metapsyche @metapsyche@qoto.org

More on zebra stripes: I actually thought it funny--the theory that Zebra stripes are camouflage, because they actually stand out and catch more attention.
But now I learned that their stripes are defense against flies.

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks/feb-23-2019-tiny-tyrannosaur-art-acne-what-zebra-stripes-do-and-more-1.5028231/zebra-stripes-confuse-tiny-predators-not-the-big-ones-1.5028255

so I just learned that Zebras can raise the hair on their black stripes to aid in cooling .

Why Do Zebras Have Stripes? A Hair-Raising New Theory is 'Clever, Complex And Beautiful'
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2019/06/14/why-do-zebras-have-stripes-a-hair-raising-new-theory-is-clever-complex-and-beautiful/

whoa! Kratom: What science is discovering about the risks and benefits of a controversial herb
https://theconversation.com/kratom-what-science-is-discovering-about-the-risks-and-benefits-of-a-controversial-herb-152677

Non-classical photosynthesis by earth's inorganic semiconducting minerals
https://phys.org/news/2021-01-non-classical-photosynthesis-earth-inorganic-semiconducting.html
"...minerals and organisms are actually inseparable.."

It's tough when you have some friends that support Trump--I have a few mild trumpsters in my circles, but I stopped judging them based on that. I stopped becoming a 'hater' myself, and chose to be compassionate rather than chastise them. There's healing in that kind of attitude, I have learned. And it works both ways. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-shared-psychosis-of-donald-trump-and-his-loyalists/

Great article to inspire devs towards a more diverse and better economy on the web (away from ad-based monetization) https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2021/01/towards-ad-free-web-diversifying-online-economy/

Good moves! https://newatlas.com/robotics/entire-boston-dynamics-robot-dances-spot-atlas-handle/

Happy holidays from the Unity ML-Agents team! Cool projects here:
https://blogs.unity3d.com/2020/12/28/happy-holidays-from-the-unity-ml-agents-team/

Biophilic Homes Prove Nature is the Best Medicine
https://neo.life/2020/12/biophilic-homes-prove-nature-is-the-best-medicine/
Lots of great ideas there. We really need to connect back with nature

Scientists Find Remarkable New Snake Species in Philippines
http://www.sci-news.com/biology/levitonius-mirus-09189.html

It was cloudy in my area during that night so i was bummed. But this pic is great, and a good write up below. Amazing sight of 2 planets in one shot.
https://www.livescience.com/great-conjunction-telescope-image.html

Sixty Bottles of Smuggled Whiskey From Prohibition Times Found
https://mymodernmet.com/smuggled-whiskey-prohibition/
I wanna taste this whiskey 😋

It's a race. Which is faster? vaccine development+distribution , or virus mutation+spread?
I hope not, but I think the virus might be quicker. sigh :(
https://theconversation.com/why-it-matters-that-the-coronavirus-is-changing-and-what-this-means-for-vaccine-effectiveness-152383

I've played Mass Effect and I am watching The Expanse https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2020/12/22/the-expanse-helped-me-understand-a-major-mass-effect-plot-point/

Hey Stupid facebook, you should make your products unhackable as much as you can...If your products are secure then it can't be used by hackers. Also, Google should know better than joining this legal battle. https://venturebeat.com/2020/12/22/microsoft-and-google-join-facebooks-legal-battle-against-hacking-company-nso/

Damn. Just as we have good news of vaccine, here comes the virus fighting back https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/362049

160 Years Later, Study Shows Charles Darwin Was Right About Why Insects (On Windy Islands) Are Losing the Ability to Fly
https://scitechdaily.com/160-years-later-study-shows-charles-darwin-was-right-about-why-insects-are-losing-the-ability-to-fly/

What's the biggest group of animals ever recorded on Earth?
https://www.livescience.com/largest-group-of-animals.html