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Man lists 8 not fun, but very important things you need to start doing as an adult.

"Welcome to being an adult. Maybe you weren't told this by your parents, but this is through my trial and error."

adulthood, life hacks, life advice
@johnfluenzer/TikTok

8 things you should be doing as an adult. Spoiler alert—none of them are fun.

Who among us hasn’t come into full adulthood wishing they had known certain things that could have made life so so so much easier in the long run? Choices that, if made, ultimately would have been much better for our well-being…not to mention our wallets.

But then again that is all part of growing older and (hopefully) wiser. However there is something to be said about getting advice from those who’ve been there, rather than learning the hard way every single time.

Thankfully, a man who goes by @johnfluenzer on TikTok has a great list of things young people should start doing once they become adults. Are any of his suggestions fun, cool or trendy? Not at all. But they are most definitely accurate. Just ask any 30+-year-olds who wished they had done at least four of these things.

John started off by saying, “welcome to being an adult. Maybe you weren't told this by your parents, but this is through my trial and error."

Listed below are the eight vital things to maintaining a healthy adulthood, that most of us have no idea about until well into adulthood.

1. Getting an annual doctor visit.

annual checkup

young woman visiting her doctor

Canva

This is the bare minimum amount of visits one should be making, according to John. He recommended more if you “have more medical concerns.”

2. Dental visits. For a yearly cleaning at the very least. 

dentist near me

Woman at the dentist

Canva

"Keep in mind that a $300 cavity can turn into a $1,500 root canal, which can then turn into a $2,000 crown on top of the $1,500 you just paid, so it's better to just pay the $300 or whatever it is for a cavity, and just get it sorted,” he explained.

As someone with this exact experience (ignored a cavity because she didn't want to pay $300, only to pay $1500 years later, even with insurance) I can ruefully confirm.

…as can others, judging by the comments sections to John’s video.

“I didn’t go to the dentist for 8 years and now I need a root canal. Learn from my mistakes people,” one person wrote.

Seriously, no amount of flossing and avoiding sugar can make up for a professional cleaning and checkup, folks.

Last note on this subject—John mentioned that if you couldn’t afford to go to a dentist, to check for nearby dental schools that can often perform necessary procedures at a fraction of the cost.

Though he specifically mentioned dental schools in Canada, that is also an option in America. Things I wish I had known as a 20-year-old…

3. Next up, John suggested that if you are sexually active, to get checked for STDs/STIs.

std check, std clinic

an image of STD tests

Canva

“If you're uncomfortable with your GP, or you don't have a GP, go to a sexual health clinic…. Just go get tested — it's better to know,” he said.

4. Get vaccines. “Be up on your vaccines, not just your flu shot."

vaccine near me

A man having just got a vaccine.

Canva

"We're talking Hep A/Hep B, and also if you're under 25, get your Gardasil 9. It's three shots. It prevents the cancer-causing HPV,” he explained.

And while he mostly discussed the free health care options found in Canada, HPV vaccines are covered by most insurances in the US. Plus there are other potentially free/low cost resources, such as the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program for those under 19.

5. Then get a PEP, aka Post-exposure prophylaxis, if you had a “risky sexual encounter” and are worried about having contracted HIV. 

pep near me

Image of pills

Canva

For this one, time really is of the essence. The sooner a PEP is taken, the more effective it is at preventing HIV, and must be taken within 72 hours of possible exposure to HIV.

Gotta say…list time 3-5 seem particularly important, as many young people are not given thorough sex education.

6. Rent. Everyone’s favorite. 

rent prices, apartment near me

Image of a piggy back with a reminder to pay rent.

Canva

John explains that especially in a housing crisis, “your rent should be the first thing you take care of every month."

"It comes before everything. Now maybe if you have kids and they need to eat, of course, that's important," he added. "But a roof over their head is way more important and you do not want to give landlords any excuse to have you evicted. Pay your rent and pay it on time."

7. Hold onto that cellphone as long as possible. 

cheap cellphone, lowering cellphone bill

Woman holding a cellphone

Canva

“I know we all want the new cell phones.Keep your phone as long as possible, OK?" he said. "I don't care if it's any iPhone 10, iPhone 8, keep it for as long as possible. Especially if you're under no contract—you have so much freedom.”

