Latest news with #LeonardodaVinci
CNBC
a day ago
- CNBC
Neuroscientist: The No. 1 trait of highly intelligent people, including Bill Gates and Leonardo da Vinci—it's not about IQ
We're constantly told to make the most of our time, to work harder, to stop procrastinating. But what if that advice was all wrong, and letting the brain rest and the mind wander could improve our lives? Guided by my research as a neuroscientist and driven by my family's toxic relationship with work, I started to explore the neuroscience of alone time and rest — and what I discovered was extraordinary. Cognitively speaking, solitude can boost creativity by offering the necessary space for ideas to flourish. Whether it's writing, playing the piano, painting, gardening, praying, or meditating, being alone is often what the brain needs to perform these activities well. In these moments of isolation, the default network is busy forging new synaptic connections, strengthening our skills and ability to absorb new information, and nurturing our creativity more effectively. Many of the world's most successful and intelligent people preferred to be alone. It's a ritual observed by Bill Gates, for example. Twice a year in the early days of Microsoft, the billionaire philanthropist would retreat to a cabin for a week with nothing but a stack of books for company. He called it "Think Week" — a period for reflection, learning, and uninterrupted thoughts. No outside visitors were allowed, including family and employees. During one week, according to The Wall Street Journal, the work he did led to the launch of Internet Explorer in 1995. Solitude is also useful for those moments when you feel stuck. Leonardo da Vinci was a contemplative genius, reportedly staring at The Last Supper for hours before adding a single brushstroke and walking away. There's no definitive guide on the perfect amount of solitude. But, as a general rule, the more time you can spend alone, especially when you really feel like being alone, the better it will be for your brain. Planning a solo trip or retreat can seem daunting at first, with concerns about loneliness or boredom creeping in. But the act of stepping away from your daily routine and immersing yourself in a new environment can be incredibly liberating. It forces you out of your comfort zone, stimulates your senses in unexpected ways, and provides the perfect backdrop for introspection and creativity. Begin with as little as 10 minutes of solitude per day. Find a quiet spot where you can be undisturbed, and use this time to simply sit and breathe. This small step can help ease the brain into a state of relaxation and begin the process of activating the default network. Ensure that when you do socialize, it's meaningful, good-quality socializing. Many of us spend time with people we shouldn't — bad friends, frenemies, a toxic family member — but we do it because we feel obliged to. This raises levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the brain, which damages our social circuitry and harms the good-quality relationships we should be enjoying. Use part of your solitude time to reflect on your experiences and feelings. This could involve meditating on your thoughts or even writing them down. The act of reflection helps in processing emotions and thoughts, allowing for a deeper understanding of yourself. Do things that are made to be done alone and that encourage mindfulness, such as walking, journaling, or practicing yoga. These activities not only provide the benefits of solitude but also help in grounding you in the present moment, further relaxing the brain.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
What do Gulf royals really own? A $450M Da Vinci, gold jets, super yachts, islands and more
A glimpse into the opulent world of Gulf royals, where gold jets and priceless art are just the beginning / Image Composite : Wikipedia TL;DR Gulf royals own record-breaking treasures like Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi and $500 million yachts. Their collections span priceless art, private islands, million-dollar falcons, and gold-plated jets. These possessions aren't just about showing off wealth, they carry deep meaning tied to status, heritage, and power. When you think about wealth in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, it's on a scale that's hard to imagine. The region's oil wealth laid the groundwork decades ago. But since then, royal families have grown their fortunes far beyond oil, through global investments, real estate, art, and unique collectibles. But it's not just about having expensive things. Many of these possessions symbolize something bigger, tradition, influence, pride, and power. Whether it's a half-billion-dollar painting or a private jet with gold fixtures, these items blend culture with personal luxury in ways few can match. Here's a look at some of the most impressive, surprising, and symbolic possessions owned by GCC royals. 