Eric Carle, the beloved children’s book author and illustrator, has seemingly taken over the world of astronomy with his latest discovery. In a recent news article titled “Brightest and Hungriest Black Hole Ever Detected,” Carle’s name is mentioned as the one responsible for this groundbreaking finding. While some may find it surprising that a children’s book author would be involved in such a scientific endeavor, it seems that Carle has successfully simplified complex ideas for a general audience.
The article highlights that the black hole’s power was confirmed through observations made by the Very Large Telescope in Chile. This telescope, despite its name being somewhat paradoxical, is known for its impressive capabilities and size. Interestingly, there is even an app available that can help users locate this extraordinary black hole, allowing them to witness its brightness and insatiable appetite firsthand.
In a science-related comic strip by xkcd, the importance of accuracy in measurements is emphasized. The strip humorously suggests changing the measure of a light year to align with a 366-day year. While this may seem like a trivial matter, it highlights the significance of precision in scientific calculations.
Moving on to another scientific topic, the article mentions Elon Musk’s potential foray into brain implants. While some may be intrigued by the idea of having Musk tinker with their brains, the author expresses caution. Drawing parallels to Musk’s self-driving cars and prosthetic limbs controlled by the brain, the author suggests that it may be wise to approach this new development with skepticism.
The article then takes a detour into an interview the author conducted with an expert on plate tectonics and tsunamis after the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. While much of the information shared during the interview didn’t make it into the final story due to its intended audience of children, one intriguing detail stood out. The expert mentioned that concrete houses belonging to the wealthy often crumble during earthquakes, while crude wooden homes of the poor tend to withstand the tremors. This observation leads to a whimsical cartoon by Bill Whitehead, illustrating the irony of the rich suffering more damage than the poor during natural disasters.
The author then reflects on past work experiences, mentioning a dreaded annual lunch with editors that felt like being “flayed alive.” However, the author’s subsequent job offered a more lighthearted performance review process involving a questionnaire that allowed for humorous responses.
The article concludes with a critique of The New Yorker’s recent thematic approach to its selection of cartoons. While the intention may have been to create a cohesive collection, it ultimately resulted in a lack of variety and repetition of gags. However, this thematic approach did provide insight into the magazine’s timeline for publishing cartoons, as it revealed the posthumous inclusion of cartoons by Gahan Wilson and George Booth.
In a final anecdote, the author reminisces about spiced apple rings commonly found as garnishes in restaurants during their childhood. The purpose of these rings remains a mystery, but the author humorously suggests that they may have been a tool for God to test our resistance to temptation.
In conclusion, this eclectic article takes readers on a journey through various scientific and humorous topics. From Eric Carle’s unexpected foray into astronomy to Elon Musk’s brain implants, the author weaves together an engaging narrative that combines facts, personal anecdotes, and clever observations.