This week, we uncovered how a 1981 magazine led to a Gothic art discovery, why floating point numbers baffle even Apple engineers, mosquito-free Iceland, last-mile struggles in product building, and the dark UX tricks shaping our choices.
The best part of learning? It never stops surprising you. This week, we stumbled upon stories that range from how a 1981 magazine led to a Gothic art discovery to why floating point numbers still give even Apple engineers a headache. We also explored mosquito-free Iceland, the last-mile struggle in product building, and the dark UX tricks that shape our choices online. Here’s what we learned this week:
“Why do we fall, sir? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up.”
— Alfred Pennyworth, The Dark Knight Rises
1. A Forgotten Sienese Painter
While flipping through a 1981 issue of Apollo magazine at the International Kolkata Book Fair, Sneha stumbled upon a Gothic painting by Luca di Tommè—an artist she had never heard of.
A key figure in Sienese art, Tommè was known for his masterful use of gold leaf, elongated figures, and deeply expressive religious themes. Even centuries later, his work still conveys an emotional depth that transcends time
2. Apple Hired a Garbage Collection Expert to Fix Its Calculator
Shreenidhi learned that floating-point numbers make even basic calculators ridiculously difficult to build. For instance:
(10100)+1−(10×100)
Mathematically, the answer should be zero—yet some phone calculators might show one instead.
The reason? Floating point inaccuracies—a problem that plagues programming languages like JavaScript. Apple even hired the creator of garbage collection to improve its calculator app. And yet, floating point errors still exist today.
3. The Startup That Might Put Home Construction in Quick Commerce
Mayank came across BOXABL, a startup that might disrupt the $5 trillion global housing market.
How? By assembling homes in just four hours—a drastic shift from the traditional 7+ months it usually takes. With over 190,000 reservations already, demand is skyrocketing.
And now, they’re planning BOXZILLA, a billion-dollar factory that could be the most advanced home-building facility ever. At this rate, home construction could become as fast as ordering a pizza.
4. Why There Are No Mosquitoes in Iceland
Unlike its neighbors Greenland and Norway, Iceland has zero mosquitoes—not a single one.
Pratyush discovered that the reason lies in Iceland’s wildly unpredictable weather. Mosquitoes need stable conditions to complete their life cycle, but Iceland’s seasons can change in a matter of hours.
As Icelanders say, "If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.” And for once, unpredictable weather is a blessing.
5. We’re Being Nudged More Than We Think
Was that really your decision, or were you nudged into it?
Shreshtha explored Dark UX patterns, which manipulate extreme users—those who engage with platforms the most. Tactics like fake scarcity and infinite engagement loops keep people hooked.
Ironically, the most engaged users are also the first to spot the deception. Ever noticed the “Only 2 Left” warning never changes? That’s because it was never real.
6. How to Spot Fake Medicine Labels—Here’s What to Check
Counterfeit medicines are a huge problem, but Ankita found out how to spot the fakes before they spot you:
- Look for a license number, batch number, and expiration date
- Ensure the manufacturing facility is listed (check the FDA database)
- Watch for holograms or QR codes—these safeguard original formulations
- Contact customer care for a batch report if something feels off
A few seconds of scrutiny could make all the difference.
7. Why the Last Mile is the Hardest (and Most Rewarding)
Mohit came across exponential distributions and realized they explain why getting from good to great is so damn hard.
The difference between 50th and 90th percentile? Manageable. The difference between 99th and 99.9th percentile? Brutal.
This applies everywhere—sports, careers, product development. The last mile requires disproportionate effort but offers outsized rewards. That’s why an Olympic gold medalist can win by milliseconds but take home 10x the rewards of the runner-up. Winner takes all.
Travel Bug: Fascinating Facts for the Wanderlust in You
- Jet lag wasn’t a thing until 1966. Before journalist Horace Sutton coined the term, people just felt exhausted and disoriented after long flights—without a catchy phrase to complain about it.
- Before 1958, airports were a baggage free-for-all. There were no luggage carousels—just a messy pile of suitcases. Thanks to engineer John Michael Lyons, we now have the luggage carousel, forever changing the way we travel.
That’s a wrap on Weekly Learnings this week ✨
We’ll keep learning, keep growing, and perhaps make the coming week even better. Got thoughts, questions, or insights of your own to share? We’d love to hear them—drop us a hello at hello@sparklin.com and join the conversation.
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