My Notes (2026-07)
< Home | Notes Archive
:: Follow Me: BlueSky | Twitter | LinkedIn

Some of the things that crossed my radar recently:

My New Apple AirPods Pro 3

Better noise cancellation, with automatic volume adjustment, "Conversational Awareness" features, Heart Rate Monitor.

Why do we say "O'clock" when referring to time?

"O'clock" is a contraction of the phrase "of the clock". When mechanical clocks first became popular in the 14th century, people used the phrase to distinguish time shown on a clock from other methods, such as reading a sun-base ⁠sundial or counting church bells.

Why did people in the past not get so much cancer?

Ancient humans got cancer regularly, but probably less than us - but not for any of the reasons you're imagining. Ancient people wrote about cancer in Egypt as far back as 1600 BCE.

The Greek physician Hippocrates, who lived around 400 BCE, gave cancer its name. He used the word "karkinos", that is the Greek word for crab. He thought the swollen veins around a tumor looked like crab legs reaching outward. The Roman physician Celsus later translated that word into the Latin word "cancer". That is the word we still use today.

Cancer begins when a cell gets a mutation. The DNA inside the cell gets damaged or copied incorrectly. Most of the time, the body catches and fixes these errors. But sometimes a mutated cell escapes that correction system. It starts dividing uncontrollably. It builds up into a mass. It invades surrounding tissue. Mutations happen naturally. They can happen every time a cell divides. They are part of life itself.

The more cells you have and the longer you live, the more chances there are for a mutation to slip through. Every living organism with cells that divide carries this risk. Dinosaurs got cancer. Ancient fish got cancer. Even trees can get cancer.

So did ancient humans actually get cancer less frequently than we do today? The honest answer is probably yes, but not for the reasons people usually think. The biggest reason is lifespan. Most ancient-humans died young. They died from infection, injury, predators, and famine. The average life expectancy for a prehistoric human was roughly 25 to 35 years. Cancer takes time. Most cancers develop after the age of 50.

Source

When Someone Lies

Betrayal is the violation of trust. The realisation of any lie changes what you know about someone. The moment somebody lies to you, or manipulates you, or repeatedly disrespects you, something changes. You don't just remember what they did. You learn what they're capable of. And once you know that, you cannot un-know it.

Forgiveness is a decision. Trust is an observation. One happens because you choose it, and the other only happens after enough consistent experiences convince your nervous system that it's safe again. And even then, the relationship is different. Because before the betrayal, you experienced that person through innocence. You weren't wondering if they were lying. You weren't questioning their loyalty. That version of the relationship is completely gone. Maybe forever.

That's the real cost of betrayal. It's not losing the relationship, but losing the way you'll forever be experienced inside of it.

Obituary

A man was standing at a newspaper stand reading all of the headlines. The newspaper salesman said: what are you looking for? The man said: I'm looking for an obituary. The newspaper salesman noted the obituaries aren't on the front page. The man said: the one I'm looking for will be...

Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces

The Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) is a branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (unmanned robotic platforms). Ukraine is the first country to have a separate branch of its military dedicated to unmanned systems. The USF was formally established on 11 June 2024, in the midst of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Current Commander: Hero of Ukraine Major Robert "Magyar" Brovdi, the renowned founder of the "Magyar's Birds" drone unit.
Source

Definition: "sycophant"

A sycophant is a servile, self-seeking flatterer. This person excessively praises or constantly agrees with powerful or influential individuals—not out of genuine admiration, but to gain a personal advantage, special treatment, or a promotion.

Source

The Dead People

What was my mother's favourite colour? I don't know. What was my father's favourite colour? I have no idea. For my mother, my best guess would be: probably something in the bible. For my father, probably something grumpy.

Do I have a photo of my Grandfather? Yes. Do I have a photograph with my grandfather? Maybe two.

And to that I say (like some wise-ass kid also recently told us): "Ons is nie so grootgemaak nie".

Triggered by: Ask Me About My Dead Son (NYT: Modern Love Podcast)

Conflict As A Strategy

"Get the conflict, then you get the attention, then you get the influence." - Mike Cernovich

Source: Andrew Marantz New Yorker Article

Why do I hiccup so much?

Hiccups are caused by sudden, uncontrolled spasms of the diaphragm, which make the vocal cords close briefly and produce the “hic” sound. While common triggers are known, the exact biological purpose of hiccups remains unclear.

