Shop Entomologically? August 20, 2008
Posted by argotnavis in News.Tags: aphids, eBay, taxonomy
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Saw this on BBC News just now. That’s a pretty good eBay score, I’d say. There seems to be no shortage of amber on eBay (most of it made into jewelry, apparently), but I’d imagine that it very rarely contains a previously unknown species. Not too bad for about $40. I’m a bit disappointed about the name, though:
“I had thought it would be rather nice to call it Mindarus ebayi,” said Dr Harrington.
“Unfortunately using flippant names to describe new species is rather frowned upon these days.”
Call me old-fashioned, but I think more new species should have flippant names.
Biology and Language August 19, 2008
Posted by argotnavis in Language.Tags: evolution, linguistics, physical anthropology, PLoS, Stephen Jay Gould
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I was looking through the July issue of PLoS Biology today (I was originally looking for this article about birds, which I couldn’t find at the time), and I came across this article, “Across the Curious Parallel of Language and Species Evolution” by John Whitfield. I’ve been curious about the similarities between biological and linguistic evolution since I read Bully for Brontosaurus, and this article talks about some interesting linguistics research at the intersection between the two. Here’s a pretty good quote:
Simon Kirby, also at the University of Edinburgh, thinks that the key biological attribute that allows humans to learn language might not be genetically encoded grammar but vocal learning—the ability to remember and reproduce sequences of sound, which is also seen in songbirds and bats. “We could just be a chimp that can sing,” he says.
Most of us aren’t as hairy, either, but you get the idea.
Gasp August 19, 2008
Posted by argotnavis in Archaeology, Humor, News.Tags: archaeoblog, Bigfoot, craziness, hoaxes, Indiana Jones
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Saw this on CNN today. Apparently the “Bigfoot” that was found recently in Georgia is a hoax. The research team (note that Richard Klein was not a member) found that it was, uh, made of rubber. Please, try to contain your surprise. I know. We were all pretty sure this one was for real.
This whole thing really makes me wonder. No, I’m not wondering why it is that people are still willing to believe that the proof will actually materialize, long after the eighth time. What I’m wondering is whether it’s really as easy as it sounds. Do you really just have to buy a gorilla suit, steal grandpa’s dentures and gut a possum to get your name all over CNN for a few days? This wasn’t a sophisticated hoax or anything. They really did just stick a Bigfoot costume in the chill chest. Oh well.
In related news, Archaeology Magazine has found their own Bigfoot, and they’re putting him up against Indiana Jones in what I assume is a fight to the death (via). Bigfoot definitely seems to have the advantage, but Indy is really kicking some ass in the polls. Really, though, it isn’t that surprising. Bigfoot isn’t as popular among archaeologists since the controversy surrounding him last year.
Retro T August 15, 2008
Posted by argotnavis in Life.Tags: Boston, maps, Red Line
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I was on the Red Line today, and for the second time in as many weeks, I noticed that one of the maps above the doors was slightly out of date. I really wish that I’d thought to take a picture one of those times, because it’s pretty cool. Perhaps I’ll get lucky and see it a third time.
It’s at least as old as 1980, judging from the fact that the Braintree branch doesn’t actually stop at Braintree. This also means that the northern branch only goes as far as Harvard, and Downtown Crossing is still listed as Washington.
I wonder, though, if this has ever caused anyone to panic for a moment or two? All of the other maps are correct, but couldn’t you see it happening? You know, just for a second.
