Category Archives: Frivolity

Procrastination is important to a well-balanced mind.

Wander-lust

Posted on July 25, 2007 by cicada

I woke up yesterday in Idaho, today I’m in Seattle, and in a few hours I fly to London. Woohoo. I’m somewhat sleep deprived and I still have to pack my bags, so I’m going to drop this link and … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Department of the Drama, Frivolity | Comments Off

Ow, my eyes

Posted on July 15, 2007 by cicada

The famous Rotating Snakes illusion I was in the subway yesterday when the repeating pattern of concrete blocks started messing with my head. I did a little research later, but couldn’t find anything about the illusion I experienced (probably because … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Frivolity | 3 Comments

Aesthetic outsourcing: arthropod artisans

Posted on July 13, 2007 by cicada

Peacay just let me know about this cool article in Cabinet Magazine, written by Jeffrey Kastner. The aquatic caddisfly constructs a shell-like “case” for itself out of debris in its environment. For years, artist Herbert Duprat has been supplying his … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Frivolity | 5 Comments

My physics envy: derailed by pesky exponents

Posted on July 10, 2007 by cicada

Earlier, it seemed like everyone in the biology blogosphere (including me) voiced their opinion on whether biology is perceived to be easier than physics, and whether that explains why we see so much inaccurate popular biology perpetrated by non-biologists. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Frivolity, Science | 1 Comment

A non-trivial trivia question

Posted on July 10, 2007 by cicada

Dear readers, I’m in need of advice.  I love Trivial Pursuit, but I have the original questions long memorized (long live Avery Brundage!), and some of my friends have the same problem with subsequent Genuses. When I went online to buy … Continue reading →

Posted in Department of the Drama, Frivolity | 4 Comments

When Vampires get tenure

Posted on July 5, 2007 by cicada

Self-described “exhibition of weirds” Farrago’s Wainscot has a suspiciously convincing webpage for Associate Professor of Sanguinary History Anna S. Oppenhagen-Petrescu, from class syllabi to CV – including the preface of her new book, snarky footnotes, and slightly ambiguous encomiums from … Continue reading →

Posted in Frivolity, Littademia, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Absolutely hilarious

Posted on July 4, 2007 by cicada

From the Guardian: scientists and non-scientists attempt to answer basic science questions. Example: Q: Roughly how old is the earth? A: Oh blimey. Well, I know that human beings have been going for about a million and a half years, … Continue reading →

Posted in Frivolity, Science, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

How much do I need this?

Posted on July 4, 2007 by cicada

Yeah, that’s right – it’s serotonin! Raven Hanna remixed her biophysics PhD with design and got neurotransmitter-based jewelry. Never mind diamonds–these have got to pack a pretty powerful placebo effect, don’t you think? I want the serotonin necklace and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Frivolity | 1 Comment

Dude, this book ys for real?

Posted on July 3, 2007 by cicada

Hey. . . where’s that essay I wrote twelve years ago on narrative unreliability in Monty Python and the Holy Grail? I think its time has come! (They also need a chapter on the reification of puns.) Cultural Studies of … Continue reading →

Posted in Frivolity, Littademia | 2 Comments

I like this result

Posted on July 2, 2007 by cicada

The Classic Dames Test Your Score: Katharine Hepburn You scored 14% grit, 52% wit, 38% flair, and 2% class! You are the fabulously quirky and independent woman of character. You go your own way, follow your own drummer, take your … Continue reading →

Posted in Frivolity | 6 Comments