1. The $450 Million Painting That Stays Hidden In 2017, Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci sold for $450.3 million, setting a world record for a painting. While the buyer wasn't officially confirmed, multiple sources including The New York Times and The Guardian point to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). What makes this story even more fascinating? The painting hasn't been shown publicly since. It's rumored to be kept on MBS's giant superyacht Serene, somewhere out at sea. 2. The $500 Million Superyacht With a Submarine Speaking of Serene, this 439-foot yacht is more than a luxury vessel. It features two helipads (one converts into a pool), an indoor seawater swimming pool, a snow room (yes, real snow!), and even a mini-submarine. Originally built by Italy's Fincantieri and once owned by a Russian billionaire, the yacht was bought by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) in 2015. It perfectly combines comfort, security, and style. 3. Private Jets Fit for a King Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai's ruler, is well-known for his love of aviation. His private jets are legendary, fitted with gold-plated sinks, marble floors, and lounges that feel more like five-star hotel suites than aircraft. The Qatari royal family also has a dedicated fleet, Qatar Amiri Flight, with custom Boeing 747s and Airbus A340s tailored to their taste and comfort. 4. Watches Worth More Than Most Homes In 2019, a unique Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime sold for over $31 million. While the buyer stayed anonymous, insiders say it likely belongs to a royal from Qatar or the UAE. These families also collect rare models from Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille, and custom Rolexes that most of us will never see in stores. 5. Cars Like You've Never Seen Before Sheikh Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan from Abu Dhabi, nicknamed the 'Rainbow Sheikh,' owns a collection of more than 700 cars. Many are on display at his private Emirates National Auto Museum. One of his most famous vehicles is a massive, drivable Dodge Power Wagon, 64 times bigger than the original. Meanwhile, Saudi royals are known to cruise in gold-wrapped Lamborghinis, Bugattis, and Ferraris, especially during summer trips to London, Paris, and Monaco. 6. Private Islands Scattered Around the Globe Owning palaces is expected. But some GCC royals go a step further and own entire islands. Qatar's Al Thani family reportedly holds islands in the Maldives, Seychelles, and Greece, including the well-known Oxia island. Dubai's royal family has exclusive villas on Palm Jumeirah and hidden homes on the World Islands, some so secret they don't even appear on public maps. 7. Falcons That Fly First Class Falconry isn't just a sport in the Gulf, it's a powerful cultural tradition and status symbol. Falcons owned by royals can be worth over $1 million each. These birds travel with their own passports and health certificates, often flying business class. Viral photos show falcons comfortably settled on Qatar Airways or Etihad flights, treated like true VIPs. 8. Racing Stables That Compete Worldwide Dubai's Godolphin stable, owned by Sheikh Mohammed, is one of the most successful horse racing teams in the world. It boasts hundreds of thoroughbreds and competes in top international events like the Dubai World Cup and Royal Ascot. For Gulf royals, horse racing connects modern sport with centuries-old desert traditions. 9. Jewelry and Thrones Hidden From the Public Eye GCC royals are major clients of top jewelers from Paris, London, and Geneva. Many jewelry pieces are custom-made and never publicly shown. Reports mention thrones decorated with gold, ivory, and rare gems, crafted for private palace rooms. One Qatari princess is said to own a golden throne inspired by the Queen of Sheba, created by a renowned French design house. 10. Why These Possessions Matter Beyond Wealth This isn't just about showing off. These assets have deep meanings, about identity, history, and leadership. A prized falcon, a grand painting, or a private island can symbolize centuries of culture and power. Many royal families use their wealth to support museums and cultural projects like the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Qatar Museums, building a legacy that goes beyond money. FAQs 1. Who owns the world's most expensive painting, Salvator Mundi? Though the buyer hasn't been officially named, most reports link it to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It's thought to be kept on his superyacht Serene. 2. Do Gulf royals really have gold-plated private jets? Yes. UAE's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Qatar's royal family have private jets featuring gold sinks, marble bathrooms, and lavish lounges. 3. Why do Gulf royals invest so much in falcons and exotic cars? Falconry and luxury cars represent heritage, prestige, and personal passion. They blend cultural tradition with status symbols.
Irish Examiner
17-07-2025
- Science
- Irish Examiner
Does your cat prefer to sleep on their left side? Scientists have investigated why...
