As insects interact with plants, they leave behind tiny DNA fragments, kind of like a marker saying “Hey, I was here!” In the least processed plant products (like tea leaves), these DNA fragments can tell us the story of the insects from the area the plant originated from. Scientists are hoping to use this to track insect populations over time. Finding the DNA of pests in dried plants could be a useful way to find out when insects move into a new area, but before they become a big problem. Read full article here
Culture
The Priest in the Arena
The phrase “man in the arena” has been popularized in recent years, but a lesser known, more dangerous archetype is the “priest in the arena”. This figure is responsible for a process called theocratic capture, where an institution surrenders to a cult demanding unaccountable authority, fueled by claims to privileged knowledge. These cults often target powerful institutions and attempt to monopolize conversations with scaremongering tactics and hostile treatment of allies. It is important to identify and stop theocratic capture before it can gain control. Read full article here
Merv
May 29, 2023
