Snakebites on the Rise in the U.S. #Science #Politics #Russia @CNN

Relative to any of the other developed nations, America has a tremendous population and variety of venomous snakes.  That's probably not a surprise to anywhere in the world.  If America produces anything, it's definitely one hell of a lot of venomous snakes.  Judging by the last few years, it may seem America produces nothing but venomous snakes but it's not quite that bad yet.


"The numbers are going up in most states gradually," said Schulte, "simply because as we have more global warming the snakes can do better further north." Generally, snakes are known to inhabit the lower 48 states. A typical hotspot for a number of venomous and non-venomous snakes is the Southeast, especially Florida, said Schulte, yet snake bites have recently begun to rise in Georgia and North Carolina.

Deadly rattlesnakes are concentrated in Texas and the West, but a gradual migration further north appears to be taking place, said Schulte.

"I think it's going to be toward the end of June to middle of July before you know if it's a more snakey season, so to speak, than last year was," said Schulte. The numbers just aren't in yet.

Nikole Castleberry, assistant curator of vertebrate collections and herpetology collection at Georgia Museum of Natural History, said this information about an increasing number of snake bites is relatively new.

"We can only speculate -- there hasn't been any scientific study looking at it," said Castleberry.

CNN:  Snake bites are on the rise in US

The data they accumulate now are what become the science but we don't need an abacus to know nothing but venomous snakes has been coming out of the South for well over twenty years and now the rattlesnake is on the way.  That should do wonders to remedy the fractious fun people have been having in Chicago since there's nothing like a nest of vipers to enliven any party.

Chicago is highly screwed since there's another nest of vipers coming their way from the East so it's probably about time to remove Chicago Pizza from your bucket list.


While we don't typically rely on CNN for information on anything, we have no doubt of CNN and its personal knowledge of snakes, particularly the venomous ones.  Their bites are not usually fatal but they're wasting such an incredible amount of everyone's time.


Meanwhile in Russia ...

Eugene Kaspersky, Russian antivirus programs developer and chief executive of Russia's Kaspersky Lab, watches trough a window decorated with programming code's symbols at his company's headquarters in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, July 1, 2017.


The chief executive of Russia's Kaspersky Lab says he's ready to have his company's source code examined by U.S. government officials to help dispel long-lingering suspicions about his company's ties to the Kremlin.

In an interview with The Associated Press at his Moscow headquarters, Eugene Kaspersky said Saturday that he's also ready to move part of his research work to the U.S. to help counter rumors that he said were first started more than two decades ago out of professional jealousy.

"If the United States needs, we can disclose the source code," he said, adding that he was ready to testify before U.S. lawmakers as well. "Anything I can do to prove that we don't behave maliciously I will do it."

Phys.org:  Russian anti-virus CEO offers up code for US govt scrutiny


Never let a snake get you defensive, comrade.  America celebrates Obedience Day on July 4 but there's no reason any other sovereign nation in the world needs to accommodate that in any way.  America has no authority to tell you to do anything, comrade; it has no authority to tell anyone anywhere to do anything.

Kaspersky:  American Indians were not obedient and America tries to this day to wipe them out!

Well, you see the folly of cooperating with them, don't yewwww.

#Photography of the Beautiful 7/3

Bucharest, Romania

A child, illuminated by a coloured light, plays in a fountain during a heatwave

Photograph: Vadim Ghirda/AP

Good luck figuring out how this works but the kid seems to be onto it.

Bogotá, Colombia

The first day of the Rock al Parque festival inspires a dancer

Photograph: Juan Paez/EPA

It looks like there's a whole lotta freeform in this rock show.

Galle, Sri Lanka

Stilt fishermen perch on their poles waiting for a catch

Photograph: Ishara S Kodikara/AFP/Getty Images

I like this one for the wide range of contrasts but also for the sense of ancient simplicity although how long one could sit on that bar without your backside going into a coma is questionable.

