September 17
This is where the antelope range
Sagebrush Sisters is a short film (7 minutes) about three women and their hike along a migration corridor between two pronghorn antelope refuges. [more inside]
Novel Fencing Material
Maybe you're a knitter. Maybe you like knitting lace. Maybe you should modify a couple of curtain rods into gigantic knitting needles and knit a fence out of fishing net twine. Maybe the local lace museum is so taken with it they'll have you do one for them!
We need body rockin' not perfection
"Dead bodies move while decomposing, a significant find for death investigations," according to researchers who have used time-lapse photography to study the phenomenon at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER). [more inside]
Welcome...To The Fumble Dimension
Many of you may recall internet sports statistical bard Jon Bois' adventures in taking sports games and seeing how far he could twist the knobs until everything breaks, such as Breaking Madden, or murdering a virtual NBA with horrible players.
Well, he's back at it with compatriot Kofie Yeboah, in a new series for SBNation. (SLYT) [more inside]
"I'm a Mad TV guy anyway"
Even before its new season begins on Sept. 28, Saturday Night Live has fired new cast member Shane Gillis for "offensive, hurtful and unacceptable" language Gillis used on his podcast. The Good Good Comedy Theatre in Philadelphia chimed in with a tweet saying the establishment chose not to work with Gillis because of his "overt racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia - expressed both on and off stage." Other new cast members joining the show's 45th season are Chloe Fineman and Bowen Yang.
Global Climate Strike 20 September
Our house is on fire — let’s act like it. We demand climate justice for everyone. This September, millions of us will walk out of our workplaces and homes to join young climate strikers on the streets and demand an end to the age of fossil fuels. On Friday the 20th – three days out from the UN’s Emergency Climate Summit -- take the day off to show our politicians that we’re serious about climate action. The world isn’t waiting, so neither are we.
[more inside]
#IAmNotABitch #SexistDictionary
Have You Ever Googled ‘Woman’? Nearly 30,000 people have signed a petition to change Oxford Dictionary’s sexist definition of "woman" and cut entries that "discriminate against and patronise women". The dictionary staff are taking the points raised in the petition "very seriously" and OUP is now investigating a possible update to its definition of "woman". [more inside]
Relax. Don't Worry. Visit the Smithsonian.
Curator Theresa McCulla has led the American Brewing History Initiative at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, amassing a collection of brewing artifacts that will debut on October 25 when the Museum's exhibition, FOOD: Transforming the American Table reopens.
Restorative Practices and Policy
“ A decarbonized food system, on the other hand, demands that we build a system on smaller, local scales, shorter supply chains, and ecologically sound principles that are far more robust in the face of literally every single disaster a broken climate can throw at us. But what would it mean to decarbonize food?” Lifecycle Of A Leaf (Current Affairs) Supply management, absent from discussions for decades, is now back in policy proposals. Can it help to pay people what it actually costs to produce food? (Civil Eats) Reckless farming is destroying the planet (CNN) “The report rejects the idea that subsidies are needed to supply cheap food. It found that the cost of the damage currently caused by agriculture is greater than the value of the food produced. New assessments in the report found producing healthy, sustainable food would actually cut food prices, as the condition of the land improves.” (The Guardian) Pod Damn America talks to a leftist pig farmer about agricultural co-ops and why every organic farmer is on food stamps . (1:27:00)
Why Can't Introverts Be Introverts?
The happiest introverts are extroverts "If you are an introvert, force yourself to be an extrovert. You'll be happier."
"According to all measures of well-being, participants reported greater well-being after the extroversion week, and decreases in well-being after the introversion week. Interestingly, faux extroverts reported no discomfort or ill effects." [more inside]
Cokie Roberts, 1943 – 2019
Supreme Court coverage will never be the same. Veteran journalist Cokie Roberts, who joined an upstart NPR in 1978 and left an indelible imprint on the growing network with her coverage of Washington politics before later going to ABC News, has died. She was 75.
Roberts died Tuesday due to complications from breast cancer, according to a family statement.
Odious ideas are not entitled to hide from criticism
34 years after founding it, Richard Stallman has been driven out of the Free Software Foundation after objecting to the phrase "sexual assault" in reference to Marvin Minsky who may have been the perpetrator of a sexual assault. [more inside]
Dark crystals
Dark crystals: the brutal reality behind a booming wellness craze. A Guardian article by Tessa McClure on the healing crystal industry.
