Magpie Monday
Feb. 9th, 2026 11:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithdialecticdreamer is hosting Magpie Monday with a theme of "just a normal day." Leave prompts, get ficlets! ysabetwordsmithdialecticdreamer is hosting Magpie Monday with a theme of "just a normal day." Leave prompts, get ficlets! 
Economics
Feb. 9th, 2026 08:43 pmysabetwordsmithConsumers spend much more when making digital payments instead of using cash
The use of digital payments has led people to spend more than they do when using cash, according to survey evidence from more than 1,200 consumers.
The shift reframes everyday purchases as moments where restraint weakens quietly, long before shoppers notice any change in their budgets.
This is why one of the most effective ways to save money is to buy things with cash, and thus, one of the many reasons for protecting the use of cash.
The use of digital payments has led people to spend more than they do when using cash, according to survey evidence from more than 1,200 consumers.
The shift reframes everyday purchases as moments where restraint weakens quietly, long before shoppers notice any change in their budgets.
This is why one of the most effective ways to save money is to buy things with cash, and thus, one of the many reasons for protecting the use of cash.
Poem: "Libraries from the Ashes"
Feb. 9th, 2026 08:23 pmysabetwordsmithThis poem is spillover from the February 3, 2026 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by prompts from kengr, librarygeek, and (Anonymous) IP Address: (46.110.23.207). It also fills the "Take a Class" square in my 2-1-26 card for the Valentines Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by janetmiles. It belongs to the series Daughters of the Apocalypse.
( Read more... )
kengr, librarygeek, and (Anonymous) IP Address: (46.110.23.207). It also fills the "Take a Class" square in my 2-1-26 card for the Valentines Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by janetmiles. It belongs to the series Daughters of the Apocalypse.( Read more... )
Poem: "A Never Failing Spring"
Feb. 9th, 2026 05:56 pmysabetwordsmithThis poem is spillover from the February 3, 2026 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from readera. It also fills the "Do What You Love" square in my 2-1-26 card for the Valentines Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by janetmiles. It belongs to the Kraken thread of the Polychrome Heroics series. It follows "But an Empty Shell," "Beautiful, Damn Hard, Increasingly Useful," and "Filled with Things You Don't Know" ($49) so read at least the first two or this won't make as much sense.
( Read more... )
readera. It also fills the "Do What You Love" square in my 2-1-26 card for the Valentines Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by janetmiles. It belongs to the Kraken thread of the Polychrome Heroics series. It follows "But an Empty Shell," "Beautiful, Damn Hard, Increasingly Useful," and "Filled with Things You Don't Know" ($49) so read at least the first two or this won't make as much sense.( Read more... )
Birdfeeding
Feb. 9th, 2026 05:33 pmysabetwordsmithToday is partly cloudy and cold. Patches of snow remain, separated by stretches of bare muddy ground.
I fed the birds. I've seen a large flock of sparrows.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 2/9/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 2/9/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a large flock of sparrows.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 2/9/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 2/9/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I am done for the night.
Poem: "Books That Bite Back"
Feb. 9th, 2026 02:28 pmysabetwordsmithThis poem is spillover from the February 3, 2026 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired and sponsored by janetmiles. It also fills the "Respect Limits" square in my 2-1-26 card for the Valentines Bingo fest.
"Books That Bite Back"
Some books are easy reading,
while others really are not.
There are the vindaloo cookbooks
and the guides to growing hot peppers.
There are the essays about ethics
and the history books written by losers.
There are the comparative religion texts
and the papers on quantum mechanics.
Just like food that commands respect,
there are books that bite back.
janetmiles. It also fills the "Respect Limits" square in my 2-1-26 card for the Valentines Bingo fest."Books That Bite Back"
Some books are easy reading,
while others really are not.
There are the vindaloo cookbooks
and the guides to growing hot peppers.
There are the essays about ethics
and the history books written by losers.
There are the comparative religion texts
and the papers on quantum mechanics.
Just like food that commands respect,
there are books that bite back.
Monday Update 2-9-26
Feb. 9th, 2026 01:04 amysabetwordsmithThese are some posts from the later part of last week in case you missed them:
Buffalo Seed Company Order
Science
Birdfeeding
Website Updates
Early Humans
Birdfeeding
Philosophical Questions: Pregnancy
Artificial Intelligence
Birdfeeding
Website Updates
"An Inkling of Things to Come" is now complete!
Follow Friday 2-6-26: London
Economics
Food
Birdfeeding
Community Thursdays
Wildlife
Birdfeeding
Cuddle Party
Safety has 43 comments. Food has 44 comments. Wildlife has 36 comments. Food has 64 comments. Robotics has 135 comments.