Paris, France

A model poses backstage before the Ronald Xuan haute couture fall/winter 2017-2018 show at Paris fashion week

Photograph: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

There's an unusual beauty and especially so if you fancy vampires.  The effect is interesting when the image is only slightly lifted beyond being a monochrome.  That technique makes novel contrasts as well but they're much more subtle than in the previous.

Santiago, Chile

Drag queen Tormenta takes part in the 17th annual gay pride parade

Photograph: Es/AP

If we think of a drag queen, she will usually be a man wearing women's clothes but we really don't have any idea what Tormenta is doing ... other than being terrifying.

The kid to the bottom left doesn't seem to be terrified but rather happily surprised.  There also seems to be some kind of groundhog on the bottom right.  We're not sure we fully understand this photograph in the Rockhouse.

"A Common Disaster" | Cowboy Junkies | Studio

The song is not political or even a commentary on current world events since the common disaster is a life on the road with her and the band.  It's a bit of a play on commonness since she asks if will leave the common life to run away with me from a life so cramped and dull and join her for a shared or common disaster on the road.

In the view of many, the common disaster on the road for music is just about the finest way to live one's life.  Your call.


"A Common Disaster"

A candle burning for everything I've ever wanted
A tattoo burned for everything I've ever wanted and lost
I had a long list of names that I kept in my back pocket,
but I've cut it down to one and your name's at the top

Won't you share a common disaster?
Share with me a common disaster
A common disaster

I found myself a friend,
but he's crooked as a stick in water
So now I'm writing fairy tales
to catch the spirit of revenge
He's got a plan to steal my little sister,
but I'm not too concerned
'cause I will get him in the end

Won't you share a common disaster?
Share with me a common disaster
A common disaster

Going to find me someone to share
A common disaster
Run away with me from a life so cramped and dull
Not worry too much about the happily-ever-after
Just keep the Caddy moving
'til we're well beyond that hill

Won't you share a common disaster?
Share with me a common disaster
A common disaster

- Michael Edward Timmins (Cowboy Junkies)

California Moves Rapidly to Solar Power #Science #Energy

Nearly 4.9 million homes in California are now powered by the sun's rays

Unknown why so many lights over a parking lot but presumably for security.


Jacquie Barnbrook had grown tired of the high electricity bills and her gas-guzzling luxury car when she finally decided to take the plunge last year.

The 52-year-old Los Angeles resident joined an ever-growing number of Californians who are switching to solar power for their energy needs in a bid to not only save money but to also do their part for the environment in a state setting the pace for the rest of the country in that sector.

"At this time of year, my power and water bills usually were around $400 a month," Barnbrook said. "Right now, it's $150 a month."

As for her vehicle, Barnbrook said she ditched it in favor of a hybrid one that she now plugs in and charges at her house.

"I was previously spending $80 dollars on gas every three or four days and now I haven't put gas in my new car since the beginning of March," she noted. "That's four months ago!"

Phys.org:  Californians take a shine to solar power

Ed:  Balderdash!  Anecdotal crap!  She just got lucky!

Oh really ...

Nearly 4.9 million homes are powered by solar energy in California—the nation's green trailblazer and the most populous state—and that number is expected to continue to grow, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association, a non-profit trade association.

- PO

How does it look with almost five million more anecdotes.


Here's a look at the rate of growth.

He added that a clear sign of where the industry is going is the number of installations—which cost between $15,000 and $20,000 for an average size house—his company is handling.

"When we started in 2012, we did about 10 installations a month," Petrosyan said. "Today, we do about 120 a month ... and it will definitely keep increasing."

Such projections are good news for a state that has mandated that 50 percent of its electricity come from renewable energy sources, including solar, by 2030.

- PO


Taking this back to our anecdote, Ms Jacquie Barnbrook, we see she must have ponied up about twenty grand for solar for the house.  There's probably thirty grand, easy, in acquiring a new hybrid vehicle and her report of savings is confounded by the inclusion of savings on water which are not a part of this.

