A weird, whimsical game is hiding in the bookshelves at Los Angeles Public Library LA Times: "Imagine that your local public library is inhabited by an undiscovered race of tiny people. They’ve hidden themselves in the racks, tucked behind books and magazines, amidst history and fiction, new media and old."
posted to MetaFilter by jenfullmoon at 7:38 AM on August 9, 2024 (9 comments)

I just watched the first round of Olympic B-girls breaking and I am already obsessed. Knowledgeable mefites, what specific performances and videos should I watch if I want to see B-girls at the top of their game? What are the greatest hits?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by capricorn at 10:59 AM on August 9, 2024 (2 comments)

I'm looking for recommendations for conversational history podcasts, meaning where people talk conversationally and not read from a script. Stuff that has the format of Blowback.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by MisantropicPainforest at 7:09 AM on August 8, 2024 (14 comments)

I’ve had tennis elbow all summer. Can anyone recommend specific stretches or exercises? Do I need to see a PT or a masseuse or acupuncturist or chiropractor? My PCP seemed confident that it will go away on its own eventually, but I am getting impatient.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Kriesa at 3:12 AM on August 6, 2024 (10 comments)

I've been blessed to own, up until now, dogs that spoke fluent Dog and were well behaved, had good boundaries, and were non-confrontational. In January, I adopted a little shy gal. We worked hard on making her strong and brave and good! And then a random dog came through the yard and attacked her. Since then shes been very dog-reactive. Please help me with advice. More under the fold.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Grandysaur at 5:04 PM on August 5, 2024 (9 comments)

Looking for English Fiction Audiobooks of 20th-century and later books - where resonant voiced readers - classically trained (voice) actors - really bring the story alive.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by lalochezia at 7:24 AM on August 3, 2024 (24 comments)

a miniature renaissance is upon us. “There’s an explosion of popularity around miniatures these days; it has emerged as this pop culture phenomenon" [AD]
posted to MetaFilter by HearHere at 6:25 AM on August 1, 2024 (37 comments)

"Prof Birch’s team found that there was strong evidence that these creatures were sentient in that they could experience feelings of pain, pleasure, thirst, hunger, warmth, joy, comfort and excitement. The conclusions led to the government including these creatures into its Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act in 2022."
posted to MetaFilter by cupcakeninja at 4:48 AM on July 23, 2024 (21 comments)

I am looking for engaging sci-fi, fantasy, romance (especially if combined with one of the others), or similar books that are generally positive in tone/ending. Some bad things can happen, but I want to feel much more happy than sad or mad once I'm finished. Some example authors are T. Kingfisher, Ilona Andrews, Malka Ann Older, and Martha Wells.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by unus sum at 5:02 PM on July 19, 2024 (31 comments)

Jumping off this Fediverse thread: what is the best book you've read that very few other people have even heard of? All genres and languages welcome, fiction and nonfiction. Would definitely appreciate a quick description and a thought or two on what makes it so great.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by brainwane at 5:29 AM on July 17, 2024 (106 comments)

At the age of 43 it's starting to become apparent to me that I have some pretty incorrect internal beliefs about myself. Trouble is that I don't know how to spot them. I'm in therapy at the moment, which is great, but it's dealing with other things — this feels like I need to reprogram myself and I don't really know how.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by gmb at 8:31 AM on July 17, 2024 (18 comments)

From τὰ φυσικά (ta physika) to physics – In popular histories of science in Europe the history of physics is all too often presented roughly as follows, in antiquity there was Aristotle, whose writings also dominated the Middle Ages, until Galileo came along and dethroned him, following which Newton created modern physics ... In this [series] of blog posts, I shall be taking a much more detailed look at how modern physics emerged during the early modern period and the scholars who were behind that emergence...
posted to MetaFilter by Wolfdog at 5:48 AM on July 17, 2024 (4 comments)

100 Best Books of the 21st Century. (NYT gift link) As voted on by 503 novelists, nonfiction writers, poets, critics and other book lovers: the Top Ten Lists. (NYT gift link)
posted to MetaFilter by betweenthebars at 2:40 PM on July 12, 2024 (81 comments)