Last week's Poetry Fishbowl went well. I am still writing.
The 2026 Rose and Bay Awards are now open for excellence in crowdfunding. It's time to vote for your favorite projects!
The award period for eligible activities spans January 1-December 31, 2025.
The nomination period spans January 1-January 31, 2026.
The voting period spans February 1-February 28, 2026.
These are the handlers for the 2026 award season:
"An Inkling of Things to Come" is now complete. Shiv and his classmates finish their first worldbuilding session.
The weather has been frigid here, but is slightly less cold than it was. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a large flock of sparrows, one female and three male cardinals, and a starling.
Buffalo Seed Company Order
Science
Birdfeeding
Website Updates
Early Humans
Birdfeeding
Philosophical Questions: Pregnancy
Artificial Intelligence
Birdfeeding
Website Updates
"An Inkling of Things to Come" is now complete!
Follow Friday 2-6-26: London
Economics
Food
Birdfeeding
Community Thursdays
Wildlife
Birdfeeding
Cuddle Party
Safety has 43 comments. Food has 44 comments. Wildlife has 36 comments. Food has 64 comments. Robotics has 135 comments.
Last week's Poetry Fishbowl went well. I am still writing.
The 2026 Rose and Bay Awards are now open for excellence in crowdfunding. It's time to vote for your favorite projects!
The award period for eligible activities spans January 1-December 31, 2025.
The nomination period spans January 1-January 31, 2026.
The voting period spans February 1-February 28, 2026.
These are the handlers for the 2026 award season:
Art:
Fiction:
Poetry:
Webcomic:
Other Project:
Patron:
"An Inkling of Things to Come" is now complete. Shiv and his classmates finish their first worldbuilding session.
The weather has been frigid here, but is slightly less cold than it was. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a large flock of sparrows, one female and three male cardinals, and a starling.
Buffalo Seed Company Order
Feb. 8th, 2026 07:25 pmysabetwordsmith... arrived today! :D They always send a surprise extra packet of something, this time 'Evening Sun' sunflower, which looks to be a cultivar that produces medium-size flowers in shades of red. That ought to be fun.
Science
Feb. 8th, 2026 02:33 pmysabetwordsmithEarth still had seasons during its longest deep freeze
A planet locked in ice can still experience seasons, climate swings, and solar rhythms, according to new research. For decades, scientists pictured Snowball Earth as a long pause in climate history, with movement and change frozen in place.
A planet locked in ice can still experience seasons, climate swings, and solar rhythms, according to new research. For decades, scientists pictured Snowball Earth as a long pause in climate history, with movement and change frozen in place.
Birdfeeding
Feb. 8th, 2026 02:23 pmysabetwordsmithToday is sunny and chilly. Large patches of ground are visible, but there are still large patches of snow too.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 2/8/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I've seen a flocks of sparrows. I heard a cardinal but didn't see it.
EDIT 2/8/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I saw a male cardinal.
I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 2/8/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I've seen a flocks of sparrows. I heard a cardinal but didn't see it.
EDIT 2/8/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I saw a male cardinal.
I am done for the night.
Website Updates
Feb. 7th, 2026 06:09 pmysabetwordsmithThanks to fuzzyred, the series Peculiar Obligations now has its own landing page. This series features Quakers and organized crime, particularly with pirate allies.
fuzzyred, the series Peculiar Obligations now has its own landing page. This series features Quakers and organized crime, particularly with pirate allies.
Early Humans
Feb. 7th, 2026 02:51 pmysabetwordsmithThese 773,000-year-old fossils may reveal our shared human ancestor
Exceptionally well-dated fossils from Morocco capture a moment nearly 800,000 years ago, right at a major turning point in Earth’s magnetic history.
Fossils from a Moroccan cave have been dated with remarkable accuracy to about 773,000 years ago, thanks to a magnetic signature locked into the surrounding sediments. The hominin remains show a blend of ancient and more modern features, placing them near a pivotal branching point in human evolution. These individuals likely represent an African population close to the last common ancestor of Homo sapiens, Neandertals, and Denisovans.
Exceptionally well-dated fossils from Morocco capture a moment nearly 800,000 years ago, right at a major turning point in Earth’s magnetic history.
Fossils from a Moroccan cave have been dated with remarkable accuracy to about 773,000 years ago, thanks to a magnetic signature locked into the surrounding sediments. The hominin remains show a blend of ancient and more modern features, placing them near a pivotal branching point in human evolution. These individuals likely represent an African population close to the last common ancestor of Homo sapiens, Neandertals, and Denisovans.
