Today's Cooking
Dec. 13th, 2025 11:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithToday's plan to visit a holiday market got wiped out by copious snow. Again. :( So I'm drowning our sorrows in a batch of Dark Chocolate Brownies with Raspberry Spread.
ysabetwordsmith
Science
Dec. 13th, 2025 02:00 pmysabetwordsmithHuman brains light up for chimp voices in a way no one expected
Humans may carry ancient neural traces that let us recognize the voices of our primate cousins.
Humans don’t just recognize each other’s voices—our brains also light up for the calls of chimpanzees, hinting at ancient communication roots shared with our closest primate relatives. Researchers found a specialized region in the auditory cortex that reacts distinctly to chimp vocalizations, but not to those of bonobos or macaques, revealing an unexpected mix of evolutionary and acoustic influences.
Humans may carry ancient neural traces that let us recognize the voices of our primate cousins.
Humans don’t just recognize each other’s voices—our brains also light up for the calls of chimpanzees, hinting at ancient communication roots shared with our closest primate relatives. Researchers found a specialized region in the auditory cortex that reacts distinctly to chimp vocalizations, but not to those of bonobos or macaques, revealing an unexpected mix of evolutionary and acoustic influences.
Birdfeeding
Dec. 13th, 2025 01:51 pmysabetwordsmithToday is cloudy and cold with copious snow. This has wiped out our plans to visit a holiday market. :(
I fed the birds. I've seen a large mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, at least one female and four male cardinals, a mourning dove, and a tiny wren clinging to the bathroom window as it probed the edges for hibernating insects.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 12/13/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 12/13/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 12/13/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a large mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, at least one female and four male cardinals, a mourning dove, and a tiny wren clinging to the bathroom window as it probed the edges for hibernating insects.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 12/13/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 12/13/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 12/13/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
Economics
Dec. 13th, 2025 12:15 amysabetwordsmithGround Zero: Los Angeles and the Endgame of the Growth Ponzi Scheme
Los Angeles didn’t mismanage its way into crisis. It built its way here.
I disagree. If a city does not track all of its liabilities, such as the maintenance costs of roads and utilities, that is mismanagement. You can't run a budget when you don't know where your money is going. That ought to be obvious.
( Read more... )
Los Angeles didn’t mismanage its way into crisis. It built its way here.
I disagree. If a city does not track all of its liabilities, such as the maintenance costs of roads and utilities, that is mismanagement. You can't run a budget when you don't know where your money is going. That ought to be obvious.
( Read more... )
Philosophical Questions: Humans
Dec. 13th, 2025 12:06 amysabetwordsmithPeople have expressed interest in deep topics, so this list focuses on philosophical questions.
Is the human tendency to create groups an overall positive or a negative trait in terms of general human flourishing?
Necessary. Insofar as we know, Homo like most primates is a troop animal, evolved to live in groups rather than alone. Individuals may choose to live alone, but it is much more difficult. Of course, humans can choose to create groups that are themselves positive or negative in structure and behavior, but that's a personal choice.
Is the human tendency to create groups an overall positive or a negative trait in terms of general human flourishing?
Necessary. Insofar as we know, Homo like most primates is a troop animal, evolved to live in groups rather than alone. Individuals may choose to live alone, but it is much more difficult. Of course, humans can choose to create groups that are themselves positive or negative in structure and behavior, but that's a personal choice.
Water
Dec. 12th, 2025 04:20 pmysabetwordsmithScientists find hidden rainfall pattern that could reshape farming
Where rain comes from may decide the future stability of global food production.
New research shows that crops are far more vulnerable when too much rainfall originates from land rather than the ocean. Land-sourced moisture leads to weaker, less reliable rainfall, heightening drought risk. The U.S. Midwest and East Africa are particularly exposed due to soil drying and deforestation. Protecting forests and improving land management could help stabilize rainfall and crop yields.
Allow me to point out that the Midwest used to have copious fencerows of trees and bushes, more pocket forests, and more farmhouse yards. People cut down most of those to clear a few more acres of farmland. The results have been poor across multiple areas including wildlife losses, soil erosion, worsening winds with less interruption, and of course the aforementioned droughts.
Where rain comes from may decide the future stability of global food production.
New research shows that crops are far more vulnerable when too much rainfall originates from land rather than the ocean. Land-sourced moisture leads to weaker, less reliable rainfall, heightening drought risk. The U.S. Midwest and East Africa are particularly exposed due to soil drying and deforestation. Protecting forests and improving land management could help stabilize rainfall and crop yields.
Allow me to point out that the Midwest used to have copious fencerows of trees and bushes, more pocket forests, and more farmhouse yards. People cut down most of those to clear a few more acres of farmland. The results have been poor across multiple areas including wildlife losses, soil erosion, worsening winds with less interruption, and of course the aforementioned droughts.
