Watasenia Scintillans Addresses the New Graduates by Squid Pro Crow

So.

If you’ve noticed me referring obliquely to a “special project” lately, or to “having a thing” that’s taking up my time since April or so, this is it. The thing.

This is what I’ve been working on for the past few months. Just a taste. There’s more to come. [...]

SONG: “One In Ten.” (To download: double right-click & “Save As”)

ARTIST: grant.

SOURCE: Based on “Minority Rules: Scientists Discover Tipping Point for the Spread of Ideas”, ScienceBlog, 25 July 2011, as used in the post “The math of the madness of crowds”.

ABSTRACT: This seemed to be the story that I told people about the [...]

SONG: “Evert 1 Pipkin”.

ARTIST: grant. Originally by Man or Astro-Man?

SOURCE: This is a penitential cover. It’s not from any specific scientific study… although the original may have come from space. You can hear it here, or just buy the Made From Technetium album and be happy.

ABSTRACT: This song is brilliant and deserves [...]

SONG: “The Shape of Your Words.” (To download: double right-click & “Save As”)

ARTIST: grant.

SOURCE: Based on “Kiki or bouba? In search of language’s missing link”, New Scientist, 19 July 2011, as used in the post “Sounds curvy”.

ABSTRACT: I’ve been listening to mid-90s twee again. And something about words having shapes seems like something [...]

SONG: “Humidity.” (To download: double right-click & “Save As”)

ARTIST: grant.

SOURCE: Based on Star Found Shooting Water “Bullets”, National Geographic, 13 June 2011, as used in the post “Star sprinklers”.

ABSTRACT: Dude, it’s hot. Why is it so hot? Humidity. Feels like 98 in the shade. Sweating won’t make you any cooler. Where’d this humidity [...]

SONG: “Without the Sun.” (To download: double right-click & “Save As”)

ARTIST: grant.

SOURCE: Based on Stress can shorten telomeres in childhood, Nature, 17 May 11, as used in the post “Stress alters kids’ chromosomes”… and Our Galaxy Is Littered with Orphan Planets, Popular Mechanics, 18 May 2011, as used in the post “Orphan [...]

SONG: “Grains of Aragonite.” (To download: double right-click & “Save As”)

ARTIST: grant.

SOURCE: Based on Primitive sea creature sports eyes made of rock, LiveScience, 14 Apr 11, as used in the post “Eyes of stone.”

ABSTRACT: I grew up on the beach. Chitons were always around. They’re one of the hardest animals to get to know, [...]

SONG: “Blood Sweat Horses (Hàn Xiě Mǎ)”. (To download: double right-click & “Save As”)

ARTIST: grant.

SOURCE: Based on “Mausoleum find rekindles ancient Chinas blood sweating horse legend, Archaeology Daily, 21 February 11, as used in the post “Blood. Sweat. Horses.”.

ABSTRACT: I have little to say about the writing and recording of this song – it’s [...]

SONG: “Answering the Call.” (To download: double right-click & “Save As”)

ARTIST: grant.

SOURCE: Based on Koalas bellow to attract a mate, BBC News, 18 Feb 11, as used in the post “Full-throated koala love bellow.”

ABSTRACT: It didn’t occur to me, I promise, until just now that the Marlon Brando character in A Streetcar Named Desire [...]