Birdfeeding
Feb. 7th, 2026 02:46 pmysabetwordsmithToday is sunny and cold. Much of the snow has melted.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 2/7/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I refilled the hopper feeder.
I've seen a female cardinal.
EDIT 2/7/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
There were two cardinals in the forest garden, but it was hard to tell colors at dusk.
I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 2/7/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I refilled the hopper feeder.
I've seen a female cardinal.
EDIT 2/7/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
There were two cardinals in the forest garden, but it was hard to tell colors at dusk.
I am done for the night.
Philosophical Questions: Pregnancy
Feb. 7th, 2026 03:24 amysabetwordsmithPeople have expressed interest in deep topics, so this list focuses on philosophical questions.
How would society change if men were able to get pregnant and men and women both had an equal chance of getting pregnant?
Abortion and birth control would be free and legal everywhere. Family leave would be generous. Childcare would be free. It would be a lot better all around.
How would society change if men were able to get pregnant and men and women both had an equal chance of getting pregnant?
Abortion and birth control would be free and legal everywhere. Family leave would be generous. Childcare would be free. It would be a lot better all around.
Artificial Intelligence
Feb. 6th, 2026 11:08 pmysabetwordsmith"Is AI more important than climate?"
When the BBC recently asked Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai whether the build-out of AI is more important than climate, the question briefly cut through the hype that usually surrounds the AI boom. Pichai acknowledged that AI is dramatically increasing energy in ways current systems “can’t fully cope.”
Another way in which humanity is too stupid to stop sawing off the branch we're all standing on.
AI is not more important than the climate, it is just the latest threat to the climate. AI is a massive energy hog that we cannot afford at a time when we need to be cutting emissions as fast as possible. The most effective way to do that is to use less energy. AI is the opposite of helpful in this regard.
( Read more... )
When the BBC recently asked Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai whether the build-out of AI is more important than climate, the question briefly cut through the hype that usually surrounds the AI boom. Pichai acknowledged that AI is dramatically increasing energy in ways current systems “can’t fully cope.”
Another way in which humanity is too stupid to stop sawing off the branch we're all standing on.
AI is not more important than the climate, it is just the latest threat to the climate. AI is a massive energy hog that we cannot afford at a time when we need to be cutting emissions as fast as possible. The most effective way to do that is to use less energy. AI is the opposite of helpful in this regard.
( Read more... )
Birdfeeding
Feb. 6th, 2026 09:30 pmysabetwordsmithToday is cloudy and cold. The snow is melting in patches.
I fed the birds. I've seen a large flock of sparrows, a pair of cardinals, and a starling.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 2/6/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 2/6/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a large flock of sparrows, a pair of cardinals, and a starling.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 2/6/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 2/6/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I am done for the night.
Website Updates
Feb. 6th, 2026 09:26 pmysabetwordsmithThanks to fuzzyred, the Iron Horses page is now up! Go check out this thread to see if you've missed any poems.
fuzzyred, the Iron Horses page is now up! Go check out this thread to see if you've missed any poems."An Inkling of Things to Come" is now complete!
Feb. 6th, 2026 08:38 pmysabetwordsmithThanks to a donation from fuzzyred, you can now read the rest of "An Inkling of Things to Come." Shiv and his classmates finish up their first session of worldbuilding.
fuzzyred, you can now read the rest of "An Inkling of Things to Come." Shiv and his classmates finish up their first session of worldbuilding. Economics
Feb. 5th, 2026 08:44 pmysabetwordsmithThe Impact Fee Illusion
Why “growth paying for growth” often leaves cities weaker, not stronger.
The public discussion usually starts something like this: a new development brings new residents, more traffic, and greater demand for public services. Roads, schools, pipes, and parks don’t build themselves. Someone has to pay for them. Asking growth to pay for growth sounds fair. It sounds prudent. And yet, many cities that rely heavily on impact fees still find themselves financially fragile. They struggle to maintain infrastructure, stretch operations thin, and quietly drift toward insolvency.
( Read more... )
Why “growth paying for growth” often leaves cities weaker, not stronger.
The public discussion usually starts something like this: a new development brings new residents, more traffic, and greater demand for public services. Roads, schools, pipes, and parks don’t build themselves. Someone has to pay for them. Asking growth to pay for growth sounds fair. It sounds prudent. And yet, many cities that rely heavily on impact fees still find themselves financially fragile. They struggle to maintain infrastructure, stretch operations thin, and quietly drift toward insolvency.
( Read more... )