Someday the only forests on Earth will exist in a stadium
Nature as a spectator sport: For Forest is a temporary landscape installation in the Wörthersee Stadium, a football (US: soccer) stadium in Klagenfurt, from 8 September until 27 October 2019, when it will be Austria's largest public art installation. Its designer, Klaus Littmann, was inspired by "The Unending Attraction of Nature" (1970/71) by Max Peintner, turning a dystopian vision of the 1970s into a spectacular work of land art [via BoringPostcards on MltShp]. [more inside]
Lausan 流傘 - Sharing decolonial left perspectives on Hong Kong
Lausan 流傘 is a collective of writers, researchers, activists and artists from Hong Kong and its diasporas, engaging with the city’s political struggle. [more inside]
Don’t be condescending. Don’t backseat game. Don’t laugh at them.
How To Get Your Significant Other Into Gaming [Kotaku] “You play games, but your significant other does not. It’s a common scenario that can be a point of contention in an otherwise healthy relationship. To relax after work, you load up Overwatch on the living room Xbox. Your beau, on the other hand, wants to cook dinner with you. An hour watching you gun down virtual enemies is, to them, the definition of boring—even disrespectful of their time. [...] Here’s a guide on how to introduce your significant other to the wide world of gaming. Remember—compromise is key. If your significant other takes the time to game with you, make sure you try out their favorite hobby with them, too.” [more inside]
Does Scrabble Need To Be Fixed?
September 16
Tell the Moon-dog, Tell the March-hare
It's legendary. If there five albums which define progressive rock, this is always going to be one of them. Yes' 1971 release Fragile never really had a strong chart presence. (A truncated version of its lead song made it to #13 in Billboard.) But growing up (of a certain age *cough), I'd bet everyone knew someone who owned a copy, or whose older brother or sister owned a copy. It was inescapable. Perhaps you've escaped it until now. Or perhaps you've not really listened for a long time. Well, here's your chance. Side A: Roundabout, Cans And Brahms (Extracts From Brahms' 4th Symphony In E Minor, Third Movement) [featuring Rick Wakeman], We Have Heaven[ featuring Jon Anderson], South Side Of The Sky [more inside]
Everyday Carry
"They didn’t think I’d go out there and pitch with it"
In case you missed it, now you know about baseball pitcher Mike Fiers' short-lived beard.
Speech after the Removal of the Larynx
Smithsonian Folkways Records, 1964, ctlg. FW06134 The album was recorded by physician Harm A. Drost at the Phonetic Laboratory of the Ear, Nose, and Throat Dept. of the University Hospital, Leiden, in the Netherlands, working under the direction of Professor H. A. E. van Dishoeck. As the advances were fairly new and surprisingly varied, Drost felt a phonograph album demonstrating the techniques would be useful for those in the field. Buccal speech (limited to certain consonants), parabuccal speech (collecting air in a space between the upper jaw and the cheek), glosso-pharyngeal speech (a method deemed obsolete where air is forced between the tongue and the palate), esophageal voice (made by reconditioning one's esophagus via swallowing, suction, or injection), various injection techniques and devices such as the larynxophone, pipa di tichioni, and "western electric" are all explored here, along with other aspects of the larynx and its absence. [YouTube Playlist | Spotify] [more inside]
"How Do You Impeach a President?"
Last Friday, Donald Trump fired off a falsehood-filled tweetstorm defending his record against impeachment, but today House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler told WNYC that, although he personally thinks Trump ought to be impeached, the committee is "concentrating our resources on determining whether to impeach the president [...] for the next few months." With Congress back in session, it began by passing a resolution to set procedures and rules for future impeachment investigation hearings, is negotiating with Jeff Sessions over his testimony, and will be hearing from a scheming Corey Lewandowski on Tuesday. [more inside]
The thing is, come out, give love to your neighbor.
Mother of Dragons(ounds)
Paula Fairfield is the sound designer behind the more fantastical elements in Game of Thrones. She’s given a voice to dragons, direwolves, white walkers, and more. But the story behind these voices goes much deeper than you might think. Hear how Paula’s personal journey played a part in creating some of the most iconic fantasy sounds of the day, and how Game of Thrones helped restore her spirit.
Introducing: Multilingual Nuns
What multilingual nuns can tell us about dementia
A strong ability in languages may help reduce the risk of developing dementia, says a new study. The research examined the health outcomes of 325 Roman Catholic nuns who were members of the Sisters of Notre Dame in the United States. The data was drawn from a larger, internationally recognized study examining the Sisters, known as the Nun Study. [more inside]
What’s interesting about American redstarts?
