Best products from r/mildlyinteresting

Okay, I'm replying in a second comment, because I wanna make sure you get to see it. I'll add an edit to the main comment too, in case anyone wants to look up information.

Books:

• Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms, Paul Stamets
  
• The Mushroom Cultivator, Paul Stamets
  
  Those are the standard grow manuals, but if anyone has a suggestion for a more comprehensive or up-to-date manual, it'd be welcome. Mycelium Running is a great book if you're just looking for a fun read about mushrooms.
  
  Websites:
  
  
• /r/mycology - The subreddit devoted to mushroom growing and identification. Probably more relevant info here if you're interested in growing mostly edibles.
  
  
• Fungi Perfecti is good for equipment (I bought all my HEPA filters there, at the time they were the cheapest around). I think they have a YouTube channel too, and that's got some interesting stuff on it.
  
  
• Shroomery.org is a moderately famous mushroom growing forum, with a bit of a bent more toward psychedelics. However, I found tons of great people and information in the edible mushroom forum, and I received a few commerical grade cultures from a very generous member. There can be a bit of a circlejerk surrounding some "celebrities" that post there, but take what they say with a grain of salt, and always fact check against your grow manual. If you see something that looks stupid, it probably is, unless it works. Edit: I don't think Reddit likes linking to the Shroomery, removed the formatting.
  
  Videos:
  
  
• TED Talks: Paul Stamets - Six Ways Mushrooms Can Save The World - This is basically his "standard" speech he gives when he does talks. There have probably been additions and improvements to it, but the message hasn't really changed. This is "Mycelium Running" in about 5 minutes. Watch this to decide whether you want to read that book.
  
  
• Let's Grow Mushrooms! by Roger Rabbit - One of the aforementioned Shroomery celebrities. His videos are helpful, but make sure to fact check why you're doing stuff, because he tends to leave a lot of that out. This is very nuts and bolts demonstrations of how to prepare substrate, how to provide humidity at a low cost, and several different methods of growing for different species of mushrooms.
  
  I hope that helps, friend! Good luck, and if you get something going, please send me pictures! I miss the old days!

Ohhh! I know this!


TLDR: Bees communicate distance and heading in their dancing to food or in this case, an ideal new home. They hold a democratic process to determine the best site amongst the members of the hive. This ball you see is the mid-way journey in the move to a new location.



Bees actually have a fairly complex method of not only communication, but also a robust system of democratic decision making!

Many of you have heard that bees dance? But perhaps you do not know why. Bees communicate many things in dancing, but mostly how to find pollen, water or shelter (a new home). Scientists have studied bees and how they dance, and it turns out that by watching them enough, they can decipher their dances, a series of waggles and walking.


So say a bee found a field of pollen rich flowers, and comes back to the hive to tell the other bees where it is. They do this by dancing in front of the other bees in the hive:

In short, bees make figure 8 waggles - they shake their little bee-hinds and run in a figure-8 patterns cross the comb to communicate- and because their combs are oriented vertically, the angle at which the 8 is oriented off of vertical shows the direction in which the pollen (or destination is). Bees can coordinate this direction with their own internal “compass” and correlate it to the angle of the sun. Even though the suns angle changes as it rises or sets, the bees seem to be able to account for this based on their sycadian rhythm.

They can communicate distance by the duration of the waggle. Roughly 1 second of wings buzzing and body waggling equates to a distance of 1,000 meters! Quite some feat! Other bees (and scientists by observation) can actually watch this, decode it and find out almost exactly the location the bee is trying to communicate!

Bees also have the ability to scout and rate sites for new homes. Scientists observed and discovered this through building hundreds of hives with variables like sun exposure/ volume/ moisture/ distance entrance size etc. Older scout bees go out when the hive is growing big, or the queen is going to be displaced, and seek out candidates for new homes.

When the reach an area (just one area is sought out per bee initially ), they spend time flying around inside of it, and walking across all the surfaces doing measurements by counting steps / and time. They then do an internal rating of the suitability of their site they surveyed, and fly back to the hive! This actually is not a conscious decision (the rating) but something inherent:

“Finally, I should emphasize that almost certainly a scout bee does not consciously think through her evaluation of a site. Instead, she probably does so unconsciously with her nervous system integrating various sensory inputs relating to cavity size, entrance height, and the like, and generating within her a sense of the site’s overall goodness. It may be that finding a desirable tree cavity feels to a homeless scout bee as inherently pleasurable as feasting on a delicious meal does to a hungry human being.”


Since each scout bee only rates one location (there may be 30-50 scout bees), the dancing / democratic process can begin! The bee comes back and dances to communicate the location (and perhaps suitability) of their site. As they dance, they dance more excitedly the better the site! Ifs it’s an iffy site, they dance less fervently and may even eventually stop. If they dance excitedly, more and more bees catch on and take notice.

Here’s the democratic part; each other scout bee vegans to take a look at the dancing frenzy, and then if they like the dance, THEY GO OUT AND CHECK THE SITE THEMSELVES! They “verify” the rating! And when the come back, they begin dancing just a fervently if it is a good site! Eventually, this process repeats itself and it gets narrowed down to just 1 or 2 suitable sites! And this is not just random chance, in observations bees chose the correct site (ideal) 4/5 times!

So, after they choose the site through this process, these scout bees then begin signaling the other bees to store up honey. They run around over the hive and eventually signaling a sort of pre-flight. All the bees start beating their wings, suck up honey for the journey and begin the swarming process.

What you see on this picture is them In the middle of this process, resting around the queen. They will moving on shortly to their new home!

Please check out the book: Honeybee Democracy by Thomas D. Seeley

It’s an amazing book that goes into this process in detail, backed up by years of scientific experiments and observations!

You can begin reading to understand the history of the Kashmir conflict.