We know she is fifty grand down but she's recovering at about $250 a month so long as we allow water savings to be part of that calculation.  Her payback will be extremely slow in coming ... but ... it will come.  At that stage she will have achieved near zero-cost energy self-sufficiency at a much higher level of cleanliness than is possible now.

Perhaps you will permit some Pollyanna since we see the rate of installations for solar power for homes so there must be a foreseeable point at which it's realistic to expect solar will already be installed for a home you are buying.  By that time, evolution of EVs should have proceeded apace and you may well already have one.  The actual up-front cost of solar at that time may be minimal except in terms of general maintenance.

I don't think that's too much Walt Disney so, with that, I'll tip my hat and take my leave.

#News on a Nailhead 7/3

A large-scale protest took place for the start of the G20 meetings in Hamburg where Laprov and Trump are expected to review America's about-face on plans to assassinate Assad.  (RT:  ‘G20 protest wave’: 1,000s rally in Hamburg ahead of summit (VIDEO, PHOTO))

That was the real news but Fox carried instead Trump tweets video of him wrestling down CNN;   The Guardian brought us Trump’s tweet attacking CNN is ‘un-American’, top media ethicist says; CNN ran this one as Sasse warns of 'weaponizing distrust' after Trump's media attacks.

They just didn't deem G20 newsworthy apparently.  Good luck on figuring out what Sasse was trying to say but here's a tip:  he's not worth it; he's just another clerk.


As to what's un-American, Centrists have been lauding Henry Kissinger who coordinated with the CIA the assassination of Salvador Allende and brought about the fall of the government in Chile in 1963.  (RT:  Global leadership part of Washington’s DNA, while Russia has been ‘defender & advocate’ – Kissinger)  In other words, we have no reason to listen to Centrists and any whimsical concerns they may have about anti-American activity.


While Kissinger was only been a mechanic, Chomsky has been a prophet but the Establishment has such a penchant for killing prophets. (RT:  Chomsky to RT: ‘US is racing toward the precipice, while the world is trying to save itself’)


Even Darwin doesn't want this one since cops warned him he would likely drown if he jumped into the river.  He jumped; he drowned.  (CBS 13:  Man Jumps Into River And Drowns)


When you're flying your drone about on some idiot mission for Alex Jones, you're well advised to keep it far away from where firefighting aircraft are deployed.  (KGUN 9:  Prescott Valley man arrested for delaying Goodwin Fire fight with drone)


Forgettable governor of Maine shut down the government but what does Maine ever do anyway.  (Reuters:  Maine governor orders partial shutdown with budget in limbo)


If you're asking if the world is flat, you're probably in Oklahoma.  If you paid $1500 for a billboard to announce the world is flat, you're definitely in Oklahoma.  (Patheos:  Flat-Earthers Just Put Up Another (Self-Defeating) Billboard in Tulsa)


From some fellow who will soon be down to only one wife.  (New York Post:  My sex doll is so much better than my real wife)


There's not a thing about the American health care system which works as advertised but at least it costs more than everywhere else in the world.  (The Guardian:  America's broken healthcare system – in one simple chart)


There are bad ideas and then there are military bad ideas so which category do you think deserves the new military Space Corps.  In many sci fi movies, there's always the Trigger-Happy Dumb Ass who fires the first shot which gets the space aliens pissed off and then they kill us all.  It looks like America wants to fire that shot.  (NASA:  Starship troopers: US to create ‘space corps’ in radical Air Force overhaul)


It's not surprising to see China doesn't want American naval vessels near them when it's only been a week since a U.S. naval vessel drove in front of a freighter with consequent heavy damage to both plus multiple fatalities.  (RT:  China dispatches military vessels & fighter jets to warn off US warship sailing near disputed island)