This Is The First Animal Ever Found That Doesn't Need Oxygen to Survive. In 2020, scientists discovered a jellyfish-like parasite that doesn't have a mitochondrial genome – the first multicellular organism ever found with such an absence. That means it doesn't breathe; in fact, it lives its life completely free of oxygen dependency.
posted to MetaFilter by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 8:40 PM on July 5, 2024 (13 comments)

There are challenging, mystifying, weird-ass books being published all the time. To be fair, a weird-ass, mystifying, challenging book isn’t inherently a good book, or a book you want to spend your finite reading time on. We only get to read so many books in a month, or a year, or a life. There is value in escapism and familiarity and comfort. But I still want to advocate for sometimes, at least sometimes, going out on a limb, out on a genre vacation, or just out into the wilds of a tale you don’t feel like you entirely understand. from The Joy of Reading Books You Don’t Entirely Understand by Molly Templeton
posted to MetaFilter by chavenet at 2:00 PM on July 3, 2024 (24 comments)

What activity, or thing lifts your spirits instantly?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Czjewel at 1:14 PM on July 2, 2024 (37 comments)

The land, water and air around us are chock-full of DNA from fungi that scientists can’t identify. Like dark matter, these organisms are hidden, connected with no known species—or organism. It's not just fungi; microbial dark matter makes up as much as 99% of microorganisms currently can't be cultured and studied.
posted to MetaFilter by criticalyeast at 8:39 AM on June 29, 2024 (20 comments)

The Big Internet Math-Off 2024, Round 1, Match 1 – Here’s the first match in this year’s Big Internet Math-Off. Today, we’re pitting Katie Steckles against Benjamin Dickman. Take a look at both pitches, vote for the bit of maths that made you do the loudest “Aha!”, and if you know any more cool facts about either of the topics presented here, please write a comment below! Overview of the 2024 edition.
posted to MetaFilter by Wolfdog at 3:35 AM on July 1, 2024 (7 comments)

Recommendationfilter: nonfiction to read for pleasure, where the information is (reasonably) accurate.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by reventlov at 6:45 PM on June 30, 2024 (45 comments)

comment "LinkMe:" followed by the link and maybe a one sentence description for context. Everybody has tacit permission to turn your link into an FPP if they'd like, first come first serve, with a nod back to the original LinkFilter comment. Previously…
posted to MetaFilter by CMcG at 1:23 PM on June 24, 2024 (40 comments)

"Contrary to long-held assumptions, Earth’s interior is not barren. In fact, a majority of the planet’s microbes, perhaps more than 90 percent, may live deep underground. These intraterrestrial microbes tend to be quite different from their counterparts on the surface. They are ancient and slow, reproducing infrequently and possibly living for millions of years. [...] Subsurface microbes carve vast caverns, concentrate minerals and precious metals and regulate the global cycling of carbon and nutrients. Microbes may even have helped construct the continents, literally laying the groundwork for all other terrestrial life." The Mysterious, Deep-Dwelling Microbes That Sculpt Our Planet, an excerpt from Becoming Earth, by Ferris Jabr.
posted to MetaFilter by mittens at 3:56 PM on June 24, 2024 (13 comments)

Half-frame cameras have been around for long time, early examples date back to 1915; half-frame cameras allowed two photos in a standard 35mm frame - you traded a little fidelity and sharpness for more photos on a roll of film (72 photos on a typical 36 exposure roll) and a more compact camera. Arguably, half-frame cameras peaked with the Olympus Pen F line in the late 60's/early 70's, packing a lot of mechanical clock-work beauty into a small interchangeable lens camera package that still has a fan-base today (just look at that engraved gothic 'F'!) Once considered a film-format blip (although not as blippy as some), half-frame is now back in the photography news in 2024 as Ricoh/Pentax release a new film-camera; the first announced by a major brand in almost two decades, and it is a half-frame camera - the Pentax 17.
posted to MetaFilter by phigmov at 10:04 PM on June 20, 2024 (31 comments)

