ysabetwordsmith (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-10 04:05 am
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-10 04:05 am
Entry tags:
Roadside America
Roadside America lists a lot of quirky attractions. Here's the list for Illinois.
fred_mouse (fred_mouse) wrote2025-07-10 03:53 pm
fred_mouse) wrote2025-07-10 03:53 pmEntry tags:
Books with genAI?
For Reasons, I'm looking for fiction books--preference for kids, but any age will do--with anything that looks a bit like generative AI. Chatbots in particular would be a win. I've been doing a fascinating dive into the librarything tag cloud*. Note that at this point it doesn't have to be a well written or readable book
adding: I'll take recommendations for artificial general intelligence as well; I'll care about the line between them later, when I've used them to generate the relevant keywords
What I've found so far
- Do You Remember Being Born - Sean Michaels
- Artificial: A love Story - Amy Kurzweil
- The Future Happens Twice Trilogy - Matt Browne
- We Solve Murders - Richard Osman (I didn't see why in the blurb, but the tag was there, and the library has it)
- Tell the Machine Goodnight - Katie Williams
Not found, but remembered: "Better Living Through Algorithms" by Naomi Kritzer, which is questionable because it is probably meant to be artificial general intelligence rather than generative AI, but at this point I'm not being that picky because the hit rate is so low.
also! the closest I've got at this point in kids books is Wild Robot and the sequels; failing to work out where to find more. (in english. I've found a book that looks perfect in Chinese)
*so thankful that people put all sorts of tags on their books; I'm having a great time working out what maps to what tag. If I get it together I'll write a post off the clock about what I found that was truly batshit
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-09 03:03 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-09 03:03 pm
Activism
Scientists host 'science fair of canceled grants' on Capitol Hill to fight funding cuts
The researchers gathered, alongside the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to present posters in a good, old-fashioned science fair, titled “The Things We’ll Never Know: A Science Fair of Canceled Grants.”
It's a great tactic, and one that other fields could use too. "Here are some useful things you could have had, but these specific people took them away from you." That's guaranteed to piss off a lot of people.
It's also among the standard protest techniques in Terramagne. Not only is it sound activism for pounding the perpetrators, it also has a pretty good chance of someone else deciding to sponsor your canceled project if they like your pitch. Feel free to prompt me for that.
The researchers gathered, alongside the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to present posters in a good, old-fashioned science fair, titled “The Things We’ll Never Know: A Science Fair of Canceled Grants.”
It's a great tactic, and one that other fields could use too. "Here are some useful things you could have had, but these specific people took them away from you." That's guaranteed to piss off a lot of people.
It's also among the standard protest techniques in Terramagne. Not only is it sound activism for pounding the perpetrators, it also has a pretty good chance of someone else deciding to sponsor your canceled project if they like your pitch. Feel free to prompt me for that.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-09 03:01 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-09 03:01 pm
Entry tags:
Cuddle Party
Everyone needs contact comfort sometimes. Not everyone has ample opportunities for this in facetime. So here is a chance for a cuddle party in cyberspace. Virtual cuddling can help people feel better.
We have a cuddle room that comes with fort cushions, fort frames, sheets for draping, and a weighted blanket. A nest full of colorful egg pillows sits in one corner. There is a basket of grooming brushes, hairbrushes, and styling combs. A bin holds textured pillows. There is a big basket of craft supplies along with art markers, coloring pages, and blank paper. The kitchen has a popcorn machine. Labels are available to mark dietary needs, recipe ingredients, and level of spiciness. Here is the bathroom, open to everyone. There is a lawn tent and an outdoor hot tub. Bathers should post a sign for nude or clothed activity. Come snuggle up!
We have a cuddle room that comes with fort cushions, fort frames, sheets for draping, and a weighted blanket. A nest full of colorful egg pillows sits in one corner. There is a basket of grooming brushes, hairbrushes, and styling combs. A bin holds textured pillows. There is a big basket of craft supplies along with art markers, coloring pages, and blank paper. The kitchen has a popcorn machine. Labels are available to mark dietary needs, recipe ingredients, and level of spiciness. Here is the bathroom, open to everyone. There is a lawn tent and an outdoor hot tub. Bathers should post a sign for nude or clothed activity. Come snuggle up!
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-09 02:38 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-09 02:38 pmBirdfeeding
Today is mostly sunny, humid, and hot. Yesterday it rained for half the day and into the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches. They've drained half the thistle feeder but I still need to refill that one.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 7/9/25 -- I filled the thistle feeder.
