Hurricane Science, Congressional Redistricting, and the Best Sushi Restaurants

What is a hurricane?

Among the most devastating weather phenomena on the planet, hurricanes are examples of tropical cyclones—rotating, low-pressure storm systems with winds exceeding 74 mph (119 kph). They form between the Caribbean Sea and West Africa, as well as the warm waters west of Mexico and Central America.

All tropical cyclones consist of a central eye with no extreme weather, a violent eyewall of intense winds funneling warm, moist air upward, and spiraling rainbands composed of clouds and thunderstorms (see breakdown). The water in the air releases energy when it condenses, which is used to accelerate wind speeds and provide a continuous supply of storm clouds until landfall. Able to grow to over 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) in diameter, tropical cyclones can unleash multiple feet of rain and storm surges. In a single day, they can release 200 times the amount of electrical energy generated on Earth in the same span.

Hurricanes are categorized by maximum sustained winds on the Saffir-Simpson scale and have caused over $1.5T in damage from 1980 to 2024.

... Read what else we learned about hurricanes here.

Also, check out ... 

> The daring method researchers use to track and monitor hurricanes. (Watch)

> A list of the worst hurricanes in US history through 2024. (View)

> How the Earth's curve and rotation cause hurricanes to spin. (Watch)

> Is the way hurricanes are categorized outdated? (Read)

In partnership with Kalshi

The S&P 500 for American Politics

Politics has never been harder to read. Polls give you a snapshot. Pundits give you a spin. Neither tells you where things are actually heading.

Kalshi just launched the American Power Index (KPOW), one number, updated in real time, that tracks the balance of political power in America. It combines who holds power today with what markets predict about who holds it next, blending power into one number, backed by the wisdom of the crowd.

The index moves when the world moves: a court ruling, a primary result, a geopolitical shock. That movement is the signal. Now you can measure what you used to just argue about. Start tracking on Kalshi and get $10 when you make a new account.

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Redistricting, explained

Congressional redistricting is the process by which states redraw electoral district boundaries that determine representation in the US House of Representatives. The Constitution, federal law, and court rulings require districts to have roughly equal populations, avoid discrimination against racial or language minorities, and, in most states, be geographically contiguous. For most of American history, redistricting has followed a predictable cycle, occurring every 10 years after the census.

Gerrymandering is the deliberate manipulation of district boundaries to advantage one political party. Common tactics by both major American political parties include packing opposition voters into a small number of districts and cracking them across many districts to dilute their influence. Enabled by detailed voter data and advanced mapping software, modern gerrymandering can extend down to individual streets or blocks. Most scholars agree that it weakens democratic accountability by reducing competition and insulating incumbents.

The practice dates back to the beginning of the American republic but was constrained during the Civil Rights era, particularly after the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Court decisions and technological advances have since reduced many of those constraints. 

... Read our full explainer on congressional redistricting here.

Also, check out ... 

> Track the unusual push for mid-decade redistricting across the US. (Explore)

> See the most oddly gerrymandered districts in the US. (View)

> Hear about the Supreme Court redistricting case so divisive that it caused a justice's breakdown. (Listen)

> Test your gerrymandering skills with this interactive game. (Play)

What we learned about vacationing

Vacationing is traveling away from one’s home for recreation, tourism, experience, reflection, or other reasons unrelated to work. Historians trace the vacation back to ancient Greece and ancient Rome, where citizens left the major cities to attend athletic competitions and lounge in coastal towns. The modern concept developed further with the “Grand Tour” of Europe, a rite of passage for young English aristocrats, and Thomas Cook’s international railroad tours.

In America, vacationing took hold in the late 1800s as developers and religious groups began constructing tourist destinations along the coast and in the mountains. In the 20th century, labor laws guaranteeing time off and the lowering price of automobiles led to the modern American road trip, with families hitting the highways.

The expansion of commercial airlines popularized international vacations, though rising costs have prevented many Americans from taking advantage of the many available options.

... Read our full page on vacationing here.

Also, check out ... 

> The 50 weirdest roadside attractions (Explore)

> How pop culture and shows like "The White Lotus" impact tourism. (Read)

> On average, Europeans enjoy much more vacation time than Americans. (Read)
> Why some tourist hot spots are shunning tourists. (Watch)

In partnership with Kalshi

One Number for the Political Moment

Approval ratings and generic ballot polls only capture a sliver of the picture. The Kalshi American Power Index (KPOW) is a single, market-based reading of political power in America, updated continuously as events unfold.

Scaled from max Democratic to max Republican control, KPOW tells you not just where power sits today, but where markets think it's going. It's the political metric that actually moves with the news. See where it stands at Kalshi.com/r/1440. New to Kalshi? Claim $10 here.

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Best of the Week

We added 277 resources this week to our knowledge collective—share your favorite link or outlet with us to see it featured here next week!

The gladiator diet was primarily vegetarian.

What movies often get wrong about dinosaur depictions.

A recent ranking of the best sushi restaurants in the US.

The evolution of Coca-Cola bottle designs.

Understanding why our bodies age.

See a visualization of what depression does to the brain.

How snake biology allows them to eat prey larger than they are.

Traditional banks are getting challenged by Apple Pay.

Understanding how the Balkans produce NBA players

Learn why magnets can deflect water.

Search set lists from more than 10 million live concerts.

Learn about the story behind Prince's rivalry with Michael Jackson.

David Bowie once attempted to adapt George Orwell's "1984" into a musical.

Pretend to be an AI chatbot and answer real prompts.

Read about the origins of the internet and see the first website and web browser.

Historybook: Poet Walt Whitman born (1819); London’s Big Ben ticks for the first time (1859); Clint Eastwood born (1930); Brooke Shields born (1965); Watergate secret source "Deep Throat" is revealed (2005).