Frequent hiccups are usually from diaphragm irritation (common triggers like eating quickly, carbonated/alcoholic drinks, spicy food, swallowing air, or sudden temperature changes), but repeated or persistent hiccups can also signal nerve irritation, reflux, medication side effects, or (rarely) serious conditions that need medical review.

Source: 01 / 02

First They Came

A famous quote from the powerful poem of protest titled "First They Came," written by German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller. It reflects on the cowardice of German intellectuals and the clergy following the Nazis' rise to power and subsequent purges of various groups.

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."

Source

Quote: "The opposition occupies the benches in front of you, but the enemy sits behind you."

This refers to disloyalty, backstabbing, or ideological drift within your own political party, faction, or coalition. The danger here is that they look like an ally but undermine you from within, making them far more unpredictable and destructive.
It is frequently attributed to the British Prime Minister ⁠Winston Churchill. However, historians have confirmed that this quote never actually appears in his published writings or speeches, making it one of his most famous falsely attributed sayings.

Source

Demon Mode & Reality Distortion Field

Both Elon Musk and Steve Jobs are famous for pushing teams to achieve the impossible. However, while Jobs relied on charismatic persuasion and extreme focus (his ⁠Reality Distortion Field), Musk complements this with an intense, often harsh operational plunge (⁠Demon Mode).

Source: 01 / 02

Social Sub-Generations

Social generations are birth cohorts used in social sciences and marketing to categorise groups sharing similar formative experiences, historical events, and values. Because strict 15- to 20-year spans can group very different ages, several micro-generations (or sub-generations) have emerged to describe those born on those cultural cusps.

Traditionalists & Boomers

The Silent Generation (1925–1945): Grew up during the Great Depression and World War II, known for prioritising duty and career.
Baby Boomers (1946–1964): The post-WWII demographic surge associated with social activism, the space race, and the Cold War.
- Generation Jones (1945/46–1964): A sub-generation bridging late Boomers and early Gen X. Members came of age during stagflation, Watergate, and the arrival of MTV, giving them a distinct experience from early, post-war Boomers.

Gen X & Millennials

Generation X (1965–1980): Known as the "latchkey generation". They witnessed the dawn of personal computing and prioritise high self-reliance and work-life balance.
- Xennials (1977–1983): Often called the "Oregon Trail Generation" or "Star Wars Generation". This micro-generation had an analogue childhood but transitioned to a digital young adulthood.
Millennials / Gen Y (1981–1996): The first generation to come of age during the internet boom and the rise of social media.
- Zillennials (1993–1998): The micro-cohort on the cusp of Millennials and Gen Z. They are older digital natives who vividly remember early social platforms like MySpace or AOL, but were still in school during the digital transition of the 2000s.

Gen Z, Alpha & Beta

Generation Z (1997–2012): True digital natives who have never known a world without the internet or smartphones.
Generation Alpha (2013–2024): The children of Millennials, heavily influenced by streaming media, the COVID-19 pandemic during early childhood, and rapid AI integration.
Generation Beta (Born 2025–2039): The newest cohort, marked by artificial intelligence and digital connectivity being woven natively into all aspects of their daily lives.

The Quiet-Life Tax

The "quiet life tax" is a popular philosophical and lifestyle concept describing the invisible, non-monetary cost of choosing peace, slower routines, and privacy over hustle. It represents the personal sacrifices required to maintain boundaries—such as shelving grand ambitions, losing certain relationships, or dealing with boredom.

Source

The Devils Are Here

"Hell is empty, and all the devils are here" is a famous line from William Shakespeare's play The Tempest. It is metaphorically used to express that true malice and evil exist among everyday people in the world, rather than in a distant underworld.

Source

Hell Is Other People

"Hell is other people" is a famous quote from French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre's 1944 existentialist play No Exit. It suggests that being trapped under the judgmental gaze of others is a psychological hell. Jean-Paul Sartre argued that other people restrict our freedom and identity because we constantly measure ourselves through their opinions rather than our own.

Source: 01 / 02

Body Temperature

In adults, a fever above 39°C requires a doctor's call, while temperatures exceeding 40°C are emergencies. Untreated temperatures above 41°C can lead to organ damage or failure, especially if fever is accompanied by confusion, a stiff neck, or trouble breathing.