They’re very pretty. But that’s not all. They’re a great example of how much scientists have learned about birds and how many questions remain unanswered. There’s a lot of information in the chemical composition and color of those pretty feathers. Their bright wing and tail patterns seem to be useful for startling and flushing insects. Studies in other species indicate it’s an effective technique. First-year males have coloration more like females. Why? Maybe to cut down on attacks from older males. Or maybe not. Like most birds, redstarts are socially monogamous and sexually promiscuous, with about 40% of nestlings fathered by a bird outside the pair. Why do birds want multiple partners? A lot of thought and research has gone into answering that question.
But in the end, the poop knives simply didn't make the cut
What a Waste! Frozen Poop Knives Are Crappy Cutters, Scientists Find (Live Science): An anthropologist reported in the 1990s that there was "a well-known account" of a stranded Inuit man crafting a knife from his own, frozen excrement that was sharp enough to kill and butcher a dog. [...] A team of researchers in a laboratory that reverse-engineers ancient tools was intrigued by the story and decided to put it to the test. In the name of science, the lab's co-directors generated the experiments' raw materials and then crafted their own frozen poop knives, describing the process — and the disappointing outcome — in a new study (Science Direct). [more inside]
people of the stony shore
Saudi Sisters In Hiding in Istanbul
Inspired by Rahaf Mohammed, sisters Dua and Dalal fled their family while in Turkey. They've been trying to obtain asylum for months now, all while hiding from Saudi intelligence. (The Saudi consulate in Istanbul is of course where Jamal Kashoggi was killed, so the threat is very real.) The women report being beaten and abused by their family, who tried to marry them off to older men. That Dua is gay caused even more problems. Despite help from a British human rights lawyer and a Saudi activist, they remain at risk.
September Strikes
UAW workers on strike. 46,000 workers at the nation’s largest auto manufacturer walked out after negotiations collapsed Sunday. CNN Live updates. Workers pour out of GM plant in Rochester. (Twitter) Working People Podcast interviews people on the massive layoffs and cutbacks that lead to the strike conditions and the need for international solidarity 1, 2, 3, 4 (Patreon) Grocery workers ready to walk in 3 states . Oregon University Workers set to cast strike vote. Kaiser healthcare workers plan for nation's largest strike since 1997. How To Support The Global Climate Strike Sept 20-27th. [more inside]
Why Black Athletes Should Leave White Colleges
The two marquee college sports - football and men's basketball - see major revenues created on the labor of a significant population of black athletes - revenue that then goes to colleges that are predominantly white. Jemele Hill, writing in The Atlantic, argues that black athletes should be making the decision to play for historically black colleges and universities, bringing that money and exposure back to the black community. (SLAtlantic) [more inside]
Magpie Alert!
Australia's social website to track aggressive swooping magpies in your area. If you are a cyclist, walker, runner or maybe a concerned member of the public then help protect others and share swooping magpie attacks: Australia's Magpie Swooping Map 2019! [more inside]
YYMilk
Hollywood, Georgia and House Bill 481: a complicated story
The Georgia Film Tax Credit brings hundreds of productions—and billions of dollars—to the state each year. But this past spring, a new anti-abortion law (previously) inspired a number of protests, and major Hollywood studios threatened to move their filming elsewhere. Will a boycott happen? Would it have any political effect? And what would it mean for the people who live and work in Georgia? Can Hollywood Change Georgia? Or Has It Already? Max Blau writes for The Ringer, recapping how Georgia became the "3rd coast" for movie and TV production, Hollywood's apparent indifference to other instances of weakened or lacking laws in Georgia or elsewhere, and how pro-choice states are targeting Georgia’s $10 billion film business (Bloomberg; Newsmax mirror/ copy)
Tetromino Slide
Tetris crossed with Threes in a browser game that is beautifully frustrating.
All the Rocky Training Montages, Ranked by Intensity of Workout
Eye of the tiger? Russian hay cart? Chicken chasing? Which one’s really going to get you ready to go a few rounds with the Italian Stallion?
