futurebird

futurebird, 10 days ago to random

Imagine being so “rich” you couldn’t have friends, or lovers or a family since the unnatural force of your wealth distorts all human relationships and interactions— turning kindness to suspected obsequiousness compliments to base spaniel fawning, love to a product worn for prestige— and the few who were not perturbed by the magnet of wealth come to hate you for all your suspicions.

futurebird, 10 days ago to random

How would it feel? What would it say about us? if we remain a nation that builds weapons of war, effective weapons, our best technology— and none of the people cared what purpose they served? they could defend a people violated by invading armies, they could be a tool to sweep a people away and not even our young people full of idealism think it worth questioning. Streets quiet, peaceful, another beautiful spring— and not one willing to listen, imagine the rumble of distant munitions.

futurebird, 10 days ago to Fashion

I was a bit uncertain about getting a white blazer, it’s awfully flashy… but I think it works and it makes it feel like spring. This might be my new favorite outfit. #fashion #busstopfashion #boringFancy #boringFashion #fedilooks

futurebird, 11 days ago to random

You are trying to get out of a pit with your friends, the sides are slippery and there is a guy at the top who sometimes throws things at you and you know he's helping other people to make even more pits that are even deeper someplace else. There is a slim chance he could be replaced by another guy who will start filling all the pits in with a bulldozer. Do you keep the jerk or brave the dozer?

Hard choice. I guess?

futurebird, 10 days ago to random

NYC pretends to be a modern city. But really we are still a place with fishmongers and cutlers. Cabarets and speakeasies.

The cutler’s flier advertises when he will bring around his grindstone. (gotta remember my knives that day)

futurebird, 11 days ago to random

Someone said it's important say this publicly in the US: so I will. (And I think each of us should, online and to friends)

This November I will vote for Biden.

I would regard not voting for Biden, particularly in: PA, OH, MI, WI, IN, IL,VA, GA, FL, AZ, ME, NC, NH, etc. as a huge error. I'd be disappointed to find out anyone I knew didn't vote. It's one of a long list of things we need to do. We can't skip it.

And still? We deserve better choices, and in the future we shall have them.

futurebird, 11 days ago to random

I’ve been wanting this print of ants for years and at last broke down and got it. Just put it in a frame. I could look at it forever— it came with a card with a key to each species!

The artist is AMAZING for all kinds of insects.
https://carimnahaboo.com/

futurebird, 11 days ago to random

Politicians and political commentators whine about young people not buying homes and starting families (not getting married) and then do NOTHING to help the young people (who do exist) who would love to do one or more of these things but can't because it's too damn expensive.

Build housing and coops where young people want to live. Protect their jobs with unions. Make health care not an issue.

Do not make some marriages impossible because you don't like the genders.

Not rocket science.

futurebird, 11 days ago to random

I still say Trump won't pick a VP. From what I've seen he wouldn't need to pick one legally unless he is elected... I don't see anything about voters getting to know who it would be before the election... or am I misunderstanding these rules.

There is simply no benefit to picking a VP. Too many forces want Trump gone so having a named successor is dangerous for him.

When he dies the world ends as far as he cares, why would he plan for that?

futurebird, 11 days ago to random

You know the early humans who lived in Europe 25k years ago? The ones with stone tools who carved thicc portable woman statues?

How many do you think there were in all of Europe?

I'm shocked to learn the estimates are only 30,000 people! Hardly even a small town... and spread over so much space. Humans were rare animals. Our shift to numerous is more extreme than I think we realize.

It explains why technology changed so slowly. Not enough people!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTn5KdsxZ0E

futurebird, 11 days ago to random

Currently sowing a tiny garden for my field ants. I've kept field ants before and they didn't really thrive. I'm hoping if I can arrange for them to tend a heard of aphids they will be happier.