I've seen a male cardinal and a fox squirrel.
EDIT 7/9/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 7/9/25 -- I sprayed weedkiller on poison ivy around the yard.
EDIT 7/9/25 -- I potted up two apricot seeds.
.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches. They've drained half the thistle feeder but I still need to refill that one.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 7/9/25 -- I filled the thistle feeder.
I've seen a male cardinal and a fox squirrel.
EDIT 7/9/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 7/9/25 -- I sprayed weedkiller on poison ivy around the yard.
EDIT 7/9/25 -- I potted up two apricot seeds.
.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-09 12:44 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-09 12:44 pmEntry tags:
Sunshine Revival Challenge 3: Food
Sunshine Revival Challenge 3: Food
Journaling prompt: What are your favorite summer-associated foods?
Creative prompt: Draw art of or make graphics of summer foods, or post your favorite summer recipes. Post your answer to today’s challenge in your own space and leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.
This is actually from 7/7/25 but it wasn't up when I checked, and then the net was down.
( Read more... )
Journaling prompt: What are your favorite summer-associated foods?
Creative prompt: Draw art of or make graphics of summer foods, or post your favorite summer recipes. Post your answer to today’s challenge in your own space and leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.
This is actually from 7/7/25 but it wasn't up when I checked, and then the net was down.
( Read more... )
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-08 12:51 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-08 12:51 pmEntry tags:
Birdfeeding
Today is mostly sunny and warm.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 7/8/25 -- It rained for about half the day and into the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 7/8/25 -- It rained for about half the day and into the night.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-07 04:48 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-07 04:48 pmEntry tags:
Poem: "Tomato Seedlings in Tin Cans"
This poem is spillover from the June 3, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from wyld_dandelyon. It also fills the "growth" square in my 6-2-25 card for the Pride Fest bingo. This poem has been sponsored by Anthony Barrette. It belongs to the series Daughters of the Apocalypse.
( Read more... )
wyld_dandelyon. It also fills the "growth" square in my 6-2-25 card for the Pride Fest bingo. This poem has been sponsored by Anthony Barrette. It belongs to the series Daughters of the Apocalypse.( Read more... )
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-07 03:11 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-07 03:11 pmBee Food Flowers
Scientists’ top 10 bee-magnet blooms—turn any lawn into a pollinator paradise
Botanists from the University of Copenhagen and the UK set out to find the best flower combinations for bees and hoverflies.
Danish and Welsh botanists sifted through 400 studies, field-tested seed mixes, and uncovered a lineup of native and exotic blooms that both thrill human eyes and lure bees and hoverflies in droves, offering ready-made recipes for transforming lawns, parks, and patios into vibrant pollinator hotspots.
Below are the plants recommended for European and United Kingdom uses...
( Read more... )
Botanists from the University of Copenhagen and the UK set out to find the best flower combinations for bees and hoverflies.
Danish and Welsh botanists sifted through 400 studies, field-tested seed mixes, and uncovered a lineup of native and exotic blooms that both thrill human eyes and lure bees and hoverflies in droves, offering ready-made recipes for transforming lawns, parks, and patios into vibrant pollinator hotspots.
Below are the plants recommended for European and United Kingdom uses...
( Read more... )
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-07 02:10 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-07 02:10 pmMonday Update 7-7-25
These are some posts from the later part of last week in case you missed them:
Poem: "An Interest in the Affairs of Your Government"
Poem: "Incompetence, Sloppy Thinking, and Laziness"
Poem: "Always Surprised by Consequences"
Poem: "No Such Thing as Finished"
Geology
Birdfeeding
Today's Smoothie
Early Humans
Birdfeeding
Philosophical Questions: Government
Fireworks
Writing About Fireworks
Birdfeeding
Follow Friday 7-4-25: Historical Fiction
Blazing the Trail: Celebrating Indigenous Fire Stewardship
Birdfeeding
Climate Change
Birdfeeding
Problem-Solving
Hard Things
"Philosophical Questions: Looks" has 41 comments. "Not a Destination, But a Process" has 146 comments. "The Democratic Armada of the Caribbean" has 95 comments.
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
sunshine_revival is running through July. See the schedule, meet the moderators, and use the master post to navigate the event. Meet new folks in the friending meme. Spread the word!
