Scientists have uncovered the fossilised remains of the largest ever known penguin on Earth: a whopping 340-pound behemoth that glided through the oceans of New Zealand more than 50 million years ago! This new species, Kumimanu fordycei, was found alongside eight other specimens and was estimated to be three times the size of the average 20-year-old man! New Zealand’s unique environmental conditions likely played a key role in the emergence and success of giant penguins, though what caused their extinction is still an unresolved question. Read full article here
Culture
The Priest in the Arena
The phrase “man in the arena” has been popularized in recent years, but a lesser known, more dangerous archetype is the “priest in the arena”. This figure is responsible for a process called theocratic capture, where an institution surrenders to a cult demanding unaccountable authority, fueled by claims to privileged knowledge. These cults often target powerful institutions and attempt to monopolize conversations with scaremongering tactics and hostile treatment of allies. It is important to identify and stop theocratic capture before it can gain control. Read full article here
Merv
May 29, 2023