They colony is about 15 strong, and the queen is lovely shiny and black. They are also very nervous and freak out at every new sound and vibration. Will a box of green plants calm them? We shall see!

futurebird, 11 days ago to random

Book Cover

Title: "Born Pregnant"

A drawing of an aphid eating a blow pop, with a tiger-print bikini top and cut off shorts like "whatever I do what I want"/"cash me outside"

What is this book about? A garden-themed version of your typical urban fiction story featuring wild young aphids and horrified moral upstanding ants.

futurebird, 11 days ago to random

Happy mother’s day to my Camponotus pennsylvanicus queen! She is nearly four years old this summer and the proud mother of nearly 700 beautiful daughters. Here she is today and years ago where her colony had only 30 ants. She has done an amazing job raising a huge colony!

The same queen protects a small pile of brood.

futurebird, 11 days ago to random

Fact of the Day: A single mature Camponotus pennsylvanicus colony could have more individual members than there were early modern humans in Europe just before the last glacial maximum.

futurebird, 11 days ago to random

Gonna get listed in the yellow pages as an "ant psychologist" ... I'll find out why your ants are too nervous... or aggressive... or depressed. Give me a call!

futurebird, 12 days ago to random

the anti-fluoride people are back... I mean, if you like anti-vax stuff why not? It's the same swindle.

"precious bodily fluids" and all that.

I hate the taste of mint so I'm always looking for toothpaste that tastes better... I was horrified to discover that if you go of the beaten path with toothpaste there are 100s of brands with "no fluoride" which only a tiny number of people really need... Be careful if you use a "crunchy" brand ... fluoride is amazing.

futurebird, 11 days ago to random

He's so damn desperate he is putting everything the president has power over on fire sale.

It's terrifying.

futurebird, 12 days ago to random

Glen Kirshner is so fed up with 'judge' Cannon he's walking his viewers through how to file a judicial complaint. Click by click.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MXVfiTa3KM

futurebird, 12 days ago to random

I need to buy pea plant seeds to raise aphids, and the seeds cannot have any pesticides on them. NONE. Does anyone know a trustworthy supplier?

futurebird, 12 days ago (edited 12 days ago) to random

The MLP ants crossover you have been waiting for.

Fluttershy is a goofy awkward spider ant.

(this is what you asked for ... right?)

https://www.tumblr.com/thepixelatedcactus/749590219375968256?source=share

futurebird, 12 days ago (edited 12 days ago) to random

Tulip, the ant says hi! #namedAnts

futurebird, 12 days ago to random

Concept: An app that trolls your social media feed for links to videos and complies them into a playlist. (with the ability to set restrictions to exclude videos that are over/under various lengths.)

Concept2: A 'widget' box on mastodon's web app where part-time developers could put features such as the above. And a panel with an easy way to add widgets for nonprogrammer end users.

futurebird, 12 days ago to random

Homo naledi is the most interesting new human like primate. They are from South Africa, little people. walked upright, but primates walking upright goes way back.

They had hands just like modern humans but longish arms and powerful shoulders ... so they could probably zip up a tree.

They have small brains half modern size. This has made people astonished that they may have had fire.

I'm glad I'll never meet one, a smart little firebug with powerful arms sounds terrifying. 1/

futurebird, 12 days ago to random

We need to pass a law that says cats can't vote in US elections. Why won't they pass a law? Why? We all feel like cats are voting! (just look at them! You can feel it too, right???)

yeah yeah ... it's already illegal for cats to vote... and I can't show any evidence of cats voting...

but that's just because of UM uh because of..cancel culture.

I can't even talk about this without everyone going nuts.

Why wouldn't someone want such a law? hm? Unless they too are a CAT! Makes u think!

futurebird, 12 days ago to random

Are the legal battles in our courts a kind of ritual conflict resolution?

Like the giant forest ants when they stand on four stiff legs to look as big as possible and hit each other with their front legs and antennae? They don't bite, but the mandibles are wide to show how well they could bite...

Instead we hit each other with paper, like subpoenas...