Havilah Tower

Ten months ago, we launched the Vesuvius Challenge to solve the ancient problem of the Herculaneum Papyri, a library of scrolls that were flash-fried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Today we are overjoyed to announce that our crazy project has succeeded. After 2000 years, we can finally read the scrolls: This image was produced by @Youssef_M_Nader, @LukeFarritor, and @JuliSchillij, who have now won the Vesuvius Challenge Grand Prize of $700,000. Congratulations!! These fifteen columns come from the very end of the first scroll we have been able to read and contain new text from the ancient world that has never been seen before. The author – probably Epicurean philosopher Philodemus – writes here about music, food, and how to enjoy life's pleasures. In the closing section, he throws shade at unnamed ideological adversaries – perhaps the stoics? – who "have nothing to say about pleasure, either in general or in particular." This year, the Vesuvius Challenge continues. The text that we revealed so far represents just 5% of one scroll. In 2024, our goal is to from reading a few passages of text to entire scrolls, and we're announcing a new $100,000 grand prize for the first team that is able to read at least 90% of all four scrolls that we have scanned. The scrolls stored in Naples that remain to be read represent more than 16 megabytes of ancient text. But the villa where the scrolls were found was only partially excavated, and scholars tell us that there may be thousands more scrolls underground. Our hope is that the success of the Vesuvius Challenge catalyzes the excavation of the villa, that the main library is discovered, and that whatever we find there rewrites history and inspires all of us. It's been a great joy to work on this strange and amazing project. Thanks to Brent Seales for laying the foundation for this work over so many years, thanks to the friends and Twitter users whose donations powered our effort, and thanks to the many contestants whose contributions have made the Vesuvius Challenge successful! Read more in our announcement: scrollprize.org/grandprize

Tracy Chapman made a rare appearance at the 2024 #GRAMMYs to sing her 1988 hit “Fast Car” with Luke Combs, the country star who turned a new audience onto Chapman’s song with his cover version and earned a Grammy nomination in the process. Watch: rollingstone.com/music/music…

OpenAI Drama in Five Acts: 1 -On Friday evening, Nov 17, 2023, Sam Altman was abruptly fired as CEO of OpenAI by the board. 2- On Sun afternoon, Sam thought he was returning as CEO; surprisingly, no, the board placed another. 3- Sun midnnight, Sam goes to Microsoft with key exec, Greg, backed by Satya to lead new AI team. 4- On Mon, over 95% of OpenAI employees revolt: they will leave OpenAI if the board is not removed and Sam reinstated. 5- Six days later, on Tue evening, Sam & Greg would be returning to OpenAI as CEO with a mostly new board, similar structure, and Microsoft support. Three Takeaways: -Regardless of advanced tech, humans are fallible. -Friction between non-profit (purpose) and commercial (profit) highlights company misalignment. -Human leadership unified a fragmented organization.

Want clean teeth? Brush twice a day. Want a fit body? Hit the gym 3-4 days a week. Wanna lose weight? Eat a whole food nutrient dense diet & hydrate. To get the things you want you gotta be okay with doing boring things.

The record-shattering heat wave in the U.S. is spreading to major cities across the Midwest and Northeast while millions face the risk of severe storms and possible tornadoes. @Maggie_Vespa reports and @alroker tracks the latest forecast.

Simply the best 🕊️🤍 #BETRemembers #TinaTurner

How to Have a Strong Neck cc: @hubermanlab

Still wondering how they can survive in the wild.. 🎥 Smithsonian National Zoo xitter.cf/buitengebieden/status/…

"The fact that I ended up on television — never ever thought that would happen." How Barbara Walters broke through the glass ceiling — and became the most important woman pioneer in the history of TV news. abcn.ws/3G6IAvR

We’re live! We’re up! We’ve dropped! We’re flying above your head in a million pieces! You can watch #GlassOnion on @netflix right now, as much as you want, any way you want and in any state that suits you. What a world! Hope you all enjoy it ♥️♥️