Science dudes! Ecological dynamics rap. Heaven.

=)

bb

music, biology, and earworms

So, GREATLY appreciated the recent blog post title by Hipster Birders, "Rock me, Ammodramus" about the sparrows they'd been seeking. SO much so that I had to comment. And got this in reply:

"We've been really wanting to see the Ammodramus sparrows since we've moved here,

and I've actually been singing that tune for weeks."

So, THAT brought up this topic: music, biologists, and earworms.

And reminded me of years ago, when I was being hounded by Hemizonia.

This is the genus of a common plant at my research partner's and my study site.

EVERY DAY, once that plant (tarweed) bloomed,

and I passed it on the way to our study site,

the Hemizonia record would start spinning ROUND and ROUND in my head

to this tune--substitute "Hemizonia" for "Paranoimia"

(specifically it's the singers that come in 1:25 into the video):

Made me wonder just how many of us, during whatever obsession (required or otherwise) we're enduring, have had songs adapted by our brains into something subject-relevant, then repeated again and again.

This was not something I TRIED to do.

I didn't search my mind for song lyrics and compare them to
the myriad biological terms I have in my brain.

It just happened.

Thankfully, I DO enjoy the above song.

Tho' what was in my head was mostly just those voices,
repeating Hemizonia, over and over. And over.

hee.

Well, I suppose that's just one of the dangers of knowledge.
You never know where it will take you.

Has this ever happened to you? Do tell. =)

And now, this biologist, must break away to dance in her kitchen.

=) bb

the wonder that is the human body: video demo

 
another inspiring view of what people can do with their body and imagination

Break ton Neck from Alex Yde on Vimeo.

xobb

Happy Birthday Les Paul, & Google is WAY too cool for school

  
You can go to www.google.com today and PLAY on the Google icon and RECORD your masterpiece and play it back!!!

I cannot believe how cool Google is for having this tribute in such a fun, inventive way. Much like Les (fun, inventive).

However, Les Paul was still cooler.

bb

P.S. I realize this is biology-free. However, LP is worthy of the attention. And, my first introduction to him was from a friend who put "Nice work if you can get it" onto a cassette mix for me, and we both worked for the NPS at the time, so it was v. appropriate.

frogs dig death cab...

 
Death Cab for Cuties is coming out of the speakers, the windows are open (it's in the 50s!), and a frog has started croaking happily. Apparently he's a fan.

=)

Sweet.

Probably, also, enjoying the lack of freezing temperatures and the sunshine.

As am I.

bb