, coffeehouses were intellectual hubs and meeting places for dissenters and resistence.
For research or inspiration, hundreds of digitized cocktail books from around the world, some dating back to the 18th century. A free trove of drinking history.
EUVS Vintage Cocktail Books – Library
Vintage Cocktail Books Free Digital Library
The E.U.V.S. stands for Exposition Universelle des Vins et Spiritueux, which refers to a Museum in Bendor Island in south of France. The Museum is dedica...
euvs-vintage-cocktail-books.cld.bz
January 5, 2026 at 3:54 PM
For research or inspiration, hundreds of digitized cocktail books from around the world, some dating back to the 18th century. A free trove of drinking history.
@dharam.bsky.social Funnel Pro user here 👋
Can I use Funnel through the share sheet? I can’t seem to
Figure out how to make that work. Appreciate your help.
Can I use Funnel through the share sheet? I can’t seem to
Figure out how to make that work. Appreciate your help.
November 11, 2025 at 5:52 PM
@dharam.bsky.social Funnel Pro user here 👋
Can I use Funnel through the share sheet? I can’t seem to
Figure out how to make that work. Appreciate your help.
Can I use Funnel through the share sheet? I can’t seem to
Figure out how to make that work. Appreciate your help.
We’ve all seen or even visited the destruction of the ancient city of Pompeii after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
But not everyone died, and the ones that escaped left with quite a story to tell.
But not everyone died, and the ones that escaped left with quite a story to tell.
'It's really an extraordinary story,' historian Steven Tuck says of the Romans he tracked who survived the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius
"I have found two or three rich guys, but I found a couple hundred middle class and even some desperately poor people who made it out and left records. And that shocked me."
www.livescience.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:23 PM
We’ve all seen or even visited the destruction of the ancient city of Pompeii after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
But not everyone died, and the ones that escaped left with quite a story to tell.
But not everyone died, and the ones that escaped left with quite a story to tell.
@simonwillison.net Having discovered your blog only recently, I can’t tell you how happy I was to find your chronological “How I use LLMs and ChatGPT” playlist.
Very thoughtful to structure it like that. The latest was a sip from the firehouse for me, but now I’m working through from the beginning.
Very thoughtful to structure it like that. The latest was a sip from the firehouse for me, but now I’m working through from the beginning.
October 9, 2025 at 3:55 PM
@simonwillison.net Having discovered your blog only recently, I can’t tell you how happy I was to find your chronological “How I use LLMs and ChatGPT” playlist.
Very thoughtful to structure it like that. The latest was a sip from the firehouse for me, but now I’m working through from the beginning.
Very thoughtful to structure it like that. The latest was a sip from the firehouse for me, but now I’m working through from the beginning.
100 years ago, deep thinkers imagined life in 2025. Some theories, like synchronized clocks, skyscrapers, and reading books on tablets, were on the money, but others not so much. And some ideas still seem light years away.
From immortality to ugly people: 100-year-old predictions about 2025
Visionaries of 1925 made their best guesses about the 21st century. Predictions included world peace, food shortages and 150-year-old people.
www.beaconjournal.com
July 21, 2025 at 3:50 PM
100 years ago, deep thinkers imagined life in 2025. Some theories, like synchronized clocks, skyscrapers, and reading books on tablets, were on the money, but others not so much. And some ideas still seem light years away.
French relies heavily on accents, or more specifically, diacritical marks like the cedilla in “Français.”
Ironically, though, it’s the influence of French, albeit an earlier version of the language, that explains why English doesn’t use accents. Fascinating.
Ironically, though, it’s the influence of French, albeit an earlier version of the language, that explains why English doesn’t use accents. Fascinating.
Why English doesn’t use accents
And why French is full of them
www.deadlanguagesociety.com
July 10, 2025 at 12:30 PM
French relies heavily on accents, or more specifically, diacritical marks like the cedilla in “Français.”
Ironically, though, it’s the influence of French, albeit an earlier version of the language, that explains why English doesn’t use accents. Fascinating.
Ironically, though, it’s the influence of French, albeit an earlier version of the language, that explains why English doesn’t use accents. Fascinating.
Our glowing brains: Living tissues emit low-intensity light, or biophotons. The more energy a tissue burns, the more light it gives off—which means, of our body’s tissues, our brains may glow brightest of all. www.scientificamerican.com/article/your...
Your Brain Is Glowing, and Scientists Can't Figure Out Why
Researchers have measured the brain’s faint glow for the first time, hinting at a potential role of “biophotons” in cognition
www.scientificamerican.com
July 9, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Our glowing brains: Living tissues emit low-intensity light, or biophotons. The more energy a tissue burns, the more light it gives off—which means, of our body’s tissues, our brains may glow brightest of all. www.scientificamerican.com/article/your...
Reposted by Robert DelRossi
Lincoln once was asked, "If you called a dog's tail a leg, how many legs would he have?"
"Four," he answered. "Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it one."
"Four," he answered. "Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it one."
May 13, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Lincoln once was asked, "If you called a dog's tail a leg, how many legs would he have?"
"Four," he answered. "Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it one."
"Four," he answered. "Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it one."
Major categories of visible life on Earth had been settled for centuries. But in the 1980s scientists found “intraterrestrials,”microscopic organisms living deep inside Earth’s crust. These microbes proved that what we thought about the boundaries of life was wrong — and wildly so.
There’s Life Inside Earth’s Crust | NOEMA
Revelations about microbes living deep inside Earth’s crust are challenging scientists’ conceptions of life and how it evolves.
www.noemamag.com
April 22, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Major categories of visible life on Earth had been settled for centuries. But in the 1980s scientists found “intraterrestrials,”microscopic organisms living deep inside Earth’s crust. These microbes proved that what we thought about the boundaries of life was wrong — and wildly so.
Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” Chicago’s debut “Chicago Transit Authority,” the original cast recording of “Hamilton,” Mary J. Blige’s “My Life,” and Microsoft’s reboot chime among 2025 entrants to the National Recording Registry.
Take a “Fast Car” to the 2025 National Recording Registry | Timeless
The 2025 class of the National Recording Registry is out today! Headliners include Elton John’s monumental album “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” Chicago’s debut “Chicago Transit Authority,” the original ...
blogs.loc.gov
April 9, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” Chicago’s debut “Chicago Transit Authority,” the original cast recording of “Hamilton,” Mary J. Blige’s “My Life,” and Microsoft’s reboot chime among 2025 entrants to the National Recording Registry.
A pacemaker so small, it can be injected into place. Impressive.
It’s also: powered by our own body fluids, activated from outside the body by light signals, and dissolves away when it’s done working.
Futuristic engineering from Northwestern University.
It’s also: powered by our own body fluids, activated from outside the body by light signals, and dissolves away when it’s done working.
Futuristic engineering from Northwestern University.
World's smallest injectable pacemaker powers itself using body fluids
The device is smaller than a grain of rice and can be paired with a soft, wireless wearable designed to be attached to the patient’s chest.
interestingengineering.com
April 2, 2025 at 5:39 PM
A pacemaker so small, it can be injected into place. Impressive.
It’s also: powered by our own body fluids, activated from outside the body by light signals, and dissolves away when it’s done working.
Futuristic engineering from Northwestern University.
It’s also: powered by our own body fluids, activated from outside the body by light signals, and dissolves away when it’s done working.
Futuristic engineering from Northwestern University.
Prime numbers, those divisible by 1 and themselves, are easy to find at first. There’s 2, 3, 5, 7, 11. But things get harder as the numbers get bigger.
For the first time in 6 years, there’s a new largest-ever prime, and it has over 40 million digits.
For the first time in 6 years, there’s a new largest-ever prime, and it has over 40 million digits.
