Monday, November 20, 2023

The Unique Flume Bridge That Saved Sumerian Civilization


  • Ancient Sumerians invented a water channel 4,000 years ago to cope with drought and save their civilization from collapse.
  • Archaeologists from the British Museum discovered the structure in the ruined city of Girsu in Iraq and identified it as a flume bridge that accelerated water flow and propelled it to distant locations.
  • The flume bridge used the Venturi effect, a phenomenon that was not theorized until the 18th century, and had features that increased its efficiency, such as inclined walls and a sharp drop.
  • The flume bridge is unique in history and shows the Sumerians’ advanced knowledge of hydraulics and engineering. It was built as a last attempt to prevent the canals from drying up and the city from being abandoned.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/11/17/ancient-sumerians-invented-water-flumes-british-museum-dig/

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

European Innovation Scoreboard

 


https://ec.europa.eu/research-and-innovation/en/statistics/performance-indicators/european-innovation-scoreboard/eis

The Myth of the Middle Class Squeeze: Employment and Income by Class in Six Western Countries, 1980-2020

 https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/publications/myth-middle-class-squeeze-employment-and-income-class-six-western-countries-1980-2020_en

Trust in science is becoming more polarized, survey finds

 

https://news.uchicago.edu/story/trust-science-becoming-more-polarized-survey-finds














Crazy pricing - Amazon

 So, I found this book I wanted to buy for my Kindle.


But, at a closer look, I the pricing was so crazy that I changed my mind.


Not only because I think that 18$ is a lot for an eBook of this kind... but also... I mean, come on... the hardcover version only costs 1$ more. That is a clear indication that 18$ for Kindle-version is a rip-off.


Even crazier... the paperback version is more expensive than the hardcover.