Instead of getting a new phone, John suggested switching providers every month to get special deals and save “$40–50 bucks a month,” which, as we all know, really adds up.

8. Only have one streaming subscription a month.

netflix, hbo, showtime, hulu

There's not need to have more than one streaming service at a time.

Canva

This one was admittedly “controversial,” John shared, but in his point of view, it’s a no brainer.

“You don't need Netflix, Disney, Hulu, whatever... you don't need them all the same month. January do Netflix, cancel. February do Hulu... All of these different apps, they let you save watchlists, right, like 'My List.' And if you cancel your subscription and you restart it two months later, your list is still there. So just save stuff, only pay for it once a month, and try to save some money,” he suggested.

What a wake up call, right? But other hardened adults couldn’t help but agree with John.

“This is very good advice, can confirm (unfortunately) as a fellow adult lol,” one person wrote.

Others appreciated how he took the time to share this list to help younger people avoid some pretty disheartening setbacks.

“I love people like you so much, just her to help others in life. People like you are so important because you didn’t have to make this video but you did.”

You can’t always trust what you hear on TikTok, but John’s advice is sound. What most life hacks seem to have in common, other than a healthy blend of common sense and 20/20 hindsight, is that it puts some form of security at the forefront—not necessarily instant gratification. Fun is so important, but as anyone with experience will tell you, peace of mind is priceless.

Watch the full video below:

 
 @johnfluenzer #greenscreen Here is my list if things you jeed to start doing once you’re an adult! I know its not fun bit I wish someone had told me when I was younger. #genz #genalpha #adultingishard ♬ original sound - John 
 
 

This article originally appeared on 12.10.23

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Girl stops 80s game show host in his tracks after uncomfortable interactions with other kids

No is a complete sentence.

YouTube Screenshot

Girl stops 80s game show host in his tracks as he tries to kiss her

The 80s seems like a completely different lifetime when it comes to what was considered acceptable behavior. Things people deemed acceptable or were just part of everyday expectations for television back in the 60s through well into the 90s would get stars blacklisted today. But there was one game show in the 80s that had moments so cringy that even for the times may have raised some eyebrows though everyone seemed to go along with it, except one brave little girl.

The Canadian show, Just Like Mom ran from 1980-1985 even with the uncomfortable moments between the game show host and young girls. The girls who were aged 7-12 would appear on the show with their mother answering questions about each other and competing in bake-offs to see which pair knew each other best. Just Like Mom was created by Catherine Swing, the wife of the show's host Fergie Olver who would often stand uncomfortably close to the girls and elicit kisses.

 80s game show; just like mom; Fergie Olver; 80s childhood; family game show; body autonomy Mom hugging crying daughterPhoto credit: Canva

Recently a compilation video of the game show host behaving in a manner people might consider questionable is going viral. In the video the Olver stands near the girls, often putting his hand on their backs, placing his face close to theirs to ask questions. The very first clip shows 11-year-old Lee Ann, Olver hovers over her asking what color her eyes are.

"What color are your eyes?" Olver asks before the child tells him they're blue, to which he responds, "they're not blue, now don't tell me that. Look at me a little closer." Just as the girl leans in slightly, appearing hesitant to do so, Olver quickly kisses the child on the side of her mouth and declares, "they're green."

 80s game show; just like mom; Fergie Olver; 80s childhood; family game show; body autonomy Dad kissing child on cheekPhoto credit: Canva

The audience sounds as if they didn't know how to react to the bizarre moment. Some people loudly gasp, others uncomfortably chuckle, while a few seem to let out a high pitched surprised squeal. The girl also laughs uneasily while the host remains extremely close. Video clip after video clip shows similar interactions where the host tries to either kiss the girls or have them kiss him but one little girl refused. While it appeared that she was nervous to do so in front of a live audience, on television and refusing a directive from an adult, she stood her ground.

This was a moment where parents can see in real time the benefit of teaching body autonomy and the power of teaching children that no is a complete sentence. Olver originally didn't accept the young girl's "no," attempting to coerce her into kissing him when she was clearly uncomfortable and uninterested in the request.