So here are some suggestions, based on where I began my own reading, and drawing on easily available publications by Kashmiris.

1. The good old Tracts For The Times booklet by Bajraj Puri - http://www.amazon.in/Kashmir-Towards-Insurgenc…/…/0863113842
   
   
   
2. AG Noorani's volumes on Kashmir (you can also find many articles by him, from Frontline, online) http://www.amazon.in/Kashmir-Dispute-1947-2012…/…/9382381155
   
   
   
3. Curfewed Night by Basharat Peer - http://www.amazon.in/Curfewed-Night-Kashmiri-J…/…/1439109109
   
   
   
4. A Long Dream of Home - The Persecution, exile and exodus of Kashmiri Pandits by Siddhartha Gigoo and Varad Sharma http://www.amazon.in/Long-Dream-Home-persecuti…/…/9385436201
   
   
   
5. Until My Freedom Has Come - a collection of short fiction, reportage, essays, news reports, interviews and a rapper’s song by Kashmiris, edited by Sanjay Kak http://www.penguinbooksindia.com/…/until-my-freedom-has-com…
   
   
   
6. BURIED EVIDENCE: Unknown, Unmarked, and Mass Graves in Indian-Administered Kashmir - a report by International People's Tribunal on Human Rights and Justice in Kashmir (IPTK) http://www.kashmirprocess.org/reports/graves/toc.html
   
   
   
7. Do You Remember Kunan Poshpora? http://www.amazon.in/Remember-Kunan-Poshpora-Z…/…/9384757667
   
   
   
8. You can read updates from the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) http://apdpkashmir.com/ and JKCCS http://www.jkccs.net/ - these groups post Facebook updates also, regularly
   
   
   
9. Kashmir: Roots of Conflict, Paths of Peace by Sumantra Bose - https://kashmirebooks.files.wordpress.com/…/sumantra-bose-k…
   
   
   
10. Some other good readings are included in this list compiled by HT http://www.hindustantimes.com/…/story-PKmPCQ5WtigTwp85vvSpR…
    
    
    
11. An interesting article by Yoginder Sikand in EPW traced the shifts in the Kashmiri movement in the 1980s http://www.epw.in/…/…/changing-course-kashmiri-struggle.html
    
    
    
12. Agha Shahid Ali - The Country Without A Post Office (poetry) http://www.amazon.in/Country-Without-Post-Offi…/…/0393317617
    
    
    
13. Jashn-e-Azaadi - How We Celebrate Freedom - a documentary by Sanjay Kak https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJnwGEk1fzQ
    
    
    
    
    Start where you like, these are not in any particular order. It is most encouraging that so many, ignoring the ugly trolling and hate-filled propaganda, are asking to know more on Kashmir. Yesterday's silent march also saw many come forward to ask to know more. Silence can break the media-scripted cacophony, a space of quiet can allow voices of good sense, especially Kashmiri voices, to be heard, and make for a path to empathy and solidarity.

Now if you head over to /r/fountainpens, you'll find some pen nerds the like of which I cannot compare. I do have a collection, though, something like 12 pens and perhaps 15 inks. I have helped people get into them, or at least dabble, on several occasions. I always recommend that people start with a Parker as their starter pen:

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https://smile.amazon.com/Parker-Jotter-Fountain-Royal-Medium/dp/B07C1F4W3G

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They are cheaper, so you can get in without much worry, and you can use one for a while to figure out what you like or don't like in fountain pens, so that you can later get another pen of your liking. Choose your color--I recommend either a fine or medium point to start (that's how broad/wide the ink trail is). They use pretty standard ink cartridges, so you can buy all sorts of different brands, colors, etc and have fun. It will come with a starter cartridge, so maybe buy a box of them in your favorite color so that you don't run out suddenly:

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https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=parker+fountain+pen+ink+cartridges&i=office-products&crid=138PLFN5BPG28

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When you want to start using bottled ink, you'll get one of these converters:

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https://smile.amazon.com/PARKER-Fountain-Converter-Standard-S0050300/dp/B00135JVKQ

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It will allow you to use any ink from any brand you like, and the world is suddenly your oyster. Have a look, let me know if you have any questions, and happy writing!

I’d be happy to offer you guidance on your journey into the amazing world of bidets.

I started out with this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00A0RHSJO/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1523776662&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=bidet&dpPl=1&dpID=419LXSZM6YL&ref=plSrch

It’s an awesome bidet and does the job perfectly, is super easy to install and for $35 you can’t go wrong.

However about six months ago I decided to splurge and get the king of all bidets, the Toto Washlet:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00UCIOWRM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523776789&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=toto+washlet&dpPl=1&dpID=31uvbuDPUAL&ref=plSrch

It’s expensive but worth it; the water is heated, it has different speeds and the nozzle can move back and forth, and the best part is that it dries your butt afterwards, which is amazing.

One thing about bidets though—for us guys, unless you don’t mind your balls being sprayed with water, it is kind of necessary to make sure they’re out of the way, or figure out a position where the water doesn’t hit them.

You are!! It's super easy

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Mirror: ~110$ after shipping -Two Way Glass Mirror - 12" x 24" - Mirropane - 1/4" Thickness - Flat Edge Polished - for Smart Mirrors, Hidden Televisions, Security and Surveillance Applications https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MSAZ3PN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_UAdiDbB7HTW20
Rpi 3: ~40$ - Element14 Raspberry Pi 3 B+... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BDR5PDW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Monitor: ~ 70$ - Sceptre E205W-1600 20" 75Hz Ultra Thin LED Monitor HDMI VGA Build-in Speakers, Metallic Black (2018 version) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S8W8QMG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_.CdiDb9X0FX93
Assorted cables: ~10$
I spent about 20$ on wood for the frame.
I got the code