Philosophical Questions: Crimes

People have expressed interest in deep topics, so this list focuses on philosophical questions.

If scientists could accurately predict who was more likely to commit crimes, what should society do with that information?

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Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 7e: fanifestos S-Z

This is a new meta entry for marchmetamatterschallenge 2025. See my tracking post here.

Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 1: The Importance of Fanifestos
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 2a: What Is a Fanifesto? intro & canon guide
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 2b: What Is a Fanifesto? cast list & character study
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 2c: What Is a Fanifesto? ship manifesto & milieu study
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 2d: What Is a Fanifesto? plot analysis & crossovers
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 2e: What Is a Fanifesto? trope manifesto & format guide
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 2f: What Is a Fanifesto? personal manifesto & others
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 3: Benefits of Fanifestos
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 4: Drawbacks of Fanifestos
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 5a: Contents of a Fanifesto statement to tropes
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 5b: fanon to other aspects
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 6: How to Write a Fanifesto
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 7a: Where to Find Fanifestos location types & communities
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 7b: fanifestos A-E
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 7c: fanifestos F-I
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 7d: fanifestos J-R
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 7e: fanifestos S-Z
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 8: My Fanifestos

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Modular Mossaria

This video shows the construction of modular mossaria and their display case.  Even if you're not that skilled at woodworking, you could probably do something similar by placing small containers on a premade shelf or rack -- especially since some modular containers have matching frameworks.

A mossarium is just a container set up to showcase moss, with or without other items for visual interest.  These are among the simplest and easiest ones to make and maintain.  They also include some of the smallest, but you can go as large as you want.  To fill a larger space, especially along the vertical axis, just look for sticks or rocks with moss or lichens growing on them (or add some).

Birdfeeding

Today is cloudy, cool, and damp. It rained last night and this morning, and is spitting rain again now.

I fed the birds. I've seen several house finches and two mourning doves. Something drained about half the seed from the thistle feeder, likely the house finches, so I refilled that too.

I put out water for the birds.

The rain had nicely refreshed all the moss in the yard, so I picked out a nice piece of shaggy yellow-green moss to use in my antique jar terrarium.

Squirrels have been digging like crazy. There are little craters all over the yard, and hunks of moss flung everywhere.

So many new things are sprouting! The plum tree is blooming. The first of the hosta leaves have unfurled. The celandine is sprouting. The biggest of the bluebells has buds already.

EDIT 3/29/25 -- It's raining lightly now, with small puddles on the patio.

I've seen several sparrows and a fox squirrel.

I put a layer of substrate in the antique jar terrarium.

EDIT 3/29/25 -- The rain seems to be dwindling.

I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.

I put the moss in the antique jar terrarium.

EDIT 3/29/25 -- It's drizzling again.

I did a bit of work around the patio.

As it is wet out, I am likely done for the night.

Uses for Flowerpots

This video lists numerous uses for flowerpots, mostly plastic but also terra-cotta, and even touches on making your own. 

I always have piles of pots, of various types.  Most I just use as containers, but currently I have a bunch in flats sitting out to see if I can start wildflower seeds that way.  I agree that it's nice to have spares for giveaways, as I'm always happy to pass along just about anything I have multiples of.  I could do with a better way to store mine, though.

Photos: Antique Jar Terrarium Build Part 3: Adding Mosses

Today I added the mosses to the antique jar terrarium. See Part 1: Washing, Drainage, and Barrier, Part 2: Mixing Substrate, Part 3: Adding Mosses, Part 4: Dead Wood and Leaf Litter.

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Ecosystem Under Ice

'Thriving ecosystem' of creatures found in a previously unseen seafloor

Scientists discover thriving ecosystem after city-sized iceberg breaks away from Antarctica.

Sea spiders, octopuses, and icefish have been found thriving on a newly exposed seafloor, which is also home to giant corals and sponges. Researchers can now see all the creatures that call it home after an iceberg broke off near the Antarctic and exposed the ecosystem below.


While it's possible for underwater currents to carry nutrients, my bet is the ice itself. It can carry a lot of nutrients from land, either picked up from soil or deposited from wind. That bottom layer is melting as it its the water, so whatever is carried by the ice will be released for the use of nearby organisms.