A list of curious facts
One: Machines could make humans redundant. But in South America, they’re helping save the male chingolo, or rufous-collared sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis). Chingolo families all have their own unique song—passed on from adult males to babies. But as chingolos vanish, so do their tunes.
Scientists have now ‘revived’ a lost song using a “robotic tutor”—“a device capable of emitting the forgotten melody so that young birds could learn from it.” And it worked!! Chingolos living in Pereyra Iraola Park in Buenos Aires are now singing it loud and proud. Why this matters: We can freeze genetic samples to save animals—but we also have to preserve their culture—which is equally priceless. (National Geographic)
Two: Say hello to Discofoot—which kicks pickleball’s ass any time. It combines football and dance and turns the mish-mash into a team sport. All you need are two teams of twelve, one DJ, one referee and three dance judges. Although you do score points, this is more performance than a competition—and way, way more fun than a Premier League game (more clips here). Yes, it is a French thing. (Mirror UK)
Three: Stop! Don’t you dare junk that mangy old sweater! Flaunt it instead as a “thrashed” piece of ‘vintage’ clothing. New Yorkers are now buying overly-loved clothing—as a statement against “the flatness of cheap fast-fashion and luxury brands.” The logic:
There’s something about having a piece of clothing that somebody else wore and loved so much that it’s fallen apart, then fixed it up and then they continued to wear. That’s an affirmation that a piece of clothing is just great.
That affirmation can set you back by as much as $1,000 for something like this:
Well, it’s either that or an equally expensive “super destroyed” jeans and tee shirt from Balenciaga.
Devotees of the “thrashed” trend claim that at least their clothes earned their awfulness the hard way—by being worn down to ugliness by someone who had a real job. (New York Times, login required, Office Magazine)
Bonus fact: Dating apps—infamous succubi of self-esteem—have long fallen from grace for good reason. But Bangalore folks have developed a version that is at least more fun. Bookmark matches people based on their literary tastes. In fact, the profile pic remains hidden until two users have exchanged at least 10 messages (books over looks!). You could find the love of your life—or at least a Book Buddy. What’s interesting: The app has 25% paying women users—which is supposedly five times that of Bumble. Check it out here. (The Hindu)
