You should read this for 12/23/2017:
Art and Film
My fun with an artist scam artist
James Panero in The Atlantic: Andrew Wyeth forever I greatly admired Wyth’s art as a child, but increasingly his paintings have reminded me of landscapes in Medieval Books of Hours, and of propaganda art. This article helps explain why, and also casts light on why Christina’s World is so very creepy.
Star Wars Breakout Kelly Marie Tran on The Last Jedi and Kylo Ren’s Shirtless Scene See also Becoming Rose on YouTube
Trump-loving troll says he created bots to post bad reviews of ‘The Last Jedi’ because he’s mad about feminism
Books, Writing, and Language
The College Student Who Decoded the Data Hidden in Inca KnotsThis is really interesting in that it shows just how very sophisticated the signals were, and it’s a good example of using digital technology and counting tools (spreadsheets) to assist human pattern matching and interpretation.
Food and Drink
Via The British Library: A medieval recipe for gingerbread Less ginger and more a spiced cookie, but still interesting.
Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry with Sweet Potatoes and Red Peppers I may borrow a slow cooker to make this.
Pay It Forward and Make It Better
Via @ZachWahlsTwitter: “IOWA — Remember that young man from Iowa who spoke to the Iowa legislature a few years ago about growing up with two moms? Hi. That was me — and today, I’m announcing my campaign to join the Iowa legislature. I hope you’ll support our campaign.”
Science and Technology
Dinosaurs Were Around Before Saturn Had Rings “Data from the Cassini space probe suggests that the rings may be as young as 150 million years old”
Twitter Says It Will Ban Threatening Accounts, Starting Today This is a little late but it’s something. I’m also sure that the trolls will just keep generating new accounts.
Lost species of bee-mimicking moth rediscovered after 130 years You really need to see the images for one.
Society
Let it go: The Arctic will never be frozen again “The Arctic as we once knew it is no more.
The region is now definitively trending toward an ice-free state, the scientists said, with wide-ranging ramifications for ecosystems, national security, and the stability of the global climate system. It was a fitting venue for an eye-opening reminder that, on its current path, civilization is engaged in an existential gamble with the planet’s life-support system.”
💩🔥💰 Trumpery 💩🔥💰
Predictions in a Polish journalist’s 15-point guide to surviving authoritarianism proved frighteningly accurate after Trump’s first year “Nearly a year ago, intuitively recognizing the Trump administration’s authoritarian aspirations, Polish journalist and activist Martin Mycielski wrote “Year 1 Under Authoritarianism.” In those early, nerve-racking days following Trump’s inauguration, the piece was shared across social media, an ominous portent of what was to come. The document — helpfully subtitled, “What To Expect?” — offered a list of predictions and warnings about Trump’s first year in office, and exhortations to fight back at every turn.”
