Monthly Archives: February 2007

Every axiom hums under a toy

Posted on February 20, 2007 by cicada

Now there’s a proverb for the ages. . . or a random sentence generated with the procrastinatory Random Sentence Generator, which also suggests random words of various types (nouns, verbs, common, obscure, etc.) Be warned: if you choose “obscure” words, … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Frivolity, Words | 1 Comment

Medieval Tech Support

Posted on February 17, 2007 by cicada

A monk who doesn’t want to upgrade. Via Lawgeek. Update: At this point, the YouTube link isn’t working; the content may have been pulled. Sorry.

Posted in Books, Frivolity | Comments Off

The most beautifully obscure library in the world?

Posted on February 16, 2007 by cicada

Just looking at this photostream makes me feel like I’m in an Umberto Eco novel! This is the Real Gabinete Portugues de Leitura (Royal Portuguese Reading Room) in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Founded in 1837 with books sent over from … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Museum Lust | 3 Comments

Poem of the Week: let’s hear it for descent with variations

Posted on February 16, 2007 by cicada

Let’s be honest: biologists sometimes get a little intoxicated by the beauty of the natural world. My friends know I will break off mid-conversation to crawl into the brush, mesmerized by a snake or a liverwort. My good china is … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Books, Poetry, Science, Wonder Cabinets | 3 Comments

Now, that’s meritorious

Posted on February 14, 2007 by cicada

Science scouts: much better than plain old girl scouts! Is it scary that I would qualify for so many merit badges? Actually, I could invent a few more, such as “I have administered illegal drugs of abuse to insects,” but … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Cephalopodmania, Frivolity, Science | 2 Comments

A tree of life? More like wildflowers

Posted on February 14, 2007 by cicada

Phylogenetic Tree Visualization I don’t really understand how this representation was created, beyond the involvement of a Walrus; but it’s amazing. According to the source: This picture is a visualisation of the entire tree of life. The tree of life … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Science | Comments Off

Don’t tell your psychiatrist

Posted on February 14, 2007 by cicada

Inkblot #4 Jason Krieger Rorschach blots are controversial diagnostic tools. But I’m digging these digital ink blots by Jason Krieger, editor of Phirebrush. If you think you see cow skulls or dead birds in these blots, that’s because there are. … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art | 2 Comments

A little reading is a dangerous thing

Posted on February 13, 2007 by cicada

I’ve been reading more than posting for the past week, and have a collection of odds, ends and lint to pass on. I have a love/hate relationship with the New Yorker. It’s just too much reading for me to keep … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Frivolity, Poetry, Science, Science in culture & policy | 1 Comment

Rebekka Guðleifsdóttir

Posted on February 12, 2007 by cicada

Núpstaðir Rebekka Guðleifsdóttir I ought to spend more time on flickr. I thought I was so clever to discover photographer Rebekka Guðleifsdóttir, when it turns out she is a flickr superstar with a Prius campaign behind her. You go, girl. … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Photography | 2 Comments

Oh look – it’s me

Posted on February 11, 2007 by cicada

Thank you to my long-suffering friends, who have needed the metaphorical SuperSoaker increasingly frequently. I’ll try to limit my obsessive introspection, I promise. I heart xkcd.

Posted in Department of the Drama, Frivolity | Comments Off