Why do I snore? What possible purpose does it serve? Our ancient hominid ancestors can't have snored; the noise would have drawn predators, such as leopards, to the sleeper. Natural selection would soon have eliminated such a tendency. Cats don't snore but they have other sleeping foibles. Alanna, our pussy, slumbers through much of the day. But she won't curl up just anywhere; she commandeers the highest available location before nodding off. That would have made good survival sense to her wild forebears. An approaching predator is easier to spot from above and is less likely to notice the sleeper. Enemies, apart from eagles, having to attack uphill from below, would be at a tactical disadvantage. But Alanna has another quirk; she always sleeps lying on her left side. I used to think that such traits were peculiar to her but, according to a paper just published in Current Biology, they aren't. Every domestic cat, it seems, has a preferred sleeping position and each one always chooses to lie on a particular side of the body. Could this 'lateral bias' be down to 'handedness'? About one in ten people is left-handed. It used be thought that ciotógs were more talented and creative than the rest of the common herd. The most famous lefties were Leonardo da Vinci and Vincent van Gogh. Barack Obama and Bill Gates both write with the left hand. However, researchers at Cornell University found no evidence that 'kicking with the left foot' meant that you were more gifted. 'Pawedness', the animal equivalent of handedness, is found in many, perhaps all, vertebrates: Parrots prefer to hold food items in one claw rather than the other. Pregnant cows sleep more often lying on their left side than on the right, whereas non-pregnant ones show no side preference. Amphibians and reptiles have similar biases. Whether fish exhibit pawedness, is uncertain. Nor is the choice of side written in stone; most dogs, for example, are right-pawed, although bitches and pups, according to one study, are more likely to be lefties. Lateral bias in sleeping positions of domestic cats: About two-thirds of cats prefer to sleep on their left side. Pictures of cats from unsplash: left cat courtesy of Noah Dustin von Weissenfluh (@noah_dustin), right cat courtesy of Gleb Kuzmenko (@badfantasy) Researchers, led by Sevim Isparta of Italy's Bari Aldo Moro University, have studied handedness in domestic cats. Examining 408 Youtube videos of sleeping pussies, they found that 65% of them sleep on their left side, while 35% chose the right. There is a division of labour between the two sides of the brain. Each side specialises in particular tasks. The right hemisphere, say the researchers, 'is dominant for threat processing and, in most species, animals react faster when a predator is approaching from the left side'. It analyses spatial information while the right amygdala responds to dangers and threats. If a cat, sleeping on its left side, is awakened by the approach of a predator, the threat would be detected in the cat's left visual field. The left side of the brain controls the right side of the body, so left visual information is processed in the right hemisphere. Sleeping on the left side, therefore, may have evolved as a 'fight or flight' mechanism to help the cat respond more quickly to danger and hunt for prey more efficiently. Left-oriented sleeper Alanna agrees! Read More Demand for ejiao has soared — which is bad news for donkeys
Hypebeast
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hypebeast
Ducati Honors the Italian Grand Prix with 'Genius of the Renaissance'
Last month, the Italian Grand Prix brought together motorcycle fans from across the globe. Landing in the iconic Mugello circuit,Ducatiunveiled its latest project that celebrates Italy's rich cultural heritage and its contribution to the Renaissance era. Exploring the beauty of art, technology and excellence, the project embraces the joint ethos of the Italian Renaissance from the 14th and 16th centuries and Ducati to create a special livery for the Desmosedici GP bikes and a racing suit. The concepts are inspired by two contrasting elements of the same era: Leonardo da Vinci's genius, finding synergy between art and science; and Niccolò Machiavelli, the philosopher representing the 'dark side' of the Renaissance. While the former's famousAncient Captaindrawing becomes the highlight, contributing historian Marcello Simonetta leans on a quote from Machiavelli'sThe Prince: 'Since a prince needs to know how to use the beast, he must choose the fox and the lion; because the lion cannot protect himself from snares, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognize snares, and a lion to frighten wolves. Those who use only force do not understand this.' Through these inspirations, Ducati explores the modern-day knight and their motorized steeds by enlisting ridersFrancesco BagnaiaandMarc Márquezto be the face of the story. Reinterpreting the two historical references through a contemporary lens, designer Drudi incorporates a lion, which was part of the original decoration in the Ancient Captain, and a fox depicted on the special livery. Elsewhere, the riders' racing numbers, 63 and 93, are also branded onto their bikes in a similar style to their armor-like suits that continue the theme. The campaign visuals take the two riders to Florence, also known as 'the cradle of the Renaissance,' championing the knighthood concept and the city's reverence. From its grand Stibbert museum to the landmarks Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio — it captures the spirit of design excellence and artistic beauty. Check out the campaign above. For more information, visit the Ducatiwebsite.