For years I have wanted to give myself a break from covering up my acne, but I sometimes find it hard to feel like I look nice if I don't. What are your best tips for the emotional bit (just letting go of the association between makeup and covered skin = only way to look nice) and the physical bit (what else do you do, especially if you don't wear makeup, to look nice?)?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by jerboa at 10:42 AM on June 19, 2024 (25 comments)

DrawingMachines.org attempts to simultaneously be scholarly, technical, engaging, inspirational, and, most of all, useful. Every attempt is made to satisfy the academic art historian, the artist, the designer, the tinkerer and the student. If you are looking for historical or technical information, this site aims to satisfy both. This is a reference site, but aimed at different audiences interested in drawing.
posted to MetaFilter by chavenet at 1:32 PM on June 15, 2024 (4 comments)

I have installed a new herb garden in my US Midwestern yard this year and I am looking for suggestions on interesting perennial edible herbs to add to it beyond the obvious culinary classics (rosemary, sage, thyme, etc.). What should I grow?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by BlueJae at 7:08 AM on June 11, 2024 (40 comments)

It seems that no matter what I try, no matter what sponges/dishcloths I buy, they end up really stinky in a very short time. So stinky that they transfer the stink to my hands and whatever was wiped with them. I've gotten to the point that I avoid using them at all and opt for a paper towel instead, which isn't the most environmentally sound solution. Help?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by DrGail at 3:18 PM on June 7, 2024 (54 comments)

I would like to use an android app to record and track when I do certain things each day, multiple times per day, with a score each time. I don't know the right terms to search for.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by medusa at 11:10 AM on June 6, 2024 (5 comments)

I'm going on a trip for a few weeks and I'd like to load up my Kindle with a book series or two. Basically some characters I can follow along a journey with and enjoy for the length of the trip. I lean fantasy and mystery with some romance, but open to all genres. No YA.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by inevitability at 6:53 PM on June 4, 2024 (31 comments)

New Scientist writers pick their favourite science fiction books of all time - some classics, some obvious modern picks, and some genuine surprises.
posted to MetaFilter by Artw at 8:16 AM on June 2, 2024 (24 comments)

I've started using Seek/iNaturalist/eBird to log my various neighborhood plants/critters, and am really enjoying it! I've also recently started trying to research/find specific rocks/minerals at nearby locations, and am having a wonderful time just poking along the beach cliffs. It's the entire collecting/research/identifying/checking off lists that appeals to me, and it occurred to me that it's a little like treasure hunting...so, what else is like this?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by lemonade at 8:48 PM on May 30, 2024 (29 comments)

I'm looking for some new small enjoyments that I can implement.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by donut_princess at 7:26 AM on June 2, 2024 (49 comments)

Hi! I have the Pottery Barn Benchwright bench in the color 'rustic mahogany'. Unfortunately, I used the bench as an ironing board for one evening. Even though I kept a thick blanket on it before using the iron, the top surface of the bench got discolored and now has a big, white patch (Picture in link). I am cursing my foolishness! Do you have any suggestions on how to salvage this? Happy to get referral for furniture repair company or even suggestions for a DIY. I stay in Toronto, Canada. Thank you!
posted to Ask MetaFilter by synapse2512 at 2:31 PM on May 31, 2024 (8 comments)

As I'm getting older I'm finding that I'm less and less flexible - particularly my hips, back and shoulders. It's at the point where massage can only do so much. There are no good yoga class options around me plus I have issues with scheduling so I'm thinking a recorded online class or some sort of stretching or yoga app might be more helpful. What's good these days?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by ninazer0 at 9:46 PM on May 29, 2024 (17 comments)

I have a shabby little apartment in Washington DC and I need to furnish/style the living room. But I'm not rich, and worse, I don't know what my style is or even if I have one. I need a compassionate consultation and specific advice about what to buy and where to buy it, so my living room can finally be welcoming and comfortable instead of sad and sparse.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by theatro at 5:17 AM on May 30, 2024 (8 comments)