The host perches himself up close to the young girl and says, "you look like a girl who likes to give out hugs and kisses," to which the girl laughs with discomfort before saying, "not really." That didn't stop him, Olver continued, "not really? can I have a hug and a kiss?" This time the girl gives a very direct answer through nerves by shaking her head no while saying "uh-uh." She's clearly uncomfortable as she bites her fingernail trying to assert authority over her body against someone much older.

At this point the child has been clear. She immediately told the host she didn't give out hugs and kisses and when that didn't work she mustered the courage to say no more directly. Olver was still not accepting of the child's boundaries and continued to apply pressure by questioning her decision, "I can't have one?" Again the child shakes her head and says no but he persists, saying "even if I say...whisper in your ear that Alison you're going to win the show? I still can't have a hug and a kiss?" Alison sticks to her answer so Olver changes tactics, telling the child, "Well I guess you can't win the show then if I don't get a hug and a kiss."

 80s game show; just like mom; Fergie Olver; 80s childhood; family game show; body autonomy Mom comforting daughterPhoto credit: Canva

Alison stayed firm in her no but the host's behavior resulted in the child's mother calling him a dirty old man. In the end the host appears to have moved on and told the girl she did a good job answering one of the questions, but to top the praise Olver attempts to sneak a kiss. The little girl didn't let that deter her as she quickly dodged his advance.

It seems apparent that Alison's parents instilled the idea of bodily autonomy in her giving her full permission to say no to adults and anyone else who dares to get in her space without consent. While the experience was probably not one that she would've ever wanted to have, that moment likely gave permission to other young girls watching to tell the host and other like him no. And no is a complete sentence, especially when it comes to someone's body. There's no further explanation needed. No further clarification. The answer is simply no. Well done Alison. Well done.

This article originally appeared in May.

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Golden Years

20 people over the age of 50 share their tips for aging gracefully

"Grace means moving, listening, engaging. And the older you get the more intentional you have to be in finding opportunities to do so."

Image via Canva

People over 50 share their best tips for how they aged gracefully.

Aging is a wild journey, and the battle against growing older is something people choose to handle differently. Many people strive to "age gracefully" by choosing to accept and embrace the passage of time and the changes it brings while continuing to live a full and meaningful life.

On a Reddit thread where people are discussing aging, member oaksgreenbean posed the question: "What are your tips to aging gracefully?"

A number of people over the age of 50 had plenty of sage wisdom to give on accepting aging with grace. Here are twenty of their most helpful responses.

 aging, aging gracefully, graceful aging, aging well, aging advice Age Getting Old GIF by PBS News  Giphy  

"Eat better, keep moving, seek joy & no more negative self-talk. Self care is vital ❤️🔥 keep ur mind active and find a good moisturizer." —New-Advantage2813

"The sit-stand test. I do that one and my own extra little thing. Whenever I take off shoes, whether they are lace up or not, I stand on one foot and take them off (and socks) with my hands by bending my knee and bringing my foot up to where I can reach it. I often do the same when putting them on too. It's a good balance check." —1happylife

  - YouTube  www.youtube.com  

 

"Re moisturizer: pure shea butter. I cannot recommend this enough. Cheap on Amazon. No other expensive creams are needed and they're all a bunch of BS anyway. My one tub of shea butter costs (US)$6.00 and lasts over a year." —analogpursuits

"Was at orthopedist and PT both instilled in me I need to walk on different surfaces and I need to walk. When I don't, my body feels not good." —User Unknown

"Another tip: When you get out of bed sit on the side of the bed with your feet on the ground before standing up and walking. Apparently lots of folks fall getting out of bed because they don't get their feet under them." —TwiceBaked57

