Good morning!

Yesterday we asked you if you thought college athletes should be able to be paid. The results were an unexpected 50/50 split. It seems the topic remains a hot debate!

For today’s Funny Friday theme we’re featuring some quirky historic chronicles that I’m sure you’ll find surprising. Be sure to check those out!

Innovation

Living 200 Meters Under the Sea

Are you ready to live under the ocean?

DEEP Research Labs, an international research and development organization, is driven by the goal to "make humans aquatic." They believe that becoming part of the oceanic world is crucial for understanding and preserving Earth's most diverse biosphere. Their website explains, "We create tools and practices for scientists, academics, and others who seek to do good through their interaction with our oceans."

DEEP seeks to accomplish this amazing feat using their Sentinel System, a high-tech subsea habitat likened to an underwater International Space Station. It will allow researchers to live and work on the ocean floor, at depths up to 200 meters (656 feet), for up to 28 days at a time. The system is designed for a 20-year service life, and its modular design allows it to be reconfigured and relocated as needed.

Rick Goddard, DEEP's product director, told Oceanographic Magazine, “We’re doing something new here at a scale never previously imagined outside of science fiction. I fully expect the equipment and technology we’re developing to be pivotal in enabling some game-changing discoveries and radically change the way we access and think about the ocean.”

I am not sure if I am quite ready to live 200 meters under the ocean, but still a fascinating endeavor.

Environment

Solar Panels on Train Tracks

In Switzerland, an innovative approach is being taken to harness solar energy by installing solar panels along railway tracks.

Pioneering the project is Swiss start-up Sun-Ways, and they are set to start near Buttes train station in the western part of the country, pending approval from the Federal Office of Transport.

What sets Sun-Ways apart is its patented, removable solar system, developed in collaboration with EPFL, the Swiss federal technology institute in Lausanne. Being removable is a significant part of this innovation, as essential railway maintenance would require the removal of the panels.

The installation process for these solar panels is similarly unique. Sun-Ways has engineered a mechanical system for this purpose. A train, designed by the Swiss track maintenance company Scheuchzer, will be equipped to lay down photovoltaic panels while moving along the rails. "It’s just like an unrolling carpet," describes Sun-Ways. This train uses a piston mechanism to smoothly deploy one-meter-wide panels, which are pre-assembled in a Swiss factory.

The potential of this project is considerable. If expanded across Switzerland’s entire 5,317-kilometer-long railway network, these photovoltaic cells could cover an area equivalent to about 760 football fields.

Culture

Pantone's Choice for 2024 - 'Peach Fuzz’

Color and design giant Pantone has designated 'Peach Fuzz' as the color of 2024, describing it as a light and comforting tone. The selection process takes into account the enduring popularity of peach tones in various fashion contexts.

In Pantone's 25th year of selecting Colors of the Year, their choice acknowledges the collective wish for peace and tranquility despite challenges. Unlike last year’s selection of Viva Magenta that meant endurance and optimism— Peach Fuzz signals a shift from welcoming the unknown to seeking comfort in the upcoming year.

Some celebrities have certainly taken a liking to it, for better or worse!

World News

700+ Fallen Heroes' Families Find Magic at Disney World

The Gary Sinise Foundation recently hosted over 1,800 children and spouses of fallen military heroes at Disney World. The annual five-day "Snowball Express" event aims to support grieving families during the challenging holiday season.

During the retreat, a remembrance garden was created with American flags representing the fallen heroes. Families participated in a "Walk of Gratitude" at Magic Kingdom Park, where they received a hero's welcome from cast members. The families wrote personal messages to their lost heroes, and children rang bells to send those messages.

The event also featured a concert by Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band at EPCOT. The impact on the families was profound, fostering a sense of community and hope.
Gary Sinise expressed gratitude for being able to honor these families, and their loved ones— emphasizing the importance of not forgetting their heroes.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.

Mind Stretchers

🌌 

You’ll find me in Mercury, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus. But never Neptune, or Venus. What am I?

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:
Time ⏰ 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected]