Creativity

Thoughty Thursday: Things that made me go hmmmm on the interwebz, Feb 16-22, 2020

/ Melanie Marttila

I’m back, and it’s time to get your mental corn popping.

Juhyundred examines colonialism in Parasite. Amazing analysis. Tropics of Meta

SciShow investigates a possible cure for cancer (that was discovered by accident).

How unprocessed trauma is stored in the body. Medium

David Keys: a treasure trove of fine textiles reveals the importance of fashion to Bronze Age Britons. The Independent

Catherine Boeckmann shares the meanings of flowers. The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Sarah Barnes introduces us to Matt Burgess, the photographer who captures the moods of waves. My Modern Met

Madeleine Stone reports that the Antarctic peninsula is setting heat records, but they won’t stand for long. National Geographic

Does consciousness influence quantum mechanics? PBS Space Time

Lori Dorn shares an amazing video of an industrious mouse tidying up a retire electrician’s tool shed each night. Laughing Squid

The mating dance of the peacock spider. Ze Frank (who else?)

And that is your edutainment for the week. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you’re taking away something to inspire your next creative project.

I might get my next chapter update out on the weekend.

Until then, be well, my writerly friends 🙂

ThoughtyThursday2019

Thoughty Thursday: Things that made me go hmmmm on the interwebz, Feb 9-15, 2020

/ Melanie Marttila

And now, it’s time to get your mental corn popping 🙂

Shiri Pasternak: No, those who defend the Wet’suwet’en territory are not criminals. The Globe and Mail

First Peoples Law publishes an explainer on The Wet’suwet’en, Aboriginal Title, and the Rule of Law.

Lori Teresa Yearwood interviews people living on the streets of Koreatown, LA. Slate

Kate Murphy says, you’re not listening and here’s why. The New York Times

Shana Lebowitz: 12 things people decide within moments of meeting you. The Ladders

When uterine tissue goes rogue. SciShow

Kelly Dawson explains how many towels you really need to own. Food 52

Ed Regis: no one can explain why planes stay in the air. Well, they can, but they can’t agree, and it can’t be proven … Scientific American

Open Culture shares 42 hours of ambient sound from Blade Runner, Star Trek, Alien, and Doctor Who that will help you relax and sleep.

SciShow Space news covers new ways to analyze moon rocks and the power of Pluto’s heart.

Emily Watlington reports on how museums are making art accessible to the visually impaired online. Art News

Can trees really help fight climate change? It’s okay to be smart

Tom Vanderbilt explains how Denmark took a mountain of trash and made a ski hill. Outside Online

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you found something to inspire your next creative project.

Until next tipsday, be well, be kind, and stay strong. The world needs your stories.

ThoughtyThursday2019

Thoughty Thursday: Things that made me go hmmmm on the interwebz, Feb 2-8, 2020

/ Melanie Marttila

Happy Friday eve! It’s time to get your mental corn popping to see you through to the weekend.

Philip Moscovitch believes that people with mental illness don’t need more talk. While this is a year old, the message bears repeating. Bell Let’s Talk days is great, but what about the other 364 days of the year? And what about actual change? The Globe and Mail

Jorge Barrera reports that the Robinson-Huron Treaty First Nations demand that Ottawa and Ontario cease land claim talks that affect their rights. CBC

Māori water rights case aims to stop water bottling. RNZ

Zöe Ettinger introduces us to 20 inspiring black women making history in 2020. Insider

Max Read presents five theories about conspiracy theories. Intelligencer

Why did the Vikings have “Allah” embroidered into their clothes? BBC

James Urquhart reveals how yarn made from human skin can be knit into your body. New Scientist

Mary Robinette Kowal: Christina Koch lands on Earth and crosses a threshold for women in space. The New York Times

Rebecca Hill introduces us to the outer space sailing captain. Ozy

Nadia Drake says, the sun is still a burning mystery, but that may be about to change. National Geographic

Are there infinite versions of you? (Mind bendy stuff) PBS Space time

Kristine Mitchell presents the Golden Ratio Colouring Book. My Modern Met

Mayukh Saha: photographer captures the beauty of looking up at trees. Truth Theory

Nina Pullano: first squid MRI study shows brain complexity similar to dogs. Inverse

Truly Mind visits Nepal, where an annual festival thanking dogs for being our friends takes place.

True facts about the skeleton shrimp. Ze Frank

Thank you for visiting, and I hope you’re taking away something to inspire your next creative project.

Until next tipsday, be well, be kind, and stay strong. The world needs your stories.

