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AN OLD FRIEND IS WORTH IT

Wednesday, June 5, 2024

In today’s newsletter, we turn to science for tips on how to rekindle old friendships, debunk hysteria about giant U.S.-invading spiders ... and unmask the unassuming professor behind the dreaded Illuminati. Plus, what is the biggest health threat to women in their 60s? Also, scroll down for a Nat Geo quiz!

Two young boys embracing and looking at the camera while seated beneath a concrete balcony, upon which two elderly men are playing chess.

PHOTOGRAPH BY NEVEN GRUJIC, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Few things feel as good as rekindling an old friendship. Science shows more friends can make you feel happier—and people generally appreciate a long-ago friend reaching out.

So why don’t we do it more often? A recent study noted fears of awkwardness and rejection—but showed a sure-fire way to make the first step. What’s the secret?

READ THE FREE STORY HERE

Readers: Have you rekindled an old friendship lately? How’d you do it? Let us know. (Pictured above, two sets of friends in Jodhpur, India.)

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

A woman silhouetted against a background that fades from light blue to light green

PHOTOGRAPHS BY HANNAH WHITAKER, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

This is the biggest threat to women in their 60s (symptoms illustrated above)

He seemed just a bookish professor. But he also started the secretive Illuminati.

Afraid of the giant spiders invading the eastern U.S.? Turns out they are incredibly shy.

80 years later: The true story of an iconic D-Day photograph

How old are you, really? The answer is written on your face.

From police raids to pop culture: The early history of modern drag

How—and why—do our voices change as we age? Will yours?

How the ‘wickedest city on Earth’ was sunk by an earthquake

Teenage orcas are ramming into boats…because they’re bored?

This invisible killer takes out 3.5 billion U.S. birds a year

The 6 best hiking boots for women

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

An archival image of two Electrobat taxis in New York

PHOTOGRAPH BY NEW-YORK TRIBUNE/ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

New York City’s taxis went all electric … in the 1800s? In 19th-century Manhattan, horses still produced street waste. In fact, the estimated 15,000 horses roaming the city produced an estimated 22 pounds of waste each! As a solution, New York City introduced a motorized taxicab service in 1897, powered by electricity. What happened to them?

CARS FOR THE FUTURE

LAST GLIMPSE

A clay tablet with inscriptions

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY THE TRUSTEES OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM

World’s oldest complaint letter? About 3,770 years ago in the ancient city of Ur, a disgruntled trader made his woes about a transaction gone awry very public. What did the dissatisfied customer want?

A). Money back
B). Closure of the business
C). To “inflict pain”

CLICK FOR THE ANSWER

Related: Americans have hated tipping as long as they have practiced it

Today’s soundtrack: Oh What a World, Rufus Wainwright

We hope this newsletter brightened your Wednesday! It was curated and edited by David Beard, Nancy San Martín, and Nishita Naga. Know someone who might want our newsletter in their inbox? Here’s the signup. See you tomorrow!

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