What's Hot on the Blog 7/2

Entry	Pageviews
Climate Change Damages U.S. Economy, Increases Ine... Jul 2, 2017	79
When the Disease Doesn't Understand its Own Virule... Jul 1, 2017	51
When Birds Beat the Drums Like Ringo Starr #Scien... Jul 2, 2017	51
News on a Nailhead 7/2 Jul 2, 2017	45
#Photography on the Blog 7/2 | We Want the Beautif... Jul 1, 2017	45
Racism is Supporting Obama Even When He is Wrong Jun 23, 2013	38
What's Hot on the Blog 7/1 Jul 1, 2017	36
He Must Have Had a Ticket to Ride #News #Music Jul 2, 2017	32
High-Rise Buildings Much More Energy Intensive tha... Jul 1, 2017, 2 comments	30
Satisfying Your Insurance Needs in Unusual Ways | ... Jul 2, 2017	30

Climate Change - astounding to see such interest when this topic often tanks so thanks for that

When the Disease - the Rockhouse is fed-up with comedians playing "Hollywood Squares" with personalities while dancing away from any real substance

When Birds - the Palm Cockatoo has visited Ithaka previously because this bird knows the beat and, what's more, it fashions its own drum stick to do it

News - looks like a hit with this one

#Photography - finding beautiful stuff seems quite a suitable theme and we know you don't want sickly sweet except maybe once in a while

Racism - daily evidence America is more confused about this than anything else

What's Hot

He Must - why that's Sir Paul, isn't it (warning:  no scandal, sleaze, nor salacious slop ... sorry)

High-Rise - regarding the inefficiency of high-rise buildings and delivered with a touch of a feminist interpretation

Satisfying - Bloom County made the list and it must have been because of Bill the Cat

He Must Have Had a Ticket to Ride #News #Music

Seeing Paul McCartney traveling first class on a train may not be unusual but it becomes so when he does it alone.

The Sun:  Sir Paul McCartney spotted alone on a train out of London without a bodyguard or entourage


It must be kind of cool for him to be able to do things regular people do and without any big deal about it although he must have noticed people popping off pictures of him.


Being famous has always struck the Rockhouse as the worst part of success since it means all kinds of people come into your life even when there's a good chance you don't want them there.  Your privacy is invaded in countless ways and you may wind up as fodder for tabloid magazines.  Being rich may be ok (or not) but fame looks like it sucks bad.

McCartney is about ten years older than I and it's remarkable it's taken so long to come to his life while I would take that freedom for granted although rarely in a first class seat.


There's no cynical snark to close this except I will note he must have taken exceptionally good care of himself to get to that age and still look that good.  There's an enormous irony since he could have availed himself of all the hedonistic amusements of the rock life but he mustn't if he will live long.

Rockhouse hat tip to Sir Paul.

Satisfying Your Insurance Needs in Unusual Ways | Bloom County

- "Bloom County" by Berkeley Breathed


That's what we need, some WTF Insurance ®, for everything the other insurance companies don't cover.

Who Is the Adult in Washington #Politics #Entertainment

The premise in the headline is Congress is looking for adult leadership and therefore is taking back power from the White House.  Naturally, our first question at the Rockhouse is which one in Congress is the adult.  (CNN:  How Congress is taking back power from Trump on national security)

We have heard quite a bit from Congress lately about mandatory reduction of the costs of medical insurance but there's never, ever, been any mention of a cut to the socialist benefits members of Congress receive from their coverage.  There may be some adulthood in that but, frankly, it's going past us.

So we wonder ... who is the adult?


"I think it's sinking in, especially with Republican members of Congress, that they are not getting the kind of adult leadership out of the White house that would allow you to give deference to the White House," said Mieke Eoyang, a national security analyst at Third Way and former congressional aide. "So you see Congress stepping up to take a much more aggressive role on national security for the first time in a very long time."

- CNN

WTF!  That yokel is just a fuckin' clerk ... but he's not being presented as the adult; he just knows there's adult leadership somewhere.  It's just not him.

Ed:  what was he saying after the adult leadership part?

He fell apart to give us some spectacularly inconsequential babble.  Maybe that's econobabble since there's more of it but there's still nothing in it but bubbles.


Management of War Powers in Washington is something which comes back at not quite the same frequency as the babble about Daylight Savings Time but definitely with the same redundancy and effect since we know what will come of this, don't we, my brothers and sisters.