Birdfeeding
Dec. 12th, 2025 03:18 pmysabetwordsmithToday is partly cloudy and chilly. Yesterday it snowed.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 12/12/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 12/12/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 12/12/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 12/12/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 12/12/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 12/12/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 12/12/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 12/12/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
Early Humans
Dec. 12th, 2025 01:54 amysabetwordsmith'It is the most exciting discovery in my 40-year career': Archaeologists uncover evidence that Neanderthals made fire 400,000 years ago in England
Neanderthals were the world's first innovators of fire technology, tiny specks of evidence in England suggest. Flecks of pyrite found at a more than 400,000-year-old archaeological site in Suffolk, in eastern England, push back archaeologists' evidence for controlled fire-making and suggest that key human brain developments began far earlier than previously thought.
It's exciting to see such concrete evidence.
Neanderthals were the world's first innovators of fire technology, tiny specks of evidence in England suggest. Flecks of pyrite found at a more than 400,000-year-old archaeological site in Suffolk, in eastern England, push back archaeologists' evidence for controlled fire-making and suggest that key human brain developments began far earlier than previously thought.
It's exciting to see such concrete evidence.
Follow Friday 12-12-25: Labyrinth
Dec. 12th, 2025 12:55 amysabetwordsmithToday's theme is Labyrinth.
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
comicsfanfiction -- Comics Fanfiction
The community for posting any fanfiction, ANY RATING IS ALLOWED, based on COMICS including webcomics or graphic novels. One main place to find all those stories that we all want. Comic fandoms that were originally from another medium (show, book, movie, etc) - for example Gargoyles, Star Wars or Star Trek - and has a comic series line (miniseries or not) are allowed here, but only if you focus on the comics-based information.
[Active with multiple posts in December.]
crossovers -- Crossover fiction from across the universe!
Crossover fan fiction.
[Active with multiple posts in November.]
fandom_fanvids -- A Collection of Fanvids from different Fandoms
[Active with one post in November.]
labyfic -- In Search of New Dreams: A Labyrinth Fan Community
Labyrinth movie community: fanfiction, fan art, & discussion.
[Active with multiple posts in December.]
comicsfanfiction -- Comics FanfictionThe community for posting any fanfiction, ANY RATING IS ALLOWED, based on COMICS including webcomics or graphic novels. One main place to find all those stories that we all want. Comic fandoms that were originally from another medium (show, book, movie, etc) - for example Gargoyles, Star Wars or Star Trek - and has a comic series line (miniseries or not) are allowed here, but only if you focus on the comics-based information.
[Active with multiple posts in December.]
crossovers -- Crossover fiction from across the universe!Crossover fan fiction.
[Active with multiple posts in November.]
fandom_fanvids -- A Collection of Fanvids from different Fandoms[Active with one post in November.]
labyfic -- In Search of New Dreams: A Labyrinth Fan CommunityLabyrinth movie community: fanfiction, fan art, & discussion.
[Active with multiple posts in December.]
Birdfeeding
Dec. 11th, 2025 11:48 amysabetwordsmithToday is cloudy and chilly.
I fed the birds. I haven't seen much activity today though.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 12/11/25 -- It snowed quite a bit today.
I fed the birds. I haven't seen much activity today though.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 12/11/25 -- It snowed quite a bit today.
Today's Cooking
Dec. 10th, 2025 08:42 pmysabetwordsmithToday I made Crockpot Healthy Chicken Soup with the Mazyana Curry Spices. Other ingredients included butternut squash, onion, peas, and pearl couscous. It was okay, but not exciting. We did both like the pearl couscous as a soup / crockpot ingredient, which is good because we have most of a jar left. If I make it again, I'll add more flavor. Possibilities include increasing the curry powder, adding other seasonings such as a bay leaf or sage, and adding fresh garlic and/or ginger.
12/12/25 -- Adding more Curry Spices to the leftovers improved the flavor, but could still use more tinkering.
12/12/25 -- Adding more Curry Spices to the leftovers improved the flavor, but could still use more tinkering.
Sustainability
Dec. 10th, 2025 07:50 pmysabetwordsmithHow Uruguay’s energy supply became 98% renewable
The fossil fuel industry likes to make out that it is a pipe dream to think that we can completely replace fossil fuels with alternative sustainable sources. But the example of Uruguay shows that it is not only possible but the transformation can be done in as short a time as five years.
Now that's impressive.
The fossil fuel industry likes to make out that it is a pipe dream to think that we can completely replace fossil fuels with alternative sustainable sources. But the example of Uruguay shows that it is not only possible but the transformation can be done in as short a time as five years.
Now that's impressive.
Family Skills
Dec. 10th, 2025 06:10 pmysabetwordsmithThe end of marriage?
If marriage goes extinct, it will be because it deserves to.
All these factors converge on one result: increasingly, women are finding marriage unappealing. They see it as a ticket to second-class status where they're expected to subordinate their own lives and dreams to the desires of men.
( Read more... )
If marriage goes extinct, it will be because it deserves to.
