By 450 BCE, some were trying to convince humanity of the true nature of the solar system. They understood and promoted the idea that the moon was not a deity but a physical body. Anaxagoras was one of the earliest known proponents of this view. He deduced that the moon is made of solid rock like the Earth and reflects the light of the Sun. He also accurately described the lunar phases and eclipses.
Wisdom Builder
Three Tidbit Stories
Topic:
Viruses
Timeless ideas at the intersections of science, philosophy, critical thinking, and history.
MODE:
Viruses.
3 random tidbit stories in about 3 minutes.
Idea 1.
A Viruses Story.
500 BCE
circa 450 BCE
I wrote that Viruses Story,
and posted it to TST 2 years ago.
Idea 2.
A Viruses Story.
2028 (+/- 1 year)
In Progress
By 2027–2028, closed-loop life support systems will be deployed for real-world application aboard the International Space Station or its successor platforms. These systems are designed to recycle and regenerate life-supporting resources like air and water, reducing the need for resupply missions and improving the sustainability of long-duration space missions.
As of 2025–2026, the prediction is already underway. The ISS has demonstrated major progress in regenerative life support, especially with water recovery reaching about 98%, a key benchmark for future Moon and Mars missions. Oxygen generation and carbon dioxide recycling systems are also active areas of operational testing. However, a fully integrated closed-loop system — including air, water, waste, and eventually food — is still not complete.
Analysis: This prediction is best classified as In Progress rather than fulfilled or missed. The ISS has already proven major parts of closed-loop life support, especially water recovery and partial air regeneration. But the full vision — a highly autonomous habitat that can recycle most essential resources with minimal Earth resupply — still lies ahead.
The next few years are likely to clarify whether these systems become routine operational infrastructure or remain a collection of advanced demonstrations. Either way, the direction is clear: the ISS is no longer just a laboratory in orbit. It is becoming a rehearsal stage for humanity’s first truly self-sustaining habitats beyond Earth.
.
I wrote that Viruses Story,
and posted it to TST 3 years ago.
Idea 3.
A Viruses Story.
400 Million BCE
The Dawn of Lungs: In the oxygen-poor waters of the Devonian period, roughly 400 million years ago, or a bit earlier. It was a significant evolutionary leap. A group known as Sarcopterygii were presentd with a formidable challenge in ancient waters that were shallow and variable. It was here that the first lungs emerged. Evolving from structures akin to modern fish’s swim bladders, these early lungs enabled them to extract oxygen directly from the air. This innovation marked a pivotal moment , setting the stage for land vertebrates.
The Legacy of the Lungfish: Descended from them, the lungfish epitomize the resilience and adaptability of life. Presently represented by six species across Africa, South America, and Australia, lungfish possess both gills and well-developed lungs, enabling them to survive in environments that would be inhospitable to other fish. During dry seasons, some lungfish can aestivate in mud, breathing air through their lungs until water returns.
I wrote that Viruses Story,
and posted it to TST 3 years ago.