Ed:  absolutely nothing

Roger that


Ed:  you can't stop since we don't know who is the adult?

I don't think they're going to tell us, mates.  If the adult is in the source article, he or she is well-hidden.


We know the adult isn't in Maine since he took the more than ample leadership of Chris Christie in New Jersey and he shut down his state as well.


Ed:  how will you know adult leadership when you see it, Ganja Monkey?

Oh, don't you worry about that.  We will recognize it.



It's just possible you may know this fellow.

Climate Change Damages U.S. Economy, Increases Inequality #Science #Sociology

Unmitigated climate change will make the United States poorer and more unequal, according to a new study published in the journal Science. The poorest third of counties could sustain economic damages costing as much as 20 percent of their income if warming proceeds unabated.

States in the South and lower Midwest, which tend to be poor and hot already, will lose the most, with economic opportunity traveling northward and westward. Colder and richer counties along the northern border and in the Rockies could benefit the most as health, agriculture and energy costs are projected to improve.

Overall, the study -- led by Solomon Hsiang of the University of California, Berkeley, Robert Kopp of Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Amir Jina of the University of Chicago, and James Rising, also of UC Berkeley -- projects losses, economic restructuring and widening inequality.

Science Daily:  Climate change damages US economy, increases inequality

The Rockhouse has no intention of flogging anyone with the change and the graphic above is something you probably knew intuitively already.  The relative impact by economic group may not have been so intuitive, however.


If emissions growth is not slowed, then the resulting 6-10°F (3-5°C) of warming above 19th century levels projected for the last two decades of this century will have costs on par with the Great Recession -- except they will not go away afterwards and damages for poor regions will be many times larger.

- SD

The poor people take it the worst and that's probably not a surprise but we don't need to flog the immorality of that since there has been science published on Ithaka previously regarding the rise of social dysfunction in parallel with financial disparity.  It seems that alone is a sufficient imperative to drive doing something about the problem.


As to whether doing anything will actually work.  (Science Daily: Turning the climate tide by 2020)

The world needs high-speed climate action for an immediate bending-down of the global greenhouse-gas emissions curve, leading experts caution. Aggressive reduction of fossil-fuel usage is the key to averting devastating heat extremes and unmanageable sea level rise, the authors argue in a comment published in the scientific journal Nature this week. In the run-up to the G20 summit of the planet's leading economies, the article sets six milestones for a clean industrial revolution. This call for strong short-term measures complements the longer-term 'carbon law' approach introduced earlier this year by some of the current co-authors, including the Potsdam Institute's Director Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, in the journal Science. Thus a full narrative of deep decarbonization emerges.

- SD


Skipping to the conclusion:

"The climate math is brutally clear: While the world can't be healed within the next few years, it may be fatally wounded by negligence until 2020," concludes Hans Joachim Schellnhuber from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, co-author of both the Nature comment and the Science article. Action by 2020 is necessary, but clearly not sufficient -- it needs to set the course for halving CO2 emissions every other decade. In analogy to the legendary Moore's Law, which states that computer processors double in power about every two years, the 'carbon law' can become a self-fulfilling prophecy mobilizing innovations and market forces, says Schellnhuber. "This will be unstoppable -- yet only if we propel the world into action now."

- SD

Ed:  there are heavy doses of purple in that discussion

Fair enough but you don't often see scientists getting scared.  After years of dealing with the insufferable intransigence of greedy politicians, it's not surprising to see their fear this may not get fixed.  Using 'brutally clear' was a bit much of a muchness, tho.

"I encounter five types of clarity every morning before breakfast and that's just while I read the news" - The Mad Hatter


We don't need more clarity beyond the obvious that the world's scientists are pushing the information about climate change and the only opposition comes from Republicans.  Pop quiz:  of those two groups, which would you expect to see in front of the Nobel Prize Committee for Science any time soon.

Ed:  why isn't Trump being blamed for this?

Donald Trump is irrelevant; if it were not him, it would not be some other.  Making this about personalities only insults us all and we have bigger problems to solve which won't be helped by needless and spurious diversions.  The Late Show can play that kind of cheesy crap but we don't want it here.