"As I often mention here, I partake in no vices....no smoking, recreational drugs, drinking, weed, etc. I brush and floss, so at 67 years old I still have all but my wisdom teeth. I see my doctor regularly and he keeps a check on my blood work. I eat sensibly, get lots of sleep at night, drink lots of water, no sodas, exercise, and I take my vitamin supplements as recommended by my doctor. The least amount of stress possible. That means no toxic people are allowed in my life, and that includes energy vampires and dramatic family members. My husband and I enjoy a peaceful life together. We enjoy our never-ending conversations, eating our meals outside (when we can) so we can enjoy the fresh air and surrounding woods. We're not in debt, we don't watch the news, we only belong to Reddit, as far as social media is concerned, and we love binge-watching our favorite series together. We guard our peaceful and happy lives with our teeth. We built this together, we'll protect it together." —moviesandcats

 protect peace, peace, peaceful life, aging gracefully, age well The Kardashians Peace GIF by HULU  Giphy  

"Eat less, move more, don't dwell on the past, be kind to others and yourself. Pretty simple." —DifferenceNo5715

"Aim to grow old disgracefully, it's more fun 🤣 being the 'oh no, what's she up to now' kind of old person is more realistic for me . I set goals and I stuck to them 🤣." —legoartnana

"Once you reach a certain age, you tend to have more self-knowledge and therefore, more self-acceptance. That allows you to "become more of yourself" (more of your real self) as time progresses. Most in my age group say 'I feel like I'm the most ME that I've ever been!'. There is a lot of freedom in that, and it carries over to what activities you enjoy, etc. If that is not the case, then time for some self reflection, therapy, whatever helps that process along." —10MileHike

"Accept your age. It's a number. It represents the number of years you have been on this earth. That's it. Be proud of your age. You've worked hard to get here. If you're lucky, you'll be redefining your age for people who with preconceived notions. I opted to quit dying my hair, because nobody was being fooled by the unnatural reddish brown tone with the gray roots. Now, some people assume I'm old because I'm gray. Whatever. Watch what I do next." —TooOldForACleverName

 gray hair, going gray, aging gracefully, aging with grace, aging well Helen Mirren GIF by SAG Awards  Giphy  

"Stay mobile, stay engaged mentally and socially. The people who really stand out are those who make an effort to LEARN NEW THINGS, not those who set out everyday to “teach those kids a lesson”. Grace means moving, listening, engaging. And the older you get the more intentional you have to be in finding opportunities to do so." —dewayneestes

"Variety in life. Could be new books or films in a genre you like, or trying a new genre... going out to try new cuisine or cooking something totally new to you. Walking different routes for a change of scenery - there are lots of small choices that help keep life interesting." —UpDownCharmed

"Give no f*cks. Take no sh*t. Do what makes you happy. Spend time with those you love, be they blood or friends." —HalimaDances

"Everyone dies. Not everyone lives. That’s why at 71 I still fly, ride my motorcycle, skydive and have a fabulous girlfriend." —Even-Vegetable-1700

 live your life, living well, happy life, live happy, happy aging Happy Live Your Life GIF by CBS  Giphy  

"Stop worrying about it so much, don't listen to society. Take care of your body (eat well, exercise, don't smoke etc), challenge your mind, feed your spirit, everything else will happen as it will. Teach others what you've learned in life. You are a treasure trove of experience. Realize it's all temporary, including ourselves. Lots of other things, but these to me are the most impactful. There is no beating age, so get it out of your mind." —User Unknown

"Just in terms of personal appearance - makeup and hair dye can be incredibly aging. When I look around at women my age or a little older, the ones with perfectly crafted makeup and hair coloring look much older than the ones letting their grey show and wearing little to no makeup. The women around me who aren't fighting the aging process tooth and nail look a lot more fresh and vibrant." —sqplanetarium

"I think you need to be classy and avoid being sucked into gossip or drama, being toxic and sticking your nose in where it doesn’t belong. Be kind, respectful, and be above those that want to pull you down. Limit your time with those people and give your time to those that further your peace." —Wild929

 no drama, no gossip, avoid drama, aging well, aging gracefully lil wayne drama GIF by Oxygen  Giphy  

"Embrace every decade as a gift. I loved my 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, etc for different reasons and refuse to pine for youth as I age." —yay4chardonnay

"I dress like I did in high school, minus the Levi's big bells since they don't make them anymore, lol." —myatoz

