Friday is here, which means a new substack post. How do death rituals affect our bereavement? I look at cross-cultural rates of Prolonged Grief Disorder, and what rituals share across cultural difference. open.substack.com/pub/courtney...

How many people are grieving? There's not an immediately clear answer. So, I tackled it in my first-ever blog post over on Substack! Give it a read and subscribe if you want more on death, bereavement, or other things that pop into my head. #altac

If you grew up in the U.S. in the 1980s/1990s, you know the Paul Hogan ad to promote travel to Australia. His famous line, "I'll slip an extra shrimp on the barbie for ya" was basically the only "Australian" thing I knew.

One of my favorite comics by @gemmacorrell.bsky.social Cargo, or reverse, for me.

Tried watching the first episode of the #3BodyProblem last night, but my husband (physicist by training) couldn't suspend his disbelief. (Mostly premise below) "WHAT SCIENTIST WOULD NOT BE THRILLED BY DISCOVERING A NEW WAY THE UNIVERSE WORKS? Why are they depressed? What a time to be alive!"

Discworld QOTD, from The Shepherd’s Crown

A few days ago, they announced the World Photo of the Year. It's called "Separated by ICE" by @carolguzy.bsky.social, ZUMA Press, iWitness, for Miami Herald. This will be the legacy of this administration. Inconsolable grief, in a place for meant for justice.

Yes, Swiss scientist Fritz Zwicky coined the term “dark matter” which is impressive, but he also coined the term “spherical bastard” to describe people who are bastards no matter which way you look at them, and I think that should be celebrated more.

Beautiful article. I've honestly never felt so invested in benches. From my area of study, author Gabrielle Bruney highlights the use of commemorative benches: For local Brooklyn artist Traore Leigh, "Instead of a tombstone — “that wasn’t his vibe” — the family sought a different kind of memorial."

No notes. Dolly is a national treasure.

Eric Swalwell is the perfect example of double standards for Democrats and Republicans in U.S. government. Of COURSE a serial abuser should step down from his elected seat, but do you see that happening with ANY Republicans representatives (or dare I say, sitting presidents)?

Ann Taves (my PhD advisor) visited our lab in October to work on refining her "presence typology." I'm still considering if I think these typologies are useful, as we continue to struggle to find appropriate cross-disciplinary language to talk about "presences."