On related note, a few years ago, the Entomological Society of America officially discontinued the use of "gypsy moth" and "gyspy ant" as common names for Lymantria dispar and Aphaenogaster araneoides. L. Dispar is now known as the "spongy moth," so named for the appearance of their eggs, but I don't think a new common name has caught on for the ant species yet.

These changes we brought about, in large part, by the advocacy of Romani people in academia. You might not think that bug names are a very serious issue, but I believe that language matters. These species became known as "gypsies" because their attributes were likened to certain stereotypes and negative perceptions of actual Roma, so the continued use of those names reaffirmed those negative associations in the public consciousness. Slurs and pejoratives can never be truly decontexualized.

In my mind, one of the biggest obstacles that Romani people face when we are trying to advocate for ourselves is a lack of recognition as a marginalized group that deserves the necessary consideration. Even for seemingly trivial matters, like bugs or comic book characters, the way that people talk about us-- and talk down to us, when we get involved-- is telling. So, I always think that changes like this are a win, because it means that people are willing to learn and grant us the dignity we deserve. And there's nothing wrong with wanting to effect change in your own field, even arts and science.

the Columbia University arrests are worse than they seem. They're arresting protesting students for trespassing. It goes without saying students cannot meaningfully "trespass" in the common areas of a university they attend. So Columbia University has suspended all student protestors from their institution, in the process revoking their access to housing, their belonging, and most crucially damaging their academic futures. We are witnessing full scale silencing and removal of anyone of conscience from the next generation of academia.

“It Is an Honor to Be Suspended for Palestine”

Dispatches from the Solidarity Encampment at Columbia University

https://crimethinc.com/Columbia2024

In this in-depth report, participants offer a blow-by-blow account of the events at Columbia, appraising the tactics that the demonstrators have employed and the challenges that they face.

he is so divorced-dad-core

Berry costumes are pretty silly @laikascomet

Mimi Paper Mario (but like… not paper)

fish.........

I think I am the way I am partially because my first ever big video game with a story was Super Paper Mario. The narrative is kickass but honestly more than anything I haven't seen many examples that come close to how visually coherent Super Paper Mario is. The amount of geometric shapes in the art direction of the game really drives home how many characters could only exist in 2D, which really drives home the ability to swap to 3D!!!! It's so cool!!! and all the weird equations in the sky and the bizarre (even for Mario standards) enemy designs and the way each world seems to have a unique pattern to the way the world layout is stylized.....its absolutely incredible

Berry costumes are pretty silly @laikascomet

reservoir dogs but csm 🐕

wdym an average platonic bond cant be deep and meaningful do none of you remember the power of friendship

old photo

My dearest Rue

art for a friend x

21-2-24

Im sorry I do this to every fandom im in