Ed:  you don't call this flogging?

Well, I didn't bring a number of 8x10 glossy photographs with an explanation on the back of each one.

Ed:  is this Alice's Restaurant or a discussion of climate control?  (WIKI:  Alice's Restaurant)

These days it can be tough to tell, can't it.

News on a Nailhead 7/2

Sure, it's ok to skip the BCG vaccination against tuberculosis ... but ... not so fast Solano County.  (SFgate:  Member of Vallejo gym may have exposed others to tuberculosis)


It's as you suspected; there's no-one in charge in New Jersey.  (Press of Atlantic Cities:  Christie shuts down N.J. government, calls Legislature into session for Saturday.)


There were multiple multi-person shootings in the last day or so and they're still reported as if they're news for some reason.  It's America and this shit happens all the time.  TV just holds the scorecards.


Cop shootings may be around a thousand by year-end but, wtf, that's been true for years.  Welcome to America.  (RT:  Number of US police shooting victims to approach 1,000 by end of year – report)  That comes out to one whacked citizen every eight hours and it goes back years.


There was another Hot for Teacher story today but, wtf, there were two yesterday as well.  It's not uncommon to see great-looking teachers nailing their male students.  This boat done sprung a leak and it's not even clear what did it but there's sure one crazy lot of it happening.  You Freuds out there can have a ball with this one since the Rockhouse doesn't get why there's so much of it.


Maybe it would be a better idea if you don't take TV health food shows too seriously and definitely not this one.  (RT:  Woman abandons livestream after accidentally eating poisonous leaves (VIDEO))

Note:  she is in stable condition.


Kylie and Kendall Jenner have pissed off just about everyone again ... unknown what they did but how would it possibly matter.


Trump has a point about the way Centrist MSM has been trying to undermine his Presidency from the first day using any artifice they could manage.  (Fox News:  Trump attacks media as 'fake' and 'fraudulent,' pushes back about his use of Twitter)

Trump said he's confident the People know Truth and, in fact, we do.  He thinks that will serve him since we know the collusion with Russia hoax was rubbish but that doesn't absolve him of his flip flop in Syria.  We not only know the Truth, we remember it, buddy boy.  (RT: Trump: Fake media trying to silence us, but people know the truth)

First he didn't want to whack Assad but now he does.  Pleased to meetcha, CIA Donald.


Apparently Obama has forgotten when he was getting the hoi polloi all frothy over American Exceptionalism.  It seems it's different when Trump does it.  (The Guardian:  Barack Obama urges world to stand against 'aggressive nationalism')

Obama should go back to lifestyles of the rich and famous and generally shut the fuck up.


Here's one about the Wanker Who Was a Wealthy Woodstock Wannabe ... but now he's headed for prison.  Maybe he can share a cell with Martin Shkreli and they can trade discs by Wu Tang Clan.  (Fox News:  Fyre Fest fiasco: Promoter of failed Bahamas music festival arrested on fraud charge in NYC)


The Lincoln police department will have to improve their electronic imaging of subjects unless they're intending to presents suspects which look like He-Man from the comics.  (BBC:  He-Man e-fit: Lincoln robbery suspect picture ridiculed)

The Rockhouse is guessing facial recognition is not yet fully mature.


Any question as to why Progressives walked away from the Democratic Party like it's a hellbound train?  (RT:  Assange hits back at death threats from #tolerantliberals, lashes out at MSM)


The decline started in a big way in 2008 when the rampant corruption made a whole lot of people lose the faith.  (RT: Debt & childcare costs drive US fertility to historic low)


Le Tour de France is off and the first yellow jersey has been awarded.  (The Guardian:  Tour de France 2017: Geraint Thomas wins stage one to earn yellow jersey)

Note:  dismiss that one if you like but ... I tell you ... my only experience with Le Tour was being there for the finish of one of the stages and it was an incredibly engaging experience with everyone I met.  If ever you have the chance ...


