TCP005 | ⏰ ~5min read | 🔗 read online
Welcome to The Contemporary Polymath Newsletter, where you broaden your horizons, feed your curiosity, and spark new ideas every Thursday
📧 In This Issue
- 🚀 A Calculated Hero: How Katherine Johnson’s calculations saved Apollo 13
- 🧠 Social Media’s Impact on Identity and Reality
- 📖 Tiny Experiments: Why Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference
- 🔋Can a vegetable generate electricity?
👋🏾 Hey there, friend!
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that the best way to grow is through tiny experiments—testing new ideas, exploring different paths, and figuring things out along the way. That’s why I admire people like Anne-Laure Le Cunff, who talks about the power of small, actionable steps in her book Tiny Experiments, and people like Drew Riley, who remind us that being a polymath isn’t about mastering everything at once but embracing a wide range of interests and following your curiosity wherever it leads.
In a way, this newsletter is a tiny experiment of its own. It’s me taking my private notes, my endless curiosity, and my love for learning out of the shadows and into the world. It’s a public exploration of my thoughts, a way of processing everything I’m discovering and sharing that journey with you.
One of the tools that’s made this possible is Perplexity, which honestly feels like the modern-day Microsoft Encarta I’ve always missed. It helps me dive into different topics and find new connections quickly, so I can gather research, send it to Obsidian, and synthesize everything into something that’s (hopefully) as interesting to read as it was to write.
And let me tell you, writing this week’s explorations was hard—mainly because I kept finding more incredible stories I wanted to share. As an African American, there were so many historical figures I’d never heard of before this, and diving into their contributions was as eye-opening as it was inspiring.
So yes, we’re staying on theme with Science & Innovation this week. 🔜 Next week, it’s all about Technology & Math.
Oh, and if you’ve ever wondered whether vegetables can generate electricity, you’re in for a surprise.
I hope you enjoy this week’s issue!
🌍This Week’s Explorations
Written by Us
Science
🚀 A Calculated Hero: When disaster struck Apollo 13, Katherine Johnson’s extraordinary calculations became the difference between life and death, proving why she was known as the “human computer.”
🫀The Trailblazing Story of Marie Maynard Daly: A pioneering chemist who shattered racial and gender barriers to revolutionize our understanding of heart disease, laying the groundwork for modern nutrition guidelines.
📝 Meet the Trailblazer Who Broke Barriers in Physics: Discover how Edward Bouchet became the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in Physics, overcoming systemic exclusion to inspire generations of young scientists.
🧪 Uncover the Extraordinary Story of Percy Julian: A brilliant chemist who transformed modern medicine by making life-saving treatments affordable and accessible to millions.
Psychology
🧠 Social media’s constant need for validation might be warping our reality, amplifying delusions, and blurring the line between our real and online identities.
🔍 Intriguing Finds
A curated selection of news and discoveries
- 🐘 Scientists Have Bred Woolly Mice on Their Journey to Bring Back the Mammoth
- The “Data Infused” exhibition at UConn’s Fine Arts Complex merges art and technology in unexpected way
- The science behind better conversations reveals how communication techniques can transform dialogue
- Pam Melroy makes the case for space exploration inspired by Star Trek
- Voodoo, Torture, and Pirates uncovers dark and hidden sides of New Orleans’ history
- NASA’s groundbreaking photograph shows the XB-1 jet breaking the sound barrier without a sonic boom
📖 Books We Are Reading
Book recs for this week
Chasing Space by Leland Melvin
From NFL star to NASA astronaut, Leland Melvin’s story is a powerful testament to turning setbacks into rocket fuel for your dreams. His journey of resilience and second chances is a page-turner that proves anything is possible.
Find Where the Wind Goes by Dr. Mae Jemison
Dr. Mae Jemison’s memoir offers a rare glimpse into the mind of the first Black woman in space, blending science, courage, and the relentless pursuit of dreams. Her reflections on breaking barriers will leave you inspired to reach higher.
🆕 Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff
In a world obsessed with big goals, Anne-Laure Le Cunff reveals how small, actionable changes can lead to a more meaningful life. Her practical wisdom makes this book a must-read for anyone tired of the hustle mindset.
👥 Readers Corner
Share what you’re reading, your favorite “Polymath Notebook” find, and I’ll feature the most intriguing responses in next week’s issue!
💭 How Inquisitive
🔙 Answer to last week’s question
Can a vegetable generate electricity?
Yes! Potatoes, tomatoes, and even carrots can act like tiny batteries, producing low-voltage energy to power things like LED lights and simple science experiments. All it takes is a bit of moisture, electrolytes, and two metal electrodes to spark some veggie power, producing ~1.5 to 2 volts!⚡️
⏭️Question for next week
Is there a hidden mathematical pattern in how people make decisions?
Loved this issue or have ideas for future topics? I’d love to hear from you! And of course i’ll give you a shout out for your contribution.😊
🇪🇸 ¡Cuídate! Que tengas un maravilloso día, tarde o noche, dondequiera que estés. ¡Sé amable!
🇺🇸 Take care. Have a wonderful day, evening, or night wherever you are. Be kind!
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Thank you to my recent supporters: Anne, Benjamin, Victoria, and J.
Best,
Naya