Low: 38°C to 39°C
Moderate: 39°C to 40°C
High: 40°C to 41.1°C

Source

Errol, the trillion apples, and the family tree that led to the serpent that is Elon Musk

Errol Musk (the father of Elon Musk) loves to do long, rambling interviews. He loves to brag about how rich he was and how his kids learnt everything from him. If you watch enough of these interviews, you understand where the serpent that is Elon comes from.

“Every man is trying to either live up to his father’s expectations or make up for his father’s mistakes,” - Barack Obama

Good Overview:

2023-11: Walter Isaacson (biographer). The Man Who Followed Elon Musk Everywhere (The Diary Of A CEO)
2026-05: The Man who Made Elon: Errol Musk unfiltered and unapologetic in candid interview (7NEWS Australia)
2024-02: Kimbal Musk: Working with Elon, taking risks on Tesla, and building The Kitchen (Graham Bensinger)
2021-01: Maye Musk - Talks Pain, Marital Abuse, Raising Children & Navigating Life (Mindvalley Talks)

Extra Homework:

Books:

Elon Musk - Walter Isaacson (2023) - The authorised biography.
A Woman Makes a Plan - Maye Musk (2019)

Diminishing Xmas Cards (and I'm not talking about Xmas)

The "Law of Christmas Card Diminishing Returns" refers to the tipping point where the money, time, and emotional work of sending holiday greetings outweigh the joy and connection they provide. While once a holiday must, the tradition is declining due to rising postage costs and the ease of digital connection.

The Norm of Reciprocity: Historically, receiving an unexpected holiday card triggered a strong urge to reciprocate, resulting in cards being sent to mere acquaintances. Today, many people politely break this cycle by prioritising close family and long-time friends, or opting to use digital greetings.
Birthday wishes & presents. Reaching out with reciprocal jokes. Calls, Messages, etc.
Source

Sizing The Universe

Earth orbits the Sun. The Earth and Sun are inside the Solar System. The Solar System is inside the Milky Way galaxy, and the Milky Way is a very tiny part of the (observable) Universe.

Earth > Sun > Solar System > Milky Way > Universe

Now imagine this: The Sun is large enough to fit roughly a million Earths by volume. If we represent the Sun as a single dot on a piece of paper, then the Milky Way galaxy (at that scale) would be as big as the whole Earth. Furthermore, the Milky Way is but one of approximately 2 trillion other galaxies that exist within the Universe.

And, as a friendly reminder of what a trillion actually represents:

1 million sec: ±11days.
1 billion sec: ±32 years.
1 trillion sec: ±32,000 years.

Source: This comparison was made by NASA educator Michelle Thaller.

01 / 02

Afri-MAGA

"Afri-MAGA" is a pejorative and political term used in South African media and discourse to describe a right-wing, conservative movement aligned with the "Make America Great Again" ideology. It frequently refers to local groups like AfriForum that advocate for minority interests and lobby for conservative causes.

The "Afri-MAGA" moniker is used to characterise a shared ideological link between South African conservative organisations and far-right American groups. These networks promote a narrative of white victimhood and "white genocide," while actively lobbying conservative politicians internationally, such as the Donald Trump administration.

Source

Crude Oil vs Brent Crude Oil

CL=F is the ticker for WTI crude oil futures, while BZ=F is the ticker for Brent crude oil futures. They track two different global oil benchmarks, and Brent usually trades at a premium to WTI because it is the more internationally priced benchmark and reflects different supply-and-demand conditions.

CL=F (Crude Oil): Tied mainly to U.S. inland crude pricing.
BZ=F (Brent Crude Oil): Tied to the North Sea benchmark and widely used in global pricing.

Source

Definition: "nothingburger"

A nothingburger is an informal slang term for a highly publicised situation, event, or controversy that ultimately turns out to be entirely insignificant, mundane, or much less important than initially suspected. It can also describe a person who lacks substance or importance.

* The term is formed by combining "nothing" with the suffix "-burger", playing on the imagery of a burger missing its primary component—the meat patty—leaving only the empty bun.

* Source

Richer Trump

Donald Trump has raked in more than $1.4-billion from his family's cryptocurrency ventures in 2025, benefitting massively from his own pro-crypto policies. The BBC reported that Trump also made $4.7-million from Trump-themed Bibles, watches, guitars and various other knick-knacks.

Source: Daily Maverick

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse