TIL there's a technical name for why ideas happen in the shower: the "default mode network" is a pattern of brain activity, measurable using fMRI, that happens when we're unfocussed. When the brain goes into idle mode (reduced activity), this part of the brain actually becomes *more* active. What does the default mode network do? Research is ongoing, but part of it definitely seems to be making connections, which is associated with curiosity and creativity.

More here: https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/history-and-civilisation/2022/08/the-science-of-why-you-have-great-ideas-in-the-shower

I've been researching how ancient civilizations cleaned their butts after pooping (I'm writing a book!) and y'all, the Ancient Greeks were SUPER punk rock. They used bits of broken ceramic like a scoop (don't worry - the edges were smoothed out) and sometimes THE BITS OF POTTERY WERE INSCRIBED WITH THE NAMES OF THEIR ENEMIES.

They literally wiped their butts with their enemies' names. I am in awe.

https://daily.jstor.org/this-is-how-they-wiped-themselves-in-ancient-rome/#:~:text=Ancient%20Greeks%20exiled%20their%20enemies,%2C%E2%80%9D%20it%20was%20a%20curse.

This is a carbonized loaf of bread from Pompeii, 79 C.E. - preserved for thousands of years in the volcanic ashes of Mount Vesuvius. The baker left his stamp, which reads: “Celer, slave of Quintus Granius Verus." Celer is known to have survived the eruption, as his name later appears on a list of "freed men." Most bread at the time was baked in community ovens, so customized stamps were used to mark individual families’ and bakeries’ loaves.

#histodons #TIL #WeirdHistory #AncientHistory #DYK

*wakes from their food coma*

It's the first day of #Kwanzaa! Umoja (Unity) is today's focus.

Look no further than #BlackMastodon / #BlackFediverse. We found each other and are pushing back on the whiteness of the platform as a whole. We have ht-BlackFriday every Friday to celebrate #BlackJoy, and every day we celebrate and support us.

It's been great, and that's what's gonna help me stay this time.

<3

Today, reflect on Umoja. Tomorrow will be Kujichagulia.

#AlbisKQwanzaa

DATE: I want someone that brings me fancy gifts

ME, A CROW: [revealing a shiny bottle cap I found] m'lady