"Embrace aging and the concept of moderation. Accepting our flaws, reconciling with our character defects and being mindful also help us with the irritability of physical and mental aging. Living in a senior park has opened my world to senior aging. Everyone of us is different in how we handle life but by far the ones who seem the best adjusted and "aging gracefully" are the ones who are comfortable in their own skin, are self aware and who try to get along accepting the differences in others. Definitely staying physically active and social keeps us from isolating, becoming bitter and self absorbed. The better adjusted we are throughout life helps how we age out." —CroneDaze

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85-year-old woman in senior home brings down the house with Fleetwood Mac 'Landslide' cover

There wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Cecily Knobler

A woman sings "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac at karaoke.

On a hot Sunday in July, Carole Wade took the mic at a Dallas senior living facility where my mom lives. I happened to be visiting for the karaoke event, and the list of residents who couldn't wait to put their stamps on their favorite tunes was so long, the event had to be extended. ABBA's "Mamma Mia," David Lee Roth's "Just a Gigolo"—you name it, they sang it.

When it was Wade's turn, the microphone was brought to her table. She took it in her hands as though it was an extension of her fingers as the music cued up. Then, as she began to effortlessly sing "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac, the room got still. Frozen. All eyes were on her, and most of those eyes were wet. The lyrics, so beautifully fitting:

"Well, I've been afraid of changin'
'Cause I've built my life around you.
But time makes you bolder,
Even children get older,
I'm getting old too."

A man sitting at our table took notice of how emotional I had become. He leaned over to say, "Never stop feeling the music."

I had the honor of chatting with Wade, who at 85, has been singing nearly her whole life. She got started in the business as a backup singer in Elvis impersonator groups in Dallas and surrounding areas. In and out of bands, playing Deep Ellum clubs and local hotels, she shares, "I've been singing since I was a small child. I've loved music all my life."

As luck would have it, she was at a jam session when she started harmonizing with other musicians. They would soon form her most recent band, Psychedelic Oatmeal. They officially stopped playing gigs when she was in her 70s, but they remain close. (She notes her bandmates were all much younger.)

 bands, carole wade, music, old friends, singer Carole and her band mates.Carole Wade

They covered classic rock tunes from Stevie Nicks, The Eagles, Janis Joplin, and Led Zeppelin. Songs like "Me and Bobby McGee," "Seven Bridges Road," and "Whole Lotta Love." She laughs that most of the men in the band couldn't hit those Zeppelin high notes made famous by Robert Plant, so she took on the challenge—with great success.

They even branded themselves at gigs, making little Ziploc bags of oatmeal and glitter, which they would throw to the audience at shows. That is, until a club owner asked them to stop, as the oatmeal was mixing with spilled drinks, "creating goo."

Rare footage of Psychedelics Oatmeal.

  The band Psychedelic Oatmeal plays in Dallas.  www.youtube.com  

Wade makes clear that music is her therapy. "If you're down on a certain day, it will bring you up." She has lived a full life, with two grown sons who are both excelling in life. But music, and the friends with whom she makes it, brings her that extra piece of joy and purpose.

Michael Hatcher, the Resident Services Director at The Reserve at North Dallas (the senior facility in which this event was held), has seen firsthand how music soothes seniors. It reconnects them to their purest selves, no matter how hazy their memories might become. Hatcher shares, "They remember the music, and the time. It's a vessel for anyone of age. It can be used to bring someone out of the deepest sun-downing and back to life."

A man sings "Just a Gigolo" at The Reserve karaoke day.

@cdk213

Senior living karaoke! Fabulous! #seniorlivingcommunity #justagigalo #dallas

There is much research to support this. Bannerhealth.com quotes music therapy coordinator Tammy Reiver for Banner Hospice in Phoenix: "Music holds the power to increase dopamine levels (happy hormones), decrease symptoms of depression and pain, and improve a person’s quality of life. Pleasing music plays an important role at every age, but for aging adults, the benefits are even greater.”

As for Wade? She jokes that she and a few other musicians at the senior home have plans to start their own band. She certainly has the chops for it—and the fans.

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Woman combats fancy travel envy with her 'gas station affogato' and people feel seen

“Not the travel tip I asked for, but it is the travel tip I needed."