* Sunshine Revival Challenge 1: Light
Poem: "The Pleasure of Escaping the Responsibility"
* Sunshine Revival Challenge 2: Tunnel of Love
Poem: "Legs of Grass, Feet of Flowers"
summerofthe69 is now open! You can see the calendar here and the current themes are Tetris 69 and Body Worship 69.
"In the Heart of the Hidden Garden" is now complete! Lawrence shows Stan more of his favorite places.
The weather has been variable here. It rained yesterday and last night. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a pair of mourning doves, a male cardinal, a gray catbird, a fox squirrel, a skunk, and at least 1 probably 2 bats. Currently blooming: dandelions, pansies, violas, marigolds, petunias, red salvia, wild strawberries, verbena, lantana, sweet alyssum, zinnias, snapdragons, blue lobelia, perennial pinks, impatiens, oxalis, moss rose, yarrow, anise hyssop, firecracker plant, tomatoes, tomatillos, Asiatic lilies, cucumber, snowball bush, yellow squash, zucchini, morning glory, purple echinacea, narrow-leaf mountain mint, black-eyed Susan, yellow coneflower, wild bergamot, chicory, Queen Anne's lace, sunflowers, cup plant. Daylilies are done blooming. Cucumbers, tomatillo, and pepper have green fruit. The first 'Chocolate Sprinkles' tomato ripened and some other tomatoes are showing color. Wild strawberries, mulberries, peas, and blackberries are ripe. Black raspberries are done.
Poem: "An Interest in the Affairs of Your Government"
Poem: "Incompetence, Sloppy Thinking, and Laziness"
Poem: "Always Surprised by Consequences"
Poem: "No Such Thing as Finished"
Geology
Birdfeeding
Today's Smoothie
Early Humans
Birdfeeding
Philosophical Questions: Government
Fireworks
Writing About Fireworks
Birdfeeding
Follow Friday 7-4-25: Historical Fiction
Blazing the Trail: Celebrating Indigenous Fire Stewardship
Birdfeeding
Climate Change
Birdfeeding
Problem-Solving
Hard Things
"Philosophical Questions: Looks" has 41 comments. "Not a Destination, But a Process" has 146 comments. "The Democratic Armada of the Caribbean" has 95 comments.
sunshine_revival is running through July. See the schedule, meet the moderators, and use the master post to navigate the event. Meet new folks in the friending meme. Spread the word!* Sunshine Revival Challenge 1: Light
Poem: "The Pleasure of Escaping the Responsibility"
* Sunshine Revival Challenge 2: Tunnel of Love
Poem: "Legs of Grass, Feet of Flowers"
summerofthe69 is now open! You can see the calendar here and the current themes are Tetris 69 and Body Worship 69."In the Heart of the Hidden Garden" is now complete! Lawrence shows Stan more of his favorite places.
The weather has been variable here. It rained yesterday and last night. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a pair of mourning doves, a male cardinal, a gray catbird, a fox squirrel, a skunk, and at least 1 probably 2 bats. Currently blooming: dandelions, pansies, violas, marigolds, petunias, red salvia, wild strawberries, verbena, lantana, sweet alyssum, zinnias, snapdragons, blue lobelia, perennial pinks, impatiens, oxalis, moss rose, yarrow, anise hyssop, firecracker plant, tomatoes, tomatillos, Asiatic lilies, cucumber, snowball bush, yellow squash, zucchini, morning glory, purple echinacea, narrow-leaf mountain mint, black-eyed Susan, yellow coneflower, wild bergamot, chicory, Queen Anne's lace, sunflowers, cup plant. Daylilies are done blooming. Cucumbers, tomatillo, and pepper have green fruit. The first 'Chocolate Sprinkles' tomato ripened and some other tomatoes are showing color. Wild strawberries, mulberries, peas, and blackberries are ripe. Black raspberries are done.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-07 01:59 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-07 01:59 pmBirdfeeding
Today is partly sunny and warm. It rained yesterday and last night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a male cardinal, and at least one mourning dove.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 7/7/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 7/7/25 -- I harvested a handful of peapods for supper. :D
EDIT 7/7/25 -- I took some pictures around the yard.
EDIT 7/7/25 -- I trimmed brush in the prairie garden.
The first of the gladioli are blooming in the telephone pole garden and notch of the prairie garden. A sunflower is blooming in the telephone pole garden too.
EDIT 7/7/25 -- I cut some of the brush into sticks for making bonfire cores.
