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Cost of Glory
88 - Mysteries of the Scrolls — with Nat Friedman
May 30, 2024
Nat Friedman, former CEO of GitHub, discusses the Vesuvius Challenge to unlock the Herculaneum Papyri using a particle accelerator. Topics include prize incentives for contests, childhood experiences in open-source communities, and the possible resurgence of Epicureanism.
57:14
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Quick takeaways
- Innovative scanning techniques, like using a particle accelerator, are crucial for uncovering hidden words in the Herculaneum scrolls.
- Detailed segmentation of the spirals of papyrus by a dedicated team enabled the generation of 3D images to explore unread text within the scrolls.
Deep dives
Decoding the Herculaneum Scrolls
The villa in Herculaneum, owned by Julius Caesar's father-in-law, held a library of Greek scrolls preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Philodemus, a prominent philosopher and resident, curated this library, providing a unique glimpse into ancient philosophy. The scrolls, primarily on Epicurean philosophy, pose a challenge due to the complex techniques needed for deciphering. Breakthroughs in scanning technology, such as using a particle accelerator, and innovative approaches have led to uncovering words hidden in the scrolls.
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