All these factors converge on one result: increasingly, women are finding marriage unappealing. They see it as a ticket to second-class status where they're expected to subordinate their own lives and dreams to the desires of men.
( Read more... )
History
Dec. 10th, 2025 05:59 pmysabetwordsmithCorpse Roads and Coffin Stones
Corpse roads are paths over which one carries a coffin to its final resting place. Like crossroads, corpse roads are physical places with metaphysical properties, according to folklore. Such pathways are found all over the world, but the origin of corpse roads in Great Britain is a little more political than you might expect.
The post also includes prompts for stories set in such places. I agree that it is an unparalleled location for family drama, but that is not my best topic.
Corpse roads are paths over which one carries a coffin to its final resting place. Like crossroads, corpse roads are physical places with metaphysical properties, according to folklore. Such pathways are found all over the world, but the origin of corpse roads in Great Britain is a little more political than you might expect.
The post also includes prompts for stories set in such places. I agree that it is an unparalleled location for family drama, but that is not my best topic.
Poem: "Koinophobia"
Dec. 10th, 2025 05:52 pmysabetwordsmithThis poem was written outside the regular prompt calls and posted as part of a swap with janetmiles. It also fills the Questioning square in my 6-2-25 card for the Pride Fest Bingo. It belongs to the series A Poesy of Obscure Sorrows.
( Read more... )
janetmiles. It also fills the Questioning square in my 6-2-25 card for the Pride Fest Bingo. It belongs to the series A Poesy of Obscure Sorrows. ( Read more... )
Tags:
Poem: "Nementia"
Dec. 10th, 2025 05:20 pmysabetwordsmithThis poem was written outside the regular prompt calls and posted as part of a swap with janetmiles. It belongs to the series A Poesy of Obscure Sorrows.
( Read more... )
janetmiles. It belongs to the series A Poesy of Obscure Sorrows. ( Read more... )
Tags:
Politics
Dec. 10th, 2025 02:39 pmysabetwordsmithCongress quietly strips right-to-repair provisions from US military spending bill
Congress has released the final version of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and critics have been quick to point out that previously proposed rules giving the US military the right to repair its equipment without having to rely on contractors have gone missing.
The House and Senate versions of the NDAA passed earlier both included provisions that would have extended common right-to-repair rules to US military branches, requiring defense contractors to provide access to technical data, information, and components that enabled military customers to quickly repair essential equipment. Both of those provisions were stripped from the final joint-chamber reconciled version of the bill, published Monday, right-to-repair advocates at the US Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) pointed out in a press release.
Imagine that you are deep in enemy territory, your gear breaks, and you have no way to fix it.
Also, this greatly undermines everyone else's argument that once you buy something, it belongs to you, and you can do whatever you damn please with it. The military was the best argument for right to repair.
However, it offers a huge opportunity to any manufacturer who wishes to scoop market share. You sell the product with its user manual. Then for those owners who want to repair their own equipment, you sell spare parts and offer classes on maintenance and repair. People who want to repair things would logically buy from you instead of your competitors.
Congress has released the final version of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and critics have been quick to point out that previously proposed rules giving the US military the right to repair its equipment without having to rely on contractors have gone missing.
The House and Senate versions of the NDAA passed earlier both included provisions that would have extended common right-to-repair rules to US military branches, requiring defense contractors to provide access to technical data, information, and components that enabled military customers to quickly repair essential equipment. Both of those provisions were stripped from the final joint-chamber reconciled version of the bill, published Monday, right-to-repair advocates at the US Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) pointed out in a press release.
Imagine that you are deep in enemy territory, your gear breaks, and you have no way to fix it.
Also, this greatly undermines everyone else's argument that once you buy something, it belongs to you, and you can do whatever you damn please with it. The military was the best argument for right to repair.
However, it offers a huge opportunity to any manufacturer who wishes to scoop market share. You sell the product with its user manual. Then for those owners who want to repair their own equipment, you sell spare parts and offer classes on maintenance and repair. People who want to repair things would logically buy from you instead of your competitors.
Birdfeeding
Dec. 10th, 2025 02:37 pmysabetwordsmithToday is cloudy, windy, and chilly.
I fed the birds. I've see a few sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 12/10/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 12/10/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 12/10/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've see a few sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 12/10/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 12/10/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 12/10/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
Good News
Dec. 10th, 2025 12:06 amysabetwordsmithGood news includes all the things which make us happy or otherwise feel good. It can be personal or public. We never know when something wonderful will happen, and when it does, most people want to share it with someone. It's disappointing when nobody is there to appreciate it. Happily, blogging allows us to share our joys and pat each other on the back.
What good news have you had recently? Are you anticipating any more? Have you found a cute picture or a video that makes you smile? Is there anything your online friends could do to make your life a little happier?
What good news have you had recently? Are you anticipating any more? Have you found a cute picture or a video that makes you smile? Is there anything your online friends could do to make your life a little happier?