ThoughtyThursday2019

Thoughty Thursday: Things that made me go hmmmm on the interwebz, Jan 26-Feb 1, 2020

/ Melanie Marttila

It’s time to get your mental corn popping, that is, to get you thinking and to get those ideas and creative connections ping-ponging off the inside of your skull 🙂

Suzanne Yost says, because I’m an introvert, you won’t see the real me right away. I still remember when I got to know one of my boyfriend’s friends better, they said they thought I was a snob … but that I was really rather fun. Thanks? Introvert, Dear

Nikki Sanchez: decolonization is for everyone. TEDxSFU

Erin Blakemore presents seven mysterious sounds that science has yet to solve. Popular Science

Neel V. Patel shares the highest resolution picture of the sun ever taken. MIT Technology Review

Alex Pasternack: this amazing new planetarium show is like Google Earth for the universe. Fast Comapny

Andrew Daniels: we spent all day arguing about this triangle brain teaser. Can you solve it? Popular Mechanics

How a simple equation will change the way you see the world. Veritasium

The oldest pool of water on Earth is in Ontario. Curiocity

Judith Lavoie reports that a government investigation reveals BC timber sales violating old-growth logging rules. The Narwhale

Bryan Nelson: the world’s largest honeybee makes rare, hallucinogenic honey. Mother Nature Network

Appalachian Magazine introduces us to the witch bottle.

Delaney Strunk presents a mother’s letter, written moments before her death at Auschwitz. Insider

Thanks for dropping by, and I hope you found something to inspire your next creative project.

Until next time, be well, be kind, and stay strong. The world needs your stories.

ThoughtyThursday2019

Thoughty Thursday: Things that made me go hmmmm on the interwebz, Jan 19-25, 2020

/ Melanie Marttila

Let’s get your mental corn popping. That’s right, it’s thoughty Thursday, and you know what that means … Friday’s right around the corner!

Why trauma survivors can’t just “let it go.” The Mighty

Elena Renken: most Americans are lonely, and our workplace culture may not be helping. NPR

James Hamblin considers China’s unprecedented quarantine of Wuhan in the hope of halting the spread of coronavirus. The Atlantic

John B. Judis offers a warning from the 60s generation. The Washington Post

John Henley reports that overtourism in Europe’s historic cities sparks backlash. The Guardian

SciShow examines why humans menstruate (when most other mammals don’t).

SciShow Psych looks into REM sleep behaviour disorder.

Rebecca Heilweil explains how AI can help find opioid sellers online … and wildlife traffickers … and counterfeits. Vox

Archaeology World shares images of 14000-year-old bison sculptures found in Le Tuc D’Audoubert cave in Ariege, France.

SciShow considers the causes of crown shyness.

The mating dance of the puffin. Ze Frank

Thank you for visiting. I hope you found something to inspire your next creative project.

This weekend, I’ll be working on my next chapter update for the first month of the new decade (eee!). Until then, be well, be kind, and stay strong. The world needs your stories.

ThoughtyThursday2019

Thoughty Thursday: Things that made me go hmmmm on the interwebz, Jan 12-18, 2020

/ Melanie Marttila

This week, I found lots of resources to get your mental corn popping.

Zwikar Oli reports for the Plaid Zebra: moss-growing concrete absorbs CO2, insulates, and serves as vertical garden.

Alex Landon considers similar installations in London: artificial trees absorb as much pollution as 275 regular trees. Secret London

Nathan Bahadursingh says that urban farming is the future of architecture. Architizer

Greta and George

Gosia Wozniacka warns about the dark side of compostable take-out containers. Eater

Alex Ross considers the past and future of the world’s oldest trees. The New Yorker

Five things ravens do. The Raven Diaries

Christian Cotroneo tells the tale of the astonished divers who encounter a massive jellyfish off the coast of England. Mother Nature Network

Chelsea Whyte explains how we can tell where a whale has travelled by the themes in its song. New Scientist

True facts about the ostrich. Ze Frank

Eben Disken: wombats are the improbable heroes of the Australian bushfires, hiding other animals in their burrows. Matador Network

Greg Hogben explains how we broke our promise to Harry. My Daughter’s Army

Melissa Pandika: why does my body jerk when I’m falling asleep? Mic

Joseph Stern shares his perspective on dying in the neurosurgical ICU. The New York Times

Kathrin Glösel: Finland ends homelessness and provides shelter for all in need. Scoop.Me

Anne Quito reviews a survey of 20,000 creatives that suggests group brainstorming is a giant waste of time. Quartz

John Pavlus: computers are learning to see in higher dimensions. Wired

Kelly Richman-Abdou shares five powerful paintings by underappreciated female artist Artemesia Gentileschi. My Modern Met

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you found something you can use to inspire your next creative project.

Until next tipsday, be well, be kind, and stay strong. The world needs your stories.

ThoughtyThursday2019

Thoughty Thursday: Things that made me go hmmmm on the interwebz, Jan 5-11, 2020

/ Melanie Marttila / 1 Comment

It’s that time of the week again—time to pop your mental corn! Give yourself the gift of thoughty, and welcome a happy Friday with a satiated brain 🙂

How to capture a ghost particle. PBS Space Time

Alex Fox relates how nuns are converting their convent into a wetland to fight flooding in New Orleans. The Hill

Geology In shows us the incredible crystal caves of Naica, Mexico.