Photo credit: Canva

You'll never look at gas station coffee the same way again.

Get ready to feast your eyes on a budget-friendly treat that “blends a high-brow treat with the realities of an American road trip.”

In a now-viral video, Samantha Brown, host of the PBS show Places to Love, recently debuted what she called a “gas station affogato.”

Rather than a scoop of vanilla ice cream drowning in fresh espresso, Brown opens the lid of her gas station coffee, then dips an ice cream sandwich in it.

“Ya make the affogato in your mouth," quips Brown, just before demonstrating. All while using the air pump machine as a table, no less.

 
 @samanthabrowntravels My gift to the world. A dessert that blends a high brown treat with the realities of an American road trip. And yes I did put that lid back on the coffee. Deal with it. #roadtripsurvival #travel #roadsnacks ♬ Bella Italia (Instrumental) - Jack Johns 
 
 

Brown also argues that this is an incredibly easy way to feel “fancy” and maybe even combat a little travel envy if “you’re seeing everyone in Italy, Positano, the Amalfi Coast,” or [insert the exotic locale you’re longing for here].

This folksy, frugal summer snack has quickly gained a lot of love online from viewers who hailed her "the people's princess” for sharing the tip.

“Road trip across Ohio and Pennsylvania coming up,” one person wrote. “I need to try that!! And dream of the Amalfi Coast.”

“Not the travel tip I asked for, but it is the travel tip I needed,” said another.

Still a third joked that Brown “coulda frothed your milk with the air station there.”

Another person shared, “as someone who’s crushed I couldn’t go to Italy this summer, this is priceless.”

Proving necessity really is the mother of invention, Brown shared with Today that the idea came about a decade ago when a coffee ice cream craving hit while she herself was on a road trip. Well, it wasn’t so much a craving as it was needing something to soothe not only being “tired, hot” and in the presence of her 12-year-old twins who weren’t having the best time in that moment.

“Desperate times call for desperate measures,” Brown recalled, and she quickly decided to put the two simple things together to create something that truly satisfied…all for a couple of bucks. She’s been indulging in gas station affogatos ever since.

If you’re looking to enjoy your own gas station affogato, Brown has a few tips. For starts, do black coffee. “Dark roast, if they have it,” says Brown, then there’s the “key” ingredient—the ice cream sandwich. If you’re currently being tempted to swap it out for a “Klondike bar or a Chipwich,” Brown advises against it. Then again, you do you.

We all might be a little more budget conscious these days, meaning that those once-grand summer travel plans have been whittled down to quaint staycations. But having to be frugal often encourages us to be creative in how we explore—or in this case, consume—the world most immediately around us. In the process, we might find life is fun virtually no matter where you are be it the Amalfi coast, or at a gas station.

Find even more fun travel tips on Brown's TikTok.

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History (Education)

2-minute video shows how epic Roman aqueduct engineering was, even by modern standards

It's incredible that some of these aqueducts are still in use over 2,000 years later.

Jennikann/Wikimedia Commons (left), ChrisO/Wikimedia Commons (right)

Roman aqueducts are found in what is now Greece (left), France (right) and more.

The Roman Empire was famous for many things—its record-breaking longevity, its size, its emperors, its military prowess (for better and for worse) and its influence on Western civilization. But one of Rome's most impressive claims to fame is even greater than many of us realize—the incredible engineering of its aqueducts. 

At some point in school, we all learned that the Romans built aqueducts to move water from place to place, and most of us probably thought, "Cool," before moving on to our algebra homework. But we may not have fully grasped just how cool the aqueduct system was or how mind-blowing the Romans' abilities were for the time period. Heck, modern water transport systems still use the same principles the Romans did, and the fact that some of the Roman aqueducts are still in use over 2,000 years later is a testament to their advanced understanding of materials and craftsmanship on top of their grasp of civil engineering.

 roman aqueducts, roman empire, engineering, technology, innovation Nicopolis Roman Aqueduct in GreeceJennikann/Wikimedia Commons 

A two-minute video from Learning History Simply highlights what made the Roman aqueducts such an engineering masterpiece. It started with finding a water source with a higher elevation than the destination. The Roman army helped plot out routes as engineers determined the slopes necessary for gravity to do the work of moving the water.