DW
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- DW
A brief history of queerness – DW – 07/14/2025
Was the Mona Lisa based on Leonardo da Vinci's male lover? Queer identities aren't just a modern phenomenon. Here's a look at LGBTQ+ history through time. In 1476, a young Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was investigated by the Florentine moral authorities. Someone had anonymously accused him of fornicating with a 17-year-old sex worker. But the charges were dropped because of a lack of evidence. Literary historian Dino Heicker, author of the 2025 German-language book "World History of Queerness", says there are contemporary sources proving that Leonardo loved men. He was particularly taken with an apprentice 28 years younger than him named Gian Giacomo Caprotti, also known as as "Salaj" (or "little devil"). And they lived together for many years. A few years ago, Italian art historians thought they had found proof that the world-famous Mona Lisa was not Lisa del Giocondo, the wife of a Florentine merchant — but Caprotti instead. He modeled for da Vinci several times and researchers say that the resemblance is unmistakable. Additionally, the letters L and S (for Leonardo and Salaj) can even be seen in the eyes of the Mona Lisa, as well as the endearing words, "mon salaj" (or "My Salaj"), which may also be a rough anagram of "Mona Lisa." But the Louvre Museum, where the world-famous painting hangs, isn't convinced of the theory. Is it true? Da Vinci and his companion took this secret to their graves. In 1550, Leonardo's first biographer Giorgio Vasari wrote that the painter took "peculiar pleasure" in the beautiful boy — where the word "peculiar" functioned as a euphemism for da Vinci's queerness. "When a majority defines what is normal and abnormal and declares a binary gender model to be the norm, this creates a difficult environment for minorities who feel differently," says Dino Heicker. In his book, he states the draconian punishments were sometimes inflicted upon queer, non-binary or transgender people who indulged in what was referred to at the time as "unnatural" lifestyles. They were put in chains, stoned, castrated or ended up burned at the stake. Those meting the punishment used the Bible to legitimize their persecution of queer people, especially the story of Sodom and Gomorrah — the cities destroyed by God because of what the book classifies as "sinful" behavior. The term "sodomy" has also been used as a synonym for homosexuality. This story "provided the blueprint for centuries of stigmatization toward other kinds of people." In 1512, the Spanish conquistador Vasco Núñez de Balboa ordered his dogs to maul Indigenous people in America, accusing them of having committed "the horrible sin of sodomy." On the other hand, there were also societies in which many forms of queerness were generally accepted. For example, during antiquity, it was common for men to have a male lover in addition to their wives. The Roman emperor Hadrian was so heartbroken by the death of his beloved Antinous that he had him posthumously declared as a god, and erected numerous statues and places of worship to honor the beautiful youth. The Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC) once said that lawmakers on the island of Crete came up with something very special to celebrate new births: pederasty, or "boy love," when an older man took a young man into his home to train him sexually. "Sexual favors were expected from the younger man, but this was not viewed disparagingly by society," explains Dino Heicker. At the same time, love between women was also commonplace. On the island of Lesbos, the poet Sappho paid homage to the beauty of the female form in her verses. And models for a variety of different kinds of love were found in the world of the gods — especially Zeus, the father of the gods, and the epitome of queerness. This term did not exist at the time, but he transformed himself into women, animals, and even a cloud in order to have sex with the object of his desire. In ancient times, there was nothing wrong with men having sex with other men or boys, "as long as they played the active role," explains Dino Heicker. "The penetrated man, i.e. the inferior man, was considered effeminate and was considered socially inferior." In the Roman Empire, people liked to accuse their political opponents of being sexually passive, because "it was a way of tarnishing their honor." The spread of Christianity brought an end to the leniency towards same-sex love. The bishop and Benedictine monk, Petrus Damiani (1006-1072) was one of the most influential clergymen of the 11th century. He railed against fornication, which he saw spreading even in monasteries: "The befouling cancer of sodomy," he wrote, "is, in fact, spreading so through the clergy or rather, like a savage beast, is raging with such shameless abandon through the flock of Christ." Sodomy, he was convinced, was the result of diabolical whispers. Among the samurai warriors in Japan and at the Chinese imperial court, there was a more relaxed attitude towards queerness; same-sex love was common among men. In 1549, the Jesuit priest Francisco de Xavier noted: "The Buddhist priests constantly commit crimes against nature and do not even deny it. They openly admit it." In later centuries and modern times, there were various LGBTQ+ figures — including among royalty. Heicker's book lists among others the Russian composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893), Irish writer Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), African-American playwright James Baldwin (1924-1987) and also Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby, the women who retreated to a remote valley in Wales around 1780 and who were eyed suspiciously as the "Ladies of Llangollen." They were all just trying to find happiness. The English landowner Anne Lister (1791-1840) left behind a set of diaries that was added to the UNESCO Memory of the World Register in 2011. "In these 26 volumes, she writes in detail about lesbian sex and her relationship with women," explains Heicker. Lister had developed a secret code so that no uninitiated person could read her confessions, which were not deciphered until 1930. In her village, she was often referred to as "Gentleman Jack" but was largely left undisturbed. Lister's writing had a significant influence on the direction of British gender studies and women's history. From the Mahus on Tahiti to the Muxes of the Zapotec people in Mexico, the Hijras in India and the North American Lhamanas of the Zuñi: for thousands of years, across cultures, people have felt they belonged to the third gender, identifying neither as men nor as women. "There was much greater diversity than the narrow, binary gender model would have us think today," says Heicker. "The Zuñi, for example, do not assume that gender is innate, rather they see it as a social construct." In Germany today, the third gender is referred to as "diverse." "Queer people, especially in Germany, have had to fight for freedoms previous generations could only dream of," says Heicker. "In 1994, Paragraph 175() was finally removed from the penal code. Same-sex marriage has been legalized, and sexual discrimination is now an offence. On the other hand, and here comes the big but: these achievements must continuously also be protected, especially in the face of attempts to turn back the clock."