That time the Mediterranean Sea disappeared. PBS Eons

Zaria Gorvett: medications that change who we are. BBC

Markham Heid explains why you wake up at the same time every night. Medium

Why a strong immune system may mean more severe cold symptoms. SciShow

Elle prints an excerpt from Anna Wiener’s Uncanny Valley: dispatches from the front line of Silicon Valley sexism.

Jason Beaubien: with their land in flames, aboriginals warn fires show deeper problems in Australia. Indigenous land management practices could have mitigated the disaster. NPR

Graham Redfearn reports that the Australian bushfires have reached Kangaroo Island where several species of unique wildlife are threatened. The Guardian

Tim Sohn: how Tom Mustill became “The Whale Detective.” Outside online

Moon Child shares 33 photos of weird and rare flowers that look like something out of a fairy tale.

Ze Frank brings the awkward and hilarious with the mating dance of the ostrich.

Thank you for visiting and I hope you can take away something to inspire your next creative project. Or … maybe something amusing 🙂

Until next tipsday, be well, be kind, and stay strong. The world needs your stories.

ThoughtyThursday2019

Thoughty Thursday: Things that made me go hmmmm on the interwebz, Dec 29, 2019-Jan 4, 2020

/ Melanie Marttila

It’s time to get your mental corn popping.

Jamie Carter offers a skywatcher’s guide to 2020. Forbes

Caleb Scharf wonders if we’re alone in a crowded Milky Way. Scientific American

Joe explains the benefits of launching rockets from the moon. It’s okay to be smart

Physics Girl shares part three of her visit to CERN.

Shayla Love: how long is right now? Fave bit: physics says “right now” may be an illusion … that’s not to say we should all become chrono-nihilists … Vice

The MIT Technology Review considers how a virtual version of da Vinci’s glass orb helps explain its weirdness.

Mike Cannon-Brookes: how to harness imposter syndrome for the greater good. TED Talks

James Hamblin says, your bedroom is too hot. Get your mind out of the gutter! The Atlantic

Darryl Fears: on land, Australia’s rising heat is “apocalyptic.” In the ocean, it’s worse. The Washington Post

Thanks for stopping by. I hope something here inspires your next creative project.

Until tipsday, be well, be kind, and stay strong. The world needs your stories!

ThoughtyThursday2019

Thoughty Thursday: Things that made me go hmmmm on the interwebz, Dec 22-28, 2019

/ Melanie Marttila

Welcome to 2020!

Lots of videos today, but there’s still something in here that will pop your mental corn.

Veritasium looks into the science of resolutions (and why most of them fail).

The strange and unexpected reason ice is slippery. It’s okay to be smart

Nadia Drake reports that Betelgeuse is acting strangely, and astronomers think it might be going supernova. National Geographic

SciShow Space news shares their biggest, brightest, most (superlative) news of the year.

Matt O’Dowd answers the question, does life require a multiverse? PBS Space Time

Physics Girl considers how the large hadron collider (LHC) can help us identify dark matter.

Jessica Stewart shares Yaoyao Ma Van As’ heartwarming illustrations of the bond between a dog and their owner. My Modern Met

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you came away with something to inspire your next creative project.

Until the weekend (next chapter for December and year-end review), be well, be kind, and stay strong. The world needs your stories 🙂

ThoughtyThursday2019

Thoughty Thursday: Things that made me go hmmmm on the interwebz, Dec 15-21, 2019

/ Melanie Marttila

It’s Boxing Day! I got up early this morning to go shopping (my once annual spree) and am now ensconced for our family get together. Take some time to get your mental corn popping with these thought provoking (or just plain fun) links.

Juli Fraga wants to help you conquer your social anxiety over the holidays. NPR

Lisa Wood Shapiro recounts her quest for clean air. Wired

Andrea Romano explains how long you should take off work to feel productive again. Travel and Leisure

Matthew Gault: the best optical illusion of the year will mess with your head. Vice

Alexandra Ossola: can algae save the planet by changing the way we eat? Quartz

Jaymi Heimbuch shares macro photos of snowflakes that reveal impossibly perfect designs. Treehugger

PBS Space Time considers the validity of cosmological natural selection (i.e. that black holes create new universes).

The fuzzy origins of the giant panda. PBS Eons

Chris Baraniuk: corvids could be the smartest animals other than primates. BBC

Joshua Rapp Learn explains why birds sing to their eggs and how these songs might help their offspring survive climate change. Smithsonian Magazine

Find out all about Leonard, the mudskipper, with Ze Frank.

Thank you for taking time out of the holiday whirlwind to stop by and peruse the offerings.

Until next week, be well, be kind, and stay strong. The world needs your stories 🙂

ThoughtyThursday2019