Innovation is one of those abilities we used to think only humans possessed. But you’ve probably heard about the creative problem solving of New Caledonian crows who are able to build tools by bedding wires to fish food out of holes. Captive orcas have been observed chewing up the dead fish they are fed and […]
Mind/Brain
I think about jumping spiders a lot. If you have had a conversation with me in the last several years that lasted more than 5 minutes, you already know this. But what are the spiders thinking? A friend once bought me a mug with a spider on it that reads “Sometimes I wonder if jumping […]
“Conquering death would be humanity’s greatest achievement…This will become the primary objective for the human race. I think it’s inevitable.” -Bryan Johnson, speaking to The Information in 2024 about his “Don’t Die” philosophy. “I’m a huge fan of death. I’m a groupie for death. I think it’s the metronome of our existence. And without rhythm, […]
If you ever have the opportunity, I highly recommend making a tiny friend. How tiny, you ask? I think it helps if your friend is big enough to be visible to you (though this isn’t strictly necessary) but small enough to be outside of the category of beings you would normally consider friend material. The […]
This is Diego. He is a Phidippus johnsoni jumping spider, and he lives on a jade plant in my front yard. There are several spiders of this species that can be found on the jade plant on any given day, but I know when it’s Diego I’ve spotted. Adult males of this species are around […]
This post ran back in 2018 and digging it up was another act unearthing oneself, something I end up doing when rummaging in my car, when I clean my desk. Our own lives are archaeology. Put a trowel in your hand and go through your past. Bounce ground penetrating radar through your heart. See what […]
There was a brief moment in my life when I thought it was obvious what an internal world model is. Self-evident, even! It’s the homunculus version of the cosmos as represented inside the confines of our skulls. Like this Emily Dickinson poem I found in one of Maria Popva’s always illuminating articles about consciousness: The […]
Item code: Partial transcriptDate: 20330503 05:06:35Source: NeoBrane 1.8 cortical interface ExoRAM®™ cacheNote: Data retrieval partial due to implant damage got it done last year because Noah told me it did multiple orgasms for men. Before that I had the Neuron.XI. Which was fine, but it didn’t do that. Actually they specifically said it was impossible, […]
