The Red Queen’s Race
Aug. 16th, 2025 05:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
I still have two applications on my Amended docket. I have updated my searches for one of them, and spoken with the patent attorney; he said that he would speak with his client, so let’s hope that agreement will be reached on an amendment to make the case allowable.
I have also been working on my oldest Regular New application, and have written major parts of an Office Action, but am not finished.
I have also been working on my oldest Regular New application, and have written major parts of an Office Action, but am not finished.
Genetics
Aug. 16th, 2025 02:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Great white sharks have a DNA mystery science still can’t explain
Once on the brink during the last ice age, great white sharks made a remarkable recovery globally, but their DNA reveals a baffling story. Classic migration explanations fail, leaving scientists with a mystery that defies reproductive and evolutionary logic.
The most important part of science is being willing and able to say, "I don't know."
Once on the brink during the last ice age, great white sharks made a remarkable recovery globally, but their DNA reveals a baffling story. Classic migration explanations fail, leaving scientists with a mystery that defies reproductive and evolutionary logic.
The most important part of science is being willing and able to say, "I don't know."
Birdfeeding
Aug. 16th, 2025 02:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Today is partly sunny and sweltering.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a male cardinal, and a mourning dove.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 8/16/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 8/16/25 -- I did a more work around the patio.
EDIT 8/16/25 -- I watered the patio plants and old picnic table garden.
EDIT 8/16/25 -- I watered the new picnic table garden.
I picked 5 ground cherries and a red cherry tomato. The ground cherries are related to tomatillos, with a sweet fruit inside a husk. They are about the size of a chickpea with a faint pineapple flavor. :D
EDIT 8/16/25 -- I watered the telephone pole garden and a few of the savanna seedlngs.
Cicacas and crickets are singing. Fireflies are out. I saw a bat.
As it is now dark, I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a male cardinal, and a mourning dove.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 8/16/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 8/16/25 -- I did a more work around the patio.
EDIT 8/16/25 -- I watered the patio plants and old picnic table garden.
EDIT 8/16/25 -- I watered the new picnic table garden.
I picked 5 ground cherries and a red cherry tomato. The ground cherries are related to tomatillos, with a sweet fruit inside a husk. They are about the size of a chickpea with a faint pineapple flavor. :D
EDIT 8/16/25 -- I watered the telephone pole garden and a few of the savanna seedlngs.
Cicacas and crickets are singing. Fireflies are out. I saw a bat.
As it is now dark, I am done for the night.
“War by Other Means”
Aug. 16th, 2025 02:57 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Karl K. Gallagher sent me a copy of War by Other Means, Book Seven in The Fall of the Censor (I subscribe to his Substack). The inscription is “To Nicholas, Freedom requires cooperation. Karl K. Gallagher”
Sarge and Bailey
Aug. 16th, 2025 02:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
At the farmers’ market last Sunday, l spotted a pair of my human friends with their two dogs, Sarge and Bailey. Sarge is a beagle, growing increasingly gray; Bailey is a beagle by courtesy, a hound mix of some sort, looking a bit like a beagle with longer legs. I got to pet both of them, and chat a little with their humans.
Later that day, I spotted another beagle, this one being walked by, it appeared, a mother and her half-grown child. They headed off the other way, so I didn’t get to establish relations, but at least I got to see another beagle.
Later that day, I spotted another beagle, this one being walked by, it appeared, a mother and her half-grown child. They headed off the other way, so I didn’t get to establish relations, but at least I got to see another beagle.
Climate Change
Aug. 16th, 2025 01:20 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Mexican cave stalagmites reveal the deadly droughts behind the Maya collapse
Summary:
Chemical evidence from a stalagmite in Mexico has revealed that the Classic Maya civilization’s decline coincided with repeated severe wet-season droughts, including one that lasted 13 years. These prolonged droughts corresponded with halted monument construction and political disruption at key Maya sites, suggesting that climate stress played a major role in the collapse. The findings demonstrate how stalagmites offer unmatched precision for linking environmental change to historical events.
Just in case you thought climate change wasn't very important, a shift in the environmental conditions is one of the leading causes of civilization collapse.
Summary:
Chemical evidence from a stalagmite in Mexico has revealed that the Classic Maya civilization’s decline coincided with repeated severe wet-season droughts, including one that lasted 13 years. These prolonged droughts corresponded with halted monument construction and political disruption at key Maya sites, suggesting that climate stress played a major role in the collapse. The findings demonstrate how stalagmites offer unmatched precision for linking environmental change to historical events.
Just in case you thought climate change wasn't very important, a shift in the environmental conditions is one of the leading causes of civilization collapse.
Creative Jam
Aug. 16th, 2025 01:17 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
The August
crowdfunding Creative Jam is now up with a theme of "Inner vs. Outer Strength." Come give us prompts or claim some for your own inspiration.
What I Have Written
From My Prompts
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
What I Have Written
From My Prompts
Philosophical Questions: Diversity
Aug. 16th, 2025 12:16 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
People have expressed interest in deep topics, so this list focuses on philosophical questions.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of diversity in society?
( Read more... )
What are the benefits and drawbacks of diversity in society?
Early Humans
Aug. 15th, 2025 06:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Science Newsfrom research organizations
Mysterious Denisovan interbreeding shaped the humans we are today.