There is still an ample supply of Viagra so golfers should not worry.  (RT:   Major shortage forces doctors to ration important antibiotic)

Of course, you're fucked if you get an infection but don't you worry about that Viagra.

When Birds Beat the Drums Like Ringo Starr #Science

It's been something of a fashion to denigrate Ringo Starr's drumming but there's only one salient point to that matter:  The Beatles thought he did a fine job of it.


However, so do Palm Cockatoos albeit without any notable presence on the Billboard charts.

Palm cockatoos beat the drum like Ringo Starr

Credit: C. Zdenek

Some may recognize that photograph as one which appeared on Ithaka several days ago so now we find the original source of it and you see also where the attribution to Ringo originated.


Professor Rob Heinsohn said while songbirds and whales can belt out a musical tune, few species recognise a beat.

But the shy and elusive palm cockatoo, iconic to Cape York Peninsula in far North Queensland, plays the drums and crafts the sticks.

"The large smoky-grey parrots fashion thick sticks from branches, grip them with their feet and bang them on trunks and tree hollows, all the while displaying to females," said Professor Heinsohn, from the ANU Fenner School of Environment and Society.

"The icing on the cake is that the taps are almost perfectly spaced over very long sequences, just like a human drummer would do when holding a regular beat."

Science Daily:  Palm cockatoos beat drum like Ringo Starr

If you have ever sat next to someone who tries to knock out a beat with fingers or hands on a coffee table but just can't quite get it right then your admiration for the skills of the Palm Cockatoo may leap.


There was a recent article here on Ithaka about the association of music in the context of why should it ever happen.  (Ithaka:  The Story of Music is the Story of Humans #Science #Music)

In the argot of The Beatles, birds were girls, luv.  We can see from the Palm Cockatoo that playing his drum means he finds more birds so there we have a prime reason.


Ed:  are you seriously going to Freud this?

It's too easy to say music is all about sex but even a blind man couldn't ignore how much sex is entangled with it.   However, if you're of a mind to have a whole lot of sex in your life, the Rockhouse does not observe music is necessarily the best way to do it.

Note:  stand back for today's GPC.

The Rockhouse has not noted any particular engagement with music by the Kennedy family.

Ed:  GPC?

Gratuitous Political Cheapshot


Professor Heinsohn said the palm cockatoo's ability to drum has been known for a long time but this is the first research to secure the footage to analyse it.

This was slowly acquired over the seven year study by patiently stalking the birds through the rainforest with a video camera.

"Each of 18 male palm cockatoos, known for their shyness and elusiveness, was shown to have its own style or drumming signature," said Professor Heinsohn.

"Some males were consistently fast, some were slow, while others loved a little flourish at the beginning.

"Such individual styles might allow other birds to recognise who it is drumming from a long way away."

- SD

There's expression, even individual expression, over long distances.

Ed:  sure but it's expression to get birds.  This is still The Beatles.

Read on.


The palm cockatoo drumming is part of the species courtship ritual that involves a lot of calls and movements to attract a mate.

The research is part of a broader study of the palm cockatoo's conservation needs on Cape York Peninsula where they suffer low breeding success and loss of habitat due to mining activity.

- SD

It's true since at least part of the expression is to get more birds but there's no way to know whether all of it was without further analyzing the drumming patterns to validate whatever behavior it may elicit.


The interested student is invited to pursue the source article but do be advised the pursuit is likely to be a long once since this goes to the fundamentals of behavior and it goes across species.  If you're looking for a fast answer to Why Music then this might not be your best idea.  However, one with sufficient patience and insight may well discover something which goes to the center of all of us.

The tempo of the beating of your mother's heart during gestation is the ultimate peace beat, right?  There's little else which will convince humans to do absolutely nothing for nine months but almost all of us did that to mother's heartbeat.

The Rockhouse firmly believes music is about much more than finding birds but, even after playing for so many years, I still really don't have a good answer for Why Music?

Ed:  you just like doing it?

Yep, that's the best answer I ever found.