gwembel

How far back in time can you understand English? An experiment in language change

If you liked this experiment, I published a full piece today in the same vein: a text that gets 100 years older with every section, from a modern blog post to a medieval chronicle.

It's a single story spanning 1000 years of English. See how far you get.

www.deadlanguagesociety.com/p/how-far-ba...

The researchers suggest that "because birds and mammals are distantly related (sharing a common ancestor around 300 million years ago), the bouba-kiki effect is not just a quirk of our language. Instead, it could be an ancient organizing principle of the brain that helps animals navigate the world."

Yes! Chicks get the hint without any sound-to-shape training, just like people.

(2/2)... while hearing the nonsense words "bouba" or "kiki" as a hint for where the reward was hidden.

Humans (regardless of native language) get the hint without any sound-to-shape training. That's the bouba-kiki effect. Does it work with chicks?

diagram of chicks with panels

Given a choice between a panel-with-shape vs. a blank panel, chicks were taught to move toward the panel-with-shape to get a food reward.

Later the chicks were given a choice between a panel-with-spiky-shape and a panel-with-rounded-shape, ...
(1/2)

phys.org/news/2026-02...

Sent by a friend
So beautiful, I wanted to share
Happy Lunar New Year
Year of the Horse

and (best of all) people connecting with each other, geographically and generationally, through personally-chosen traditions of what brings us joy and meaning.

I'm hopeful that most of us will continue to cherish and defend multicultural diversity.
(2/2)

Revelers Welcome Year of the Horse With Fireworks and Feasts

WTG multicultural diversity! Today is the first new moon of the lunar calendar, so the Year of the Fire Horse is off and running. A 15-day celebration offers colorful lanterns, exciting dragon dances, fireworks, flavorful foods, (1/2) www.nytimes.com/2026/02/17/w...

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a 15-day celebration that begins on the new moon (between Jan 21 & Feb 20) and ends with the Lantern Festival on the first full moon.

Ans Debije (Dutch Painter, born 1970)
"Reallyand Truly", 2024.
Oil on MDF Panel and Gesso, 15 × 15 cm.
Private Collection.
#art #painting #artist #BlueSkyArt

The EPA shot itself in the knee, but the panderer shot himself elsewhere.

Man with head in sand denying climate change under too-late timeline cartoon

Once there was a gov't agency that tried to help protect the environment. But just before Valentine's Day 2026, a coal-panderer forced the EPA to legally shoot itself in the knee with a climate-denial bullet. 'Twas a painful Valentine to those who love our planet. Ouch. 💔🌍 Stewardship anyone?

A cartoon of a timeline, with the title "Climate Change: A Timeline." The timeline runs from "climate change isn't real" to "ok, climate change is real, but we can just manage it" to "oops" to "fuck."

Once there was a gov't agency that tried to help protect the environment. But just before Valentine's Day 2026, a coal-grudge puppeteer forced the EPA to legally shoot itself in the knee with a climate-denial bullet. 'Twas a painful Valentine to those who love our planet. Ouch. 💔🌍

YouTube video by Qiyu Liu George Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue - Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic (1976)

Gershwin and Bernstein. Even now, despite everything, we gotta celebrate the good stuff.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH2P...

Purple Artichoke Trio by Lisa S Baker. Three artichokes stand tall in this richly textured botanical artwork, their layered petals painted in tones of ivory, copper, and deep violet. Set against a backdrop of teal and earthy hues, the piece combines structure and softness with a stained-glass feel. The bold lines and warm palette make this a striking focal point for kitchen, dining, or garden-inspired spaces.

Three artichokes, bold and blooming in earthy tones and jewel purples. A little abstract, a little botanical - definitely one for the kitchen or garden wall. 1-lisas-baker.pixels.com/featured/pur...

#ArtichokeArt #BotanicalArt #AbstractArt #KitchenArt #BuyIntoArt #Artichoke #Art #Food

Sámi people - Wikipedia

The Sámi (also spelled Saami) are the traditionally Sámi-speaking indigenous people inhabiting the region of Sápmi, which today encompasses large northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and of the Kola Peninsula in Russia.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A1...

"On this day, we enjoy biergomállás, the traditional reindeer herders’ soup. "

"By speaking our language, sharing our food, and passing on traditions, Sámi culture continues to live and grow. "

"Giitu to everyone who celebrates with us and supports Sámi culture."

Lihkku sámi álbmotbeivviin! (2/2)

man and woman in traditional garb with reindeer

Lihkku sámi álbmotbeivviin! Happy Sámi National Day!
💙❤️💛💚 Feb 6

"Nutti Sámi Siida proudly celebrates Sámi National Day, honoring Sámi culture, history, and traditions — past, present, and future. " (1/2)

📷Image credits:
Josefin Riihimäki-Ruokamo @jossiefini
Beatrice Holmberg @beaholmberg

Thanks to Aaron D. Ford for running for governor in my state of Nevada. My husband and I support you.

Sámi National Day - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A1....

(2/2) It's thought that fetuses are more accustomed to rhythm patterns sensed through the amniotic fluid in the womb, such as mom's heartbeat and walking, but that melodic input tends to be muffled or less common.

Babies brains' can follow a beat as soon as they're born Brain scans and signals show babies can sort images and sense rhythm, offering new insight into how infant brains are wired from the start.

RHYTHM BEFORE MELODY

Researchers played piano audio to newborns, with unaltered music OR with pattern changes for rhythm OR melody. EEGs showed reactions suggesting surprise for unexpected rhythm breaks but not for similar breaks of melody patterns. (1/2)
www.sciencenews.org/article/babi...

The humor was especially fun for me, which is why I chose a photo of these two characters.

Photo of two characters in Starfleet Academy, including the Emergency Medical Hologram (EMH).

After watching Starfleet Academy Ep1, I'm giving it a thumbs up and will watch Ep2. Also enjoying these Star Trek traditions:
1) Trekkies who point-out/explain-away canonical "inconsistencies";
2) Controversial social commentary;
3) Telling a story without effect$$$.
russpain.com/en/future-2/...

I like Adam Sharp's thread and its comments, which inspired me to learn about the Ice Cream Bean. Apparently this bean tastes like vanilla and is only coincidentally relevant to expressions similar to karma being a female dog.

photo of Inga Edulis, the Ice Cream Bean

I've been enjoying this thread and its comments, which inspired me to learn about the Ice Cream Bean. Apparently it tastes like vanilla and is only coincidentally relevant to expressions similar to karma being a female dog.

Today is Elmo's birthday. He turns 3 1/2 years old every year. Elmo is a red muppet.

Let's celebrate the joy of imaginative possibilities.
#HappyBirthdayElmo

Fascinating stuff, especially at the end when it talks about positive strategies for reaching across differences.

A depiction of sunset over the coast: palette predominantly reds and oranges, with a little warm white and indigo. Waves crashing into the coast, with rocks and suggestion of a beach on the left side. An almost white low sun, with circles of hazy light radiating outward in a dark red, orange and pale blue sky. Foam crested waves along the horizon, fading into pale blue, orange and red ocean.

I’ve had a lot of fun with this one! Oil on Fabriano, c50 x 50cm/20 x 20 inches). Message me if interested in purchasing. #oilpainting #seascape #sunset #experimenting