How a Record-Breaking Prime Number with 41 Million Digits Was Discovered
The discovery of a new prime number highlights the rising price of mathematical gold
www.scientificamerican.com
February 22, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Prime numbers, those divisible by 1 and themselves, are easy to find at first. There’s 2, 3, 5, 7, 11. But things get harder as the numbers get bigger.
For the first time in 6 years, there’s a new largest-ever prime, and it has over 40 million digits.
For the first time in 6 years, there’s a new largest-ever prime, and it has over 40 million digits.
The Internet is a vast ocean of human knowledge, but it isn't infinite. And Al researchers have nearly sucked it dry. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
The AI revolution is running out of data. What can researchers do?
AI developers are rapidly picking the Internet clean to train large language models such as those behind ChatGPT. Here’s how they are trying to get around the problem.
www.nature.com
December 16, 2024 at 11:56 PM
The Internet is a vast ocean of human knowledge, but it isn't infinite. And Al researchers have nearly sucked it dry. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Imagine a camera so small but so capable that it can capture full-color images comparable to a conventional camera that’s 500,000 times bigger.
The device, the size of a grain of salt, is the work of researchers at Princeton University and the University of Washington. cacm.acm.org/news/a-camer...
The device, the size of a grain of salt, is the work of researchers at Princeton University and the University of Washington. cacm.acm.org/news/a-camer...
A Camera the Size of a Grain of Salt Could Change Imaging as We Know It – Communications of the ACM
cacm.acm.org
November 29, 2024 at 7:02 PM
Imagine a camera so small but so capable that it can capture full-color images comparable to a conventional camera that’s 500,000 times bigger.
The device, the size of a grain of salt, is the work of researchers at Princeton University and the University of Washington. cacm.acm.org/news/a-camer...
The device, the size of a grain of salt, is the work of researchers at Princeton University and the University of Washington. cacm.acm.org/news/a-camer...
Lobster, eels, clams, and mussels were among the dishes at the first Thanksgiving. Birds and deer, too, but alas, no potatoes. j.mp/2JjE96T #Thanksgiving
What Food Was Served at the First Thanksgiving in 1621?
Turkey may have been part of the holiday meal, along with venison, shellfish and corn, but pies and potatoes were decidedly not on the menu
j.mp
November 28, 2024 at 3:16 PM
Lobster, eels, clams, and mussels were among the dishes at the first Thanksgiving. Birds and deer, too, but alas, no potatoes. j.mp/2JjE96T #Thanksgiving
US President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, October 3, 1789. j.mp/3lfRP0k #Thanksgiving #history
A Thanksgiving Presidential Proclamation
Today’s post comes from Bailey Martin of the National Archives History Office. A Proclamation: Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will,…
j.mp
November 28, 2024 at 7:11 AM
US President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, October 3, 1789. j.mp/3lfRP0k #Thanksgiving #history
Massive buildings subtly affect how Earth spins and the length of our days. It all has to do with something called the “moment of inertia.” The more mass an object has (and the further away it is from the centre of rotation), the more it resists spinning. www.sciencefocus.com/news/human-s...
Mega-buildings are now slowing Earth’s spin. Here’s what that means for the planet
A huge dam in China is changing how long a day is.
www.sciencefocus.com
November 23, 2024 at 5:49 PM
Massive buildings subtly affect how Earth spins and the length of our days. It all has to do with something called the “moment of inertia.” The more mass an object has (and the further away it is from the centre of rotation), the more it resists spinning. www.sciencefocus.com/news/human-s...
This seems as good a time as any to check out the batch cocktail calculator, designed for both pro bartenders and folks who make drinks at home, it takes your single-serving cocktail recipe and turns it into a batch of any size. www.batchcalc.com
November 21, 2024 at 12:48 AM
This seems as good a time as any to check out the batch cocktail calculator, designed for both pro bartenders and folks who make drinks at home, it takes your single-serving cocktail recipe and turns it into a batch of any size. www.batchcalc.com