Denisovans, a mysterious human relative, left behind far more than a handful of fossils—they left genetic fingerprints in modern humans across the globe. Multiple interbreeding events with distinct Denisovan populations helped shape traits like high-altitude survival in Tibetans, cold-weather adaptation in Inuits, and enhanced immunity. Their influence spanned from Siberia to South America, and scientists are now uncovering how these genetic gifts transformed human evolution, even with such limited physical remains.
Mysterious Denisovan interbreeding shaped the humans we are today.
Denisovans, a mysterious human relative, left behind far more than a handful of fossils—they left genetic fingerprints in modern humans across the globe. Multiple interbreeding events with distinct Denisovan populations helped shape traits like high-altitude survival in Tibetans, cold-weather adaptation in Inuits, and enhanced immunity. Their influence spanned from Siberia to South America, and scientists are now uncovering how these genetic gifts transformed human evolution, even with such limited physical remains.
Birdfeeding
Aug. 15th, 2025 02:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Today is partly sunny and sweltering. :P
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
EDIT 8/15/25 -- I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 8/15/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I've seen a flock of sparrows and house finches.
EDIT 8/15/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 8/15/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 8/15/25 -- I watered the patio plants, old picnic garden, and new picnic garden.
I picked a red cherry tomato.
I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
EDIT 8/15/25 -- I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 8/15/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I've seen a flock of sparrows and house finches.
EDIT 8/15/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 8/15/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 8/15/25 -- I watered the patio plants, old picnic garden, and new picnic garden.
I picked a red cherry tomato.
I am done for the night.
Follow Friday 8-15-25: Indie
Aug. 15th, 2025 01:01 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Today's theme is Indie.
i_love_games -- A Gaming Community
An Active Gaming Community created July 5th, 2013.
[Somewhat active with last post in December 2024.]
indie_games -- Indie Games
Indie games discussion, recs, and squee.
[Somewhat active with last post in June.]
indie_lifestyle -- Indie coolness and all that.
[Dormant with last post in November 2020, but posting is open to all members so this should be revivable.]
musicianships -- The Freaks Club: Musicianships
This Community is for everyone who is involved in music in any way.
[Active with one post in August.]
onesongaday -- One Song A Day
You love music? Come share, listen, enjoy.
[Active with multiple posts in August.]
thefreaksclub -- TFC // The Anti-Thesis Social Network
Everything related to darker alternative subcutlures. Discussion on books, the occult, music, & more.
[Active with one post in August.]
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
An Active Gaming Community created July 5th, 2013.
[Somewhat active with last post in December 2024.]
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
Indie games discussion, recs, and squee.
[Somewhat active with last post in June.]
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
[Dormant with last post in November 2020, but posting is open to all members so this should be revivable.]
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
This Community is for everyone who is involved in music in any way.
[Active with one post in August.]
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
You love music? Come share, listen, enjoy.
[Active with multiple posts in August.]
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
Everything related to darker alternative subcutlures. Discussion on books, the occult, music, & more.
[Active with one post in August.]
Affordable Housing
Aug. 14th, 2025 05:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
These futuristic 3D-printed homes start at just $200K. One city is building 80 of them.
The development will include energy-efficient, high-quality homes with an average size of about 1,360 square feet.
HiveASMBLD plans to print two unique home designs, each with a two-bedroom and two and a half bathroom configuration, as well as an office or flex space, and a covered patio.
Pricing for these homes starts in the mid to high $200,000s.
( Read more... )
The development will include energy-efficient, high-quality homes with an average size of about 1,360 square feet.
HiveASMBLD plans to print two unique home designs, each with a two-bedroom and two and a half bathroom configuration, as well as an office or flex space, and a covered patio.
Pricing for these homes starts in the mid to high $200,000s.
Birdfeeding
Aug. 14th, 2025 02:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Today is sunny, humid, and hot.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
EDIT 8/14/25 -- I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 8/14/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 8/14/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 8/14/25 -- I watered the patio plants and old picnic table garden.
I've seen a male cardinal in the forest garden.
EDIT 8/14/25 -- I watered the new picnic table garden, telephone pole garden, and some of the savanna seedlings.
Crickets and cicadas are singing. Fireflies are out; I haven't seen them in a while.
There was a skunk in the south lot.
I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
EDIT 8/14/25 -- I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 8/14/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 8/14/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 8/14/25 -- I watered the patio plants and old picnic table garden.
I've seen a male cardinal in the forest garden.
EDIT 8/14/25 -- I watered the new picnic table garden, telephone pole garden, and some of the savanna seedlings.
Crickets and cicadas are singing. Fireflies are out; I haven't seen them in a while.
There was a skunk in the south lot.
I am done for the night.
Thankful Thursday
Aug. 14th, 2025 08:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Today I am thankful for...
- The coconut octopus, Amphioctopus marginatus, a tool-using invertebrate. It's also one of two octopus species known to walk bipedally.
- Hopepunk (c.f. Denethor in Lord of the Rings is now a metaphor for doomscrolling, and "Bread and Butter and Hope" by Robert Reich.)
- Getting the melody for m's new song transcribed. (Figuring out the chords is another matter. It might be in Cmin, but are those grace-notes quarter-tones?) (No; it needed quite a lot of proofreading this afternoon.)
- A mastodon thread that starts out "I'm on the
server floor of a "highly secure data center with 24/7/365
surveillance, direct access control and robust perimeter security".
An actual duck just walked by. 🦆