A random thread of absolute randomness...

dljbsp · January 31

Interesting legal decisions this week! In New Zealand, a mountain has been granted legal personhood, recognizing its cultural and environmental significance. Meanwhile, a court ruled that elephants do not qualify as legal “persons,” raising questions about animal rights and conservation. What do you think about these rulings?

🗻 Mountain granted legal personhood: https://news.sky.com/offbeat?utm_source=jwtalk.net

🐘 Court denies elephants legal personhood: https://news.sky.com/offbeat?utm_source=jwtalk.net

Edited January 31 by dljbsp

Tortuga · February 2

After years of suspecting there were hidden numbers and codes in the Mona Lisa painting, scientists have discovered that Leonardo Davinci had invented the first paint by number painting.

Edited February 2 by Tortuga

dljbsp · February 3

The sun exhibited increased activity, producing 12 M-class solar flares over the weekend. The largest was an M8.8 flare on February 2, causing a moderate radio blackout over Australia.

Katty · February 17

On 1/6/2025 at 11:04 PM, Cool.As.Ice said:

I’m wondering why the media makes such a big deal about the winter storms here in the US, and why people can’t drive? It’s like “hello, it’s January!”

I found the situation really frustrating when we stayed in Louisiana and it snowed. Yeah, it is really rare that snow stays on the ground there, but I wouldn't say it's more rare than, say, New Orleans getting a direct hit from a major hurricane (of course, then again, Katrina showed how ill prepared the city was for that as well.), so I don't get why there isn't more preparedness for it. I mean, some of the same supplies for hurricanes could be set aside in case of a snow storm. For instance, sand bags are usually laid out to prevent flooding. Whatever department supplies those could keep an extra supply of either the sand-bags or what fills them so that there's sand and grit to pour on the roads when it snows so that it's not as deadly. I mean, it's just as rare, here in Fleetwood to have snow stay on the ground, but people here seem to know what to do to help make the roads safer.

Yeah, part of it too, is people don't know how to drive safely in the snow. For some reason, drive SLOWLY, and if you need to break, GENTLY tap on the brake, seems to be a hard concept to follow in the deep south. It's not like the 4-wheel drive trucks with extra large tires that southerners are always opting for isn't one of the better things to drive in the snow. The weird irony is that southerners drive vehicles that can probably handle snow better than the little tin cans with wheels they drive here in Britain. All you need is to get their drivers to resist the urge to peel out of driveways and you've got it.

Edited February 17 by Katty

Ostria · February 19

So im doing some diamond paints while watching some older conventions (since i started learning about Jehovah in 2023, im watching what i missed). Because I'm not able to actually watch the video due to my laptop being on my table and my diamond painting far from it, im watching it using the audio descriptions (the option made for those whom are non hearing or hard of hearing), and yeah im thankful for that option even though its technically not for me lol. So maybe that can be an idea for yall in the future when you wanna watch video but you can't watch lol

daydream · February 20

On 2/18/2025 at 4:50 AM, Katty said:

to peel out of driveways

to peel out of the driveway means to start driving so fast that you leave the tire marks on the pavement and the driveway is the entrada to the garage

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a25350719/how-to-drive-in-winter-snow-safely/

Spoiler

The amazing thing about ABS systems is that you can keep the brake pedal fully depressed while steering around obstacles; the computer will adjust the braking force at each wheel to allow you to maneuver while simultaneously slowing down. So in an emergency, don't just jam on the brakes—keep steering!

No safety system can ensure you avoid all accidents, but anti-lock brakes undoubtedly have saved many drivers from disaster. Note: most ABS systems cause the brake pedal to shudder when they activate to let you know they're working, so don't lift off the brakes when you feel this vibration; it's perfectly normal.

Ostria · February 20

On 2/2/2025 at 10:35 AM, Tortuga said:

After years of suspecting there were hidden numbers and codes in the Mona Lisa painting, scientists have discovered that Leonardo Davinci had invented the first paint by number painting.

All that work and still cant paint eyebrows

Katty · February 20

7 hours ago, daydream said:

to peel out of the driveway means to start driving so fast that you leave the tire marks on the pavement and the driveway is the entrada to the garage

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a25350719/how-to-drive-in-winter-snow-safely/

Hide contents

The amazing thing about ABS systems is that you can keep the brake pedal fully depressed while steering around obstacles; the computer will adjust the braking force at each wheel to allow you to maneuver while simultaneously slowing down. So in an emergency, don't just jam on the brakes—keep steering!

No safety system can ensure you avoid all accidents, but anti-lock brakes undoubtedly have saved many drivers from disaster. Note: most ABS systems cause the brake pedal to shudder when they activate to let you know they're working, so don't lift off the brakes when you feel this vibration; it's perfectly normal.

Still not safe to do on ice though

pnutts · February 26

Cool.As.Ice · March 7

Butterflies are on the decline…

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/butterfly-populations-declining-us-science-study/

Ostria · March 7

7 hours ago, Cool.As.Ice said:

Butterflies are on the decline…

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/butterfly-populations-declining-米国-科学-study/

I think i've seen maybe two butterflies in the past five years. I remember seeing a bunch of them as a kid in the 90s, however i was also in a different state in the 90s so?

dljbsp · March 7

8 hours ago, Cool.As.Ice said:

Butterflies

47 minutes ago, Ostria said:

Butterflies

Recent reports highlight a troubling trend—butterfly populations across the United States have been in decline. Studies show a 22% decrease in butterfly abundance between 2000 and 2020, with habitat loss, pesticide use, and shifting climate conditions playing significant roles in this downturn.

Among them, the monarch butterfly has faced particular uncertainty. In July 2022, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified the migratory monarch as endangered. However, in 2023, after further review, its status was adjusted to “vulnerable.”

Even so, there are encouraging signs. This year, the number of monarch butterflies wintering in Mexico has doubled compared to 2024, now covering 4.4 acres instead of 2.2. Favorable climate conditions and increased moisture levels are credited with this improvement.

Edited March 7 by dljbsp

Cool.As.Ice · March 7

I have noticed a huge lack of monarchs in recent years. They used to be everywhere, it’s crazy how much the environment has changed…

pnutts · March 9

Monarch butterflies feed on milkweed which many people destroy.

Milkweed silk can be used in clothing as an insulator. Waste not want not. 🤑

Ostria · March 9

25 minutes ago, pnutts said:

Monarch butterflies feed on milkweed which many people destroy.

Milkweed silk can be used in clothing as an insulator. Waste not want not. 🤑

I rather have the butterflies than some darn insulator 😩