LWON Anniversary Postcards: Day 5

We turned 10 this week, and instead of getting together for a gala, we wrote each other postcards, alone in our homes. It’s a very writerly way to celebrate. Thanks, pandemic. Today we wrap up our week-long celebration with postcards from Sarah, Jenny, and Cameron. Sarah Gilman Dear 2010 Sarah G.—            First, you’re going to […]

LWON Anniversary Postcards: Day 4

Yesterday we turned 10, which is like 120 in blog years. We’re celebrating all week with postcards we wrote to ourselves in May of 2010. Today Ann, Emma, and Cassie report back on the present to their younger selves, or at least offer a warning. Ann Finkbeiner In May, 2010, I was wondering whether the […]

LWON is 10 Today!

It’s our 10th anniversary! Today! We’re celebrating all week with postcards we wrote to our 10-years-younger selves. Today Jane, Heather, Jessa, and Ginny hint at good things to come. Jane C. Hu Dear 2010 Jane,Welcome to the west coast. You, an indoor cat, have come here purportedly to study cognition, but your time will become […]

LWON Anniversary Postcards: Day 2

May 20, 2020, is our anniversary, and we celebrated by writing postcards to ourselves in May 20, 2010. Today, Craig, Emily, and Helen reassure their 10-years-younger selves. And Sally…I wouldn’t call it reassuring exactly? Craig Childs You don’t want to know. You’d overthink it and plan inappropriately. Let it come.  You’re getting back from the […]

LWON turns 10! We wrote postcards.

Ten years ago, blogs were still new enough to be exciting. A small group of science writers thought they’d like to see what this blogging thing was about. On May 20, 2010, the Last Word on Nothing was born. Ten years later, the blogging landscape has changed. As has the world. A lot. But LWON […]

Bad homonyms, or, things not to say to a British person

Several years ago the Economist published a chart for American expats in the UK. It disambiguated what British people say from what Americans hear them say. For example, “you’re very brave” does not mean “I think you are brave” when a Brit says it. It is more likely to mean “you are insane.” I had […]