I've seen at least 2 bats. I've seen several half-grown possums, one deceased, two alive.
Fireflies are coming out. Cicadas are singing.
As it is now dark, I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a male cardinal, and at least one mourning dove.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 7/7/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 7/7/25 -- I harvested a handful of peapods for supper. :D
EDIT 7/7/25 -- I took some pictures around the yard.
EDIT 7/7/25 -- I trimmed brush in the prairie garden.
The first of the gladioli are blooming in the telephone pole garden and notch of the prairie garden. A sunflower is blooming in the telephone pole garden too.
EDIT 7/7/25 -- I cut some of the brush into sticks for making bonfire cores.
I've seen at least 2 bats. I've seen several half-grown possums, one deceased, two alive.
Fireflies are coming out. Cicadas are singing.
As it is now dark, I am done for the night.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-06 11:15 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-06 11:15 pm
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-06 10:49 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-06 10:49 pmPoem: "An Interest in the Affairs of Your Government"
This poem is spillover from the March 4, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from wyld_dandelyon. It also fills the "Secrets" square in my 3-1-25 card for the Tolkien Bingo Fest. This poem has been sponsored by Anthony Barrette. It belongs to the series Polychrome Heroics.
( Read more... )
wyld_dandelyon. It also fills the "Secrets" square in my 3-1-25 card for the Tolkien Bingo Fest. This poem has been sponsored by Anthony Barrette. It belongs to the series Polychrome Heroics.( Read more... )
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-06 10:20 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-06 10:20 pmEntry tags:
Poem: "Incompetence, Sloppy Thinking, and Laziness"
This poem came out of the July 1, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired and sponsored by janetmiles. It also fills the "close-knit community" square in my 7-1-25 card for the Western Bingo fest. It belongs to the series Frankenstein's Family; it follows "Signs of Their Trespass," so read that first or this won't make much sense.
( Read more... )
janetmiles. It also fills the "close-knit community" square in my 7-1-25 card for the Western Bingo fest. It belongs to the series Frankenstein's Family; it follows "Signs of Their Trespass," so read that first or this won't make much sense.( Read more... )
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-06 10:10 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-06 10:10 pm
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-06 10:05 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-06 10:05 pmPoem: "Always Surprised by Consequences"
This poem came out of the July 1, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from rix_scaedu. It also fills "The Harder They Fall" square in my 7-1-25 card for the Western Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by janetmiles. It belongs to the series Polychrome Heroics.
( Read more... )
rix_scaedu. It also fills "The Harder They Fall" square in my 7-1-25 card for the Western Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by janetmiles. It belongs to the series Polychrome Heroics.( Read more... )
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-06 06:18 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-06 06:18 pmPoem: "No Such Thing as Finished"
This poem is spillover from the July 1, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from jake67jake. It also fills the "He's all hat and no cattle." square in my 7-1-25 card for the Western Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by janetmiles. It belongs to the series Polychrome Heroics.
( Read more... )
jake67jake. It also fills the "He's all hat and no cattle." square in my 7-1-25 card for the Western Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by janetmiles. It belongs to the series Polychrome Heroics.( Read more... )
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-06 04:15 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-06 04:15 pmGeology
Defying physics: This rare crystal cools itself using pure magnetism
Research team identifies atacamite as a magnetocaloric material.
Deep in Chile’s Atacama Desert, scientists studied a green crystal called atacamite—and discovered it can cool itself dramatically when placed in a magnetic field. Unlike a regular fridge, this effect doesn’t rely on gases or compressors. Instead, it’s tied to the crystal’s unusual inner structure, where tiny magnetic forces get tangled in a kind of “frustration.” When those tangled forces are disrupted by magnetism, the crystal suddenly drops in temperature. It’s a strange, natural trick that could someday help us build greener, more efficient ways to cool things.
Research team identifies atacamite as a magnetocaloric material.
Deep in Chile’s Atacama Desert, scientists studied a green crystal called atacamite—and discovered it can cool itself dramatically when placed in a magnetic field. Unlike a regular fridge, this effect doesn’t rely on gases or compressors. Instead, it’s tied to the crystal’s unusual inner structure, where tiny magnetic forces get tangled in a kind of “frustration.” When those tangled forces are disrupted by magnetism, the crystal suddenly drops in temperature. It’s a strange, natural trick that could someday help us build greener, more efficient ways to cool things.