10 reads of february & what i learned from each!
it's like article book club ☺
It's a common (and always funny) gripe that online recipes are buried beneath lengthy & dramatic personal narratives before getting to the heart of the matter. So, without further ado, I'll skip the preamble and dive straight into sharing the 15 articles that I learned from this month.
Is it better to desire, or be desired?
The author of this article becomes fascinated with this particular question and decides to conduct a poll among a diverse group of people. As I expected, the responses are varied and deeply reflective. Some argue that to desire is more fulfilling, allowing for a sense of control and active engagement with one's feelings, while others suggest that being desired offers a sense of validation and power, albeit sometimes uncomfortably so. The conversation uncovers a general consensus that desiring and being desired are intertwined experiences, each with its unique set of joys and challenges.
I wonder how our individual experiences and societal influences shape our understanding of desire's role in our lives. Also what this reveals about our quest for connection and recognition.
Evolution Keeps Making Crabs, And Nobody Knows Why
In their quest to unravel the complex evolutionary tapestry of crabs, scientists have uncovered that the quintessential characteristics we associate with crabbiness have astonishingly evolved independently at least five times over the past 250 million years. This fascinating discovery not only sheds light on the adaptive nature of these creatures, altering their appearance and lifestyle, but it also introduces a curious distinction between what we call true crabs and false crabs. This begs the intriguing question: what really defines a crab?
Jennings' article on Vox delves into the intricate dance between artistry and the necessity of self-promotion in the digital age. Talented individuals are often overlooked if they lack a significant online following, underscoring the importance of a personal brand in today’s market. The internet, particularly social media, has democratized culture to some extent but has also placed the onus of marketing squarely on artists' shoulders, doubling their workload while diminishing their earnings. The pursuit of art has transformed into an entrepreneurial endeavor, with creators forced to become marketers to survive.
The article suggests that while self-promotion can open doors, it also risks diluting the purity of art, making creators wary of how their work is perceived and potentially stifling innovation.
Can true innovation thrive in an environment dominated by marketing strategies?
The Secrets of Language (No paywall link here!)
I am OBSESSED with learning about language. This article highlights how human conversation is filled with complex mechanisms that enable humans to connect and understand each other across diverse cultures and languages. A key insight from the piece is the observation that the average gap between speakers during a conversation is only 200 milliseconds, a universally short span that is consistent even in sign language conversations. This rapid exchange requires humans to listen and formulate responses in real-time, showcasing our unique ability to communicate efficiently and effectively. "Dolphins can swim amazingly fast, and eagles can fly as high as a jet, but this is our trick," a linguist explains, emphasizing the exceptional nature of human conversational skills compared to the physical abilities of other species.
The article also touches on the concept of "familect," a term used to describe the unique slang that develops within families, driven by in-jokes, mishearings, and the mundane aspects of daily life. This personal layer of communication sweetly adds depth to our interactions, further illustrating the complexity and richness of human speech. :’)
The $40m Bet That Made South Korea A Food and Cultural Power
A tactic governments use to increase awareness of their nations through food, called gastrodiplomacy, has helped South Korea in its decades-long plan to get its food on the world’s menu.
The concept of gastrodiplomacy is not new; historical precedents dating back to ancient civilizations used food as a means to foster diplomatic relationships. However, South Korea's approach has been among the most systematic and well-funded efforts, seeking to leverage its cuisine to build soft power and improve its national brand. The government's efforts included opening Korean restaurants abroad, standardizing recipes, and marketing South Korea as a culinary hotspot for international tourists.
A group of 1970s campus librarians predicted our world of distributed knowledge and research, and designed search tools for it, forerunners to search engines that we have today. One critical concern is the loss of context.
In a world where information can be accessed independently of its source or context, how do we ensure that the knowledge we acquire retains its integrity and relevance?
And importantly, how do we prepare for these challenges today to ensure that the future of research and knowledge acquisition remains robust, reliable, and contextually grounded?
Highlights the evolution of shoe design from prioritizing function to prioritizing fashion, particularly focusing on the example of high heels. Initially worn by men as a symbol of status and power, heels became associated with femininity and sexuality for women. Despite their discomfort and potential health risks, high heels have persisted in fashion, though there's a growing trend towards prioritizing comfort and ergonomics, as evidenced by the popularity of sneakers.
Fruit Flies Have Shorter Lives if Exposed to Their Own Dead, Scientists Find
For a species that spends “much of its life feasting on decayed matter”, fruit flies are super sensitive to their own dead. Witnessing a parade of fruit fly carcasses was found to cut their lives short by 30%, with scientists finding two specific types of neurons, were activated around their own dead. They then stimulated those same neurons in healthy fruit flies, and doing so shortened their lives too—even though they weren’t hanging out with dead friends. Does the sight of the dead bring about a depressive state that can shorten human lives too? No doubt further research is to come.
This piece talks about Eric Pickersgill's photographic exhibition 'Removed' (2015) and how it serves as a stark visual commentary on the pervasive impact of digital technologies on human relationships and societal engagement. Through the compelling imagery of individuals staring blankly at their empty hands (where smartphones would typically be found), Pickersgill captures the essence of modern disconnection amidst physical proximity. This project was inspired by the artist's observation of a family's interaction, or lack thereof, due to their engagement with digital devices, highlighting a broader cultural and social phenomenon of isolation and loneliness exacerbated by digital technology. This concern has been echoed by public health advisories and reflects a growing discourse around the consequences of digital engagement on public and personal well-being.
How Chile's Stolen Babies Are Finding Their Biological Families After Decades Apart
Thousands of Chileans, illegally adopted during the Pinochet dictatorship, are now relying on DNA and other tech to trace their biological families. Despite challenges such as incomplete information and limited resources, Nos Buscamos has successfully reunited hundreds of families. The article also touches on the ethical considerations of using private genetic testing companies and emphasizes the importance of proceeding with caution, particularly when dealing with genetic data from vulnerable communities like Indigenous groups.