myrmepropagandist
myrmepropagandistYouTube is continuing their assault on "hand que'd" videos. That is the practice of marking the videos you want to see and watching them on a play list.
They just pushed a new update that tries to hide the queue if you don't open it again. It also tries to replace the queue with a list they made (their algorithm) unless you keep navigating back to it.
The moment this breaks I'm gone.
I'm not gonna let ya'll pick what I watch. I don't trust you.
myrmepropagandistAny time I can get the chance to see that colony I run over there. They are like an old friend.
You notice things about them if you visit more than once... they have good days and bad ones, they sometimes move the queen but I don't know if anyone has caught this happening.
They are at war with their keepers (like all ants) they keep little compost piles to make soil to block openings and reduce light. You can always find one ant who has gotten over the mote.
I love them.
myrmepropagandistI sometimes wish I could keep leaf-cutters, but seeing how relentless and persistent they are ... well. I think it's rather like having a pet bear.
myrmepropagandistWhen they first brought the Atta Cephelotes colony to the American Museum of Natural History, there were lots of large soldier ants, guarding the path where the ants, carried their leaves back to their nest, but now having settled in, you see hardly any soldiers at all. I had to look in the nest near what I suspect is the Queen’s chamber to even find one!They may have stopped producing soldiers because, in a close environment, they just aren’t necessary.
#leafcutterants #atta
myrmepropagandistAny time I can get the chance to see that colony I run over there. They are like an old friend.
You notice things about them if you visit more than once... they have good days and bad ones, they sometimes move the queen but I don't know if anyone has caught this happening.
They are at war with their keepers (like all ants) they keep little compost piles to make soil to block openings and reduce light. You can always find one ant who has gotten over the mote.
I love them.
myrmepropagandistWhen they first brought the Atta Cephelotes colony to the American Museum of Natural History, there were lots of large soldier ants, guarding the path where the ants, carried their leaves back to their nest, but now having settled in, you see hardly any soldiers at all. I had to look in the nest near what I suspect is the Queen’s chamber to even find one!They may have stopped producing soldiers because, in a close environment, they just aren’t necessary.
#leafcutterants #atta
myrmepropagandistI believe that Computer Science has a place in "The Liberal Arts Education"-- that is I think an understanding of how computers are made, programming and algorithms should be a part of what a "well educated" person knows regardless of their particular area of focus.
This is not the case at present and one can be considered "well educated" a know nothing about computers.
1/
myrmepropagandistThe concept and philosophy of the liberal arts education is the (I think) sensible idea that everyone* should know a little about the 'greatest hits' of human knowledge.
Obviously what is considered a 'greatest hit' could be contentious. Should everyone read Shakespeare? Does everyone need to know a little algebra? Should everyone be able to read? Should everyone be able to critique art?
2/
*Sometimes this is contracted to only include the ruling class. I see no reason to do this.
myrmepropagandistI believe that Computer Science has a place in "The Liberal Arts Education"-- that is I think an understanding of how computers are made, programming and algorithms should be a part of what a "well educated" person knows regardless of their particular area of focus.
This is not the case at present and one can be considered "well educated" a know nothing about computers.
1/
myrmepropagandistSo a few months back I found a study that tried to do the "mirror test for consciousness" on ants. I remember not being very impressed with the journal where it was published, though I found the topic fascinating.
Anton Petrov has now mentioned this study in one of his videos, which means it's going to spread more.
So... how do the ant people feel about this?
https://www.journalofscience.net/html/MjY4a2FsYWk=
@alexwild@mastodon.online @MyrmecolNews@ecoevo.social #ants #ant #myrmecology
myrmepropagandistAnt Ceramic Art on Etsy:
There are some really excellent pieces of art. Maaan if I were a rich person with a house with a place to put a $600 vase I know exactly which vase I would have. :
https://www.etsy.com/listing/8838238/ant-picnic-6x6-ceramic-art-tile
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1661330421/stunning-casas-grandes-mata-ortiz-olla
https://www.etsy.com/listing/4393721145/ceramic-sgraffito-bowl-with-ants?
I just wanted someone else to look at the nice ant art. Maybe it will inspire YOU to make ant art.
Is a house really a home without some ants?
myrmepropagandistThis vase is perfect. A better vase cannot be made.
myrmepropagandistAnt Ceramic Art on Etsy:
There are some really excellent pieces of art. Maaan if I were a rich person with a house with a place to put a $600 vase I know exactly which vase I would have. :
https://www.etsy.com/listing/8838238/ant-picnic-6x6-ceramic-art-tile
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1661330421/stunning-casas-grandes-mata-ortiz-olla
https://www.etsy.com/listing/4393721145/ceramic-sgraffito-bowl-with-ants?
I just wanted someone else to look at the nice ant art. Maybe it will inspire YOU to make ant art.
Is a house really a home without some ants?
myrmepropagandistI've had people hear this idea scoff saying "teens will never use it" I don't think this is true. They ALL come to the dances, even though they are "so boring" -- and I think at some level they would feel better having a safer place to express themselves in photos, videos and writing for each other without every creep on the internet looking in on it.
Will some teens still find internet "after parties" Yes.
But right now we are basically saying you can go to the afterparty or NOTHING.
5/5
myrmepropagandistDarkly? I think the big social media companies do not really want young people to be "empowered digital citizens" or "people who can set boundaries, and make wise choices about the online spaces they participate in"
They want them to be like many adults, kind of helpless and unable to look away from a kind of social media that makes their mental health worse while wasting their time and selling them garbage.