Breaking Good
Breaking Bad but they're synthesizing insulin: Walter White, a 40-year-old teacher with limited health insurance can't afford to pay for his diabetic son's insulin... (continues). Not a joke: Biohackers with diabetes are making their own insulin – it’s the Open Insulin Project, "a team of Bay Area biohackers working on newer, simpler, less expensive ways to make insulin", and "who believe that insulin should be freely available to anybody who needs it". [more inside]
The invention of (synthetic) central bank digital currency
The Fed is going to revamp how Americans pay for things. Big banks aren't happy. "America's central bank plans to build its own real-time payment system, much to the chagrin of big commercial banks. The news: The Federal Reserve has announced that it will create 'FedNow', a system that will allow real-time bank-to-bank payments, all day every day."[1,2,3,4] [more inside]
September 15
The time each kitten spent scratching each scratcher was compared.
"Preference of kittens for scratchers" in Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, Vol 21, Issue 8, 2019.
Two-choice preference tests were conducted to compare scratchers and preferred scratchers with or without additives (ie, catnip, catnip oil, cat hair) in six studies. Kittens (n = 40, <8 weeks old) had access to two scratchers on the floor of a simulated living room for 20 mins and interactions were video-recorded.[more inside]
"I wish I were a dog, so you could photograph me."
Photographer Vincent J. Musi (Instagram) chose almost two years ago to end his years of travel for National Geographic assignments to be home with his wife, Callie, and his then 16-year-old son, Hunter. He built "The Unleashed Studio" in the back of a pet food store and began making extraordinary portraits of our furry best friends in Charleston, S.C. (WaPo)
Dance all night with everyone/ Don't let nobody pick your fun
RIP Ric Ocasek: For all the road trips in all the states and all the dancing in the seat. [more inside]
“therefore inclined to “see only those who fought for slavery”
Charlottesville Confederate Statue Defender Sues Paper, Prof, for Reporting His Family’s Slaveholding History (SL Daily Beast)
Cave music
"Cave and Bat-Inspired Recorded Music and Spoken Word (An International Discographical Database
1905 – 2005)" [more inside]
FIGHT LIKE A GIRL
River City Girls Is Like River City Ransom But With Girls [Kotaku] “For decades, old-school beat-em up fans have been following the adventures of River City Ransom heroes Kunio and Riki, a pair of high school tough guys with a knack for rescuing their girlfriends from thugs. Wayforward’s River City Girls turns that tired formula on its head. It’s an utterly charming old-school brawler where the girlfriends get to rescue the boys, and lord have mercy on anyone who gets in their way. [...] It’s mainly River City Girl’s style that sets it apart from its progenitors. This River City is bright, colorful, and modern, peppered with fashion plate background characters deftly dodging errant attacks. Boss battles are introduced with gorgeous animated cutscenes, while flashbacks are presented as black and white manga volumes.” [YouTube][Game Trailer] [more inside]
The best music visualizer, online!
ButterChurn is a version of Winamp's famous Milkdrop 2 visualizer that runs directly in your browser. Play a song or set from Soundcloud or upload your own!
It’s true, Big Brother is watching
The case for universal US healthcare is made by eliminating employee wellness programs. Employee wellness programs are increasingly draconian and punitive.
Unsurprisingly, employers prize cost-cutting benefits over actual health benefits. [more inside]
Wild Nights with Harvard University Press
"Please, please, I’ll tell you anything I can, but I can’t afford to be on the outs with Harvard!" There's been renewed focus on Emily Dickinson, with fictionalized treatments of her life in last year's Wild Nights with Emily and in the upcoming Dickinson series. But the real-life drama over control of Dickinson's writings -- including "theft, adulterous affairs, a land deal gone wrong, a feud between families, two elite colleges, and some of the most famous poems in American literature" -- could go toe to toe with either of them.
A Murderer Who Kills Murderers Tells His Story
In Mexico's cartel country, a murderer who kills for "good" tells his story. The reality of vigilante justice is a lot different than it looks from the comic books. "Capache" describes being conscripted into the cartels as a teenager, the brutal training and initiation he went through, and how he switched "sides" to "protect" the people who can't protect themselves.
September 14
WE CAME FOR THE SEANCE BUT WE STAYED FOR THE GUN SHOW
YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED TO SEE PIX OF FLEXING VICTORIAN BABES BUT YOU DID (Twitter | Threadreader). See also: Charmion's Trapeze Striptease (SFW) [more inside]
Answering mathowie's question about the real life Simpsons house
I stumbled across this interesting site, covering the old Simpsons House giveaway from a couple many years ago. Here's what the house looks looked like, I wonder if the neighborhood allowed the owners to keep it looking that way. [Update: it was re-painted, but hints of its cartoony past remain]
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