Picnic Awareness: Lightning and Watermelons Do Not Mix
A public service announcement about the dangers of picnics in thunderstorms.
The Devil is in the Details, Specifically, Titivillus, the “Medieval Demon of Typos”
Have you been visited by Titivillus, the demon of typographical errors?
Is Grammar an Inherent Product of the Human Brain?
A long-running academic controversy — do humans share a universal grammar that stems from the structure and evolution of the human brain?
Greetings from SSP 2025 in Baltimore
Some thoughts midway through the SSP 2025 Annual Meeting.
Off for the US Holiday — Wishing You A Constructive Summer
We are off for the Memorial Day holiday, traditionally marking the beginning of summer.
Language Evolves, or rather, Constantly Cooks New Ways to Pass the Vibe Check
A millennial linguist dares to speak to a gen-alpha audience in their native tongue.
Welcoming a New Chef in the Kitchen, Randy Townsend
Today, Randy Townsend officially joins us as a regular contributor in The Scholarly Kitchen.
Ask The Chefs — The NIH Steps on the Open Access Accelerator
The NIH has answered the lingering questions about the future of the Nelson Memo. Not only is it still in effect, it’s being accelerated by six months. We asked the Chefs for their thoughts.
The Scholarly Kitchen Hires a Sous Chef
Join us in welcoming Lettie Conrad as the new Deputy Editor at The Scholarly Kitchen.
Cephalopod Update: First Video Footage of A Colossal Squid Recorded
Finally some good news, at least for afficionados of very large invertebrates.
An Elaborate, But Highly Accurate, 11 Second Microsoft Office Gag
If you’ve ever tried to move a photo in a Word document, you’ll appreciate this short reenactment.
In an Age of Chaos, Some Things Remain Constant. Like, Gravity…
In chaotic times, we must look for reliable things, like the joy of dropping stuff off a tall building…
A Tradition Like No Other: The Minnesota State High School All Hockey Hair Team
A spectacular crop of lettuce at this year’s edition of the traditional mullet spotting competition.
The Rules No Longer Apply: Octopus Edition
As if our world wasn’t already going crazy, now octopi apparently have shells.
Indirect Costs (Facilities and Administration Cost) Explainer
The US government is looking to drastically reduce the amount paid in “indirect costs” in federal grants. Just what are “indirect costs”?