I recently got the odla growing media from my recent visit to ikea. This is my first time experimenting with these clay pebbles.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by SunPower at 6:10 PM on May 26, 2024 (5 comments)

Due to a running-related injury, I recently switched to riding a stationary bike. I've been watching shows like "The Walking Dead" while I ride, but I want to switch to something that will be informative and intellectually stimulating while also being suspenseful. Or, if not exactly suspenseful, then at least interesting enough to shift my focus away from the unpleasantness of exercising.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by alex1965 at 9:17 AM on May 25, 2024 (13 comments)

So far, I haven't bothered trying ChatGPT or its equivalents at all. I assume that in the time it takes for me to figure out how to tell it what to do (compose an email, write snippets of code etc), I could've done the task at hand myself. Am I wrong? Am I missing out? Do I need to get on board and catch up, or risk being left behind?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by wutangclan at 9:20 AM on May 24, 2024 (31 comments)

What Should You Do with Your Stuff before You Die? (slTheWalrus)
posted to MetaFilter by Kitteh at 7:46 AM on May 23, 2024 (91 comments)

All is not lost! Fortunately. All over the world, artists, indigenous communities, activists, foragers, designers are devising creative strategies to help us co-evolve in a more sympathetic and mutually beneficial way with the oldest and most important -in terms of biomass- inhabitants of this planet. [wemakemoneynotart]
posted to MetaFilter by HearHere at 10:44 PM on May 22, 2024 (4 comments)

Calling all nature and geology collectors! Help me find a rock/mineral display stand like this one.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by JuliaIglesias at 3:08 PM on November 18, 2011 (3 comments)

We're trying to plan out the next few years of home improvements to future proof the house (re: climate change) as durably and thoroughly as possible. Decarbonization and longevity are the two broad goals. I'm having trouble organizing this plan.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by furnace.heart at 1:06 PM on May 16, 2024 (12 comments)

Looking for your personal favorites for self care products and why they're great.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Eyelash at 3:31 PM on May 15, 2024 (19 comments)

Please share your favourite nature-themed t-shirts with me.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Rora at 6:09 PM on May 14, 2024 (28 comments)

I understand that not all organic cotton is equal. Which brand(s) do you trust for their procurement and ethical practices?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by splitpeasoup at 3:26 PM on May 4, 2024 (6 comments)

I would like to print, frame and hang some digital photos that I have taken (DSLR and iPhone). I would like to have 5 photos printed larger than 8"x10" and 5-10 photos printed between 4"x6" and 8"x10". What are the best practices for preparing and printing digital photos (cost effectively)?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by bruinfan at 9:20 AM on May 2, 2024 (6 comments)

I'm trying to improve my morning routine.(Which right now consists of coffee and doomscrolling...) I'd like to incorporate a 10-20 minute meditation, guided or otherwise, but I keep striking out. Largely, I think, because I struggle with anything that focuses on breath and with certain kinds of visualization. I'd really appreciate ideas.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by jeszac at 9:01 AM on April 29, 2024 (20 comments)

My laptop crashed and, with it, my entire RSS reader's links directory, which I had been lovingly cultivating for 10 years. As I rebuild it from scratch, I figured I'd ask this community for some recos.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by missjenny at 5:56 AM on April 29, 2024 (16 comments)

I "studied" piano in college and played the flute prior to that complete with music theory classes. I want to get back into playing piano as it by far my favorite instrument but I have questions. If you picked up piano (or any instrument) later as an adult, I'd love your advice.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by tafetta, darling! at 12:18 PM on April 28, 2024 (11 comments)

A while ago, and I think this was on metafilter, someone linked an invective filled and thorough explanation of how color and perception worked especially with regard to computer displays and graphics, including all the different color models and spaces that had been invented over the years. It was very informative and now I can't for the life of me find it.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Zalzidrax at 12:50 AM on April 24, 2024 (4 comments)

I'm looking for dishes where the taste, appearance or "wow factor" is much more than the effort, time or money put into the dish. For the purposes of this question, there are no other restrictions.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by NotLost at 4:18 PM on April 23, 2024 (55 comments)