While we often think of the aqueducts built above ground, most of them—approximately 80%—actually ran underground through channels lined with hydraulic mortar with occasional vertical drops to relieve pressure.

  - YouTube  youtu.be  

 

Settling tanks were used to remove impurities, basically slowing the water down to a speed at which sediment was able to fall to the bottom of the basin. Aeration—allowing the water to flow through open air and fountains—also served to purify the water flowing to Rome by precipitating minerals, helping it taste better and remove odors. (However, according to Engineering Rome, it's unlikely that they knew of those benefits and just unintentionally reaped them through the open air sections of the aqueducts.)

To build the underground aqueducts, the Romans used a mining technique that involved digging a vertical shaft every 30 meters, which enabled them to work faster and check alignment as they went. When they hit valleys, they would build bridges with the aqueducts on top of it, like the famous Pont du Gard. Arches higher than 20 meters became unstable, so they created tiers stacked on top of one another to gain elevation. Deeper valleys were traversed with an inverted siphon system that involved a sealed pipe flowing down and then back up again using only gravity and pressure.

 roman aqueducts, pont du gard, roman empire engineering The Pont du Gard is a portion of a Roman aqueduct that supplied water to to cross the Gard river in what is now France.ChrisO/Wikimedia Commons

 

Another feature of Roman aqueduct engineering was sluice gates, which allowed them to stop or divert the flow of water. That came in handy for isolating sections to repair as well as for regulating pressure.

Finally, once the water arrived in the city, it was collected in a large distribution basin called the Castellum Divisorium. It was then split into different tanks at different heights—the lowest fed the public fountains, the second lowest for the thermal baths, and the top tier went to private homes. Then it was distributed throughout the city via a network of lead, wood, and terracotta pipes.

  - YouTube  www.youtube.com  

 

How have the aqueducts lasted as long as they have? Scientists have long wondered what made Roman concrete so durable, and in 2023 some light was shed on the mystery. Essentially, they created self-healing concrete. Ancient Roman concrete contains white chunks, or "lime clasts," which had always been assumed to be simply sloppy mixing practices. Turns out, it may have been genius instead. The chemistry is a bit complicated, but essentially it appears that the Romans used a method of mixing their concrete with quicklime—lime in its more reactive form—at high temperatures. When cracks begin to form in the concrete, they do so in the lime casts first simply because they're brittle. But MIT News explains how those brittle casts actually self-heal:

"This material can then react with water, creating a calcium-saturated solution, which can recrystallize as calcium carbonate and quickly fill the crack, or react with pozzolanic materials to further strengthen the composite material. These reactions take place spontaneously and therefore automatically heal the cracks before they spread."

 emperor augustus caesar, roman emperor, ancient rome, roman empire Augustus Caesar commissioned the first Roman aqueduct.Stephencdickson/Wikimedia Commons 

And whom do we have to thank for the aqueduct system? Emperor Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) commissioned the first aqueduct, but it was completed during the reign of Emperor Claudius (14—37 AD). The gentleman to whom its completion was entrusted was the Curator aquarum, or "water magistrate" of Rome, architect Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. Rome would ultimately have 11 aqueducts bringing water into the city from as far as 92 km (57 miles) away, but there were hundreds of kilometers of aqueducts throughout the full empire.

Understandably, people are still impressed by the engineering of Roman aqueducts:

"I mean, having an aqueduct so good it lasts 2000+ years and it's still in use has to be in the top 10 flexes of all time."

"Unimaginable how much work must have gone into a project like this. Breathtaking display of human ingenuity. Respect to our ancestors."

"The Romans were incredible engineers. Not only did they come up with the ideas but had the ability to carry them out."

"I’ve spent all my life in construction sites and I could not imagine the effort and man power a project like this could take. Simply impressive work."

"As someone who works in the water industry… it’s absolutely crazy to me how many of these techniques and processes we use even today on modern site, almost the exact same as they did all those centuries ago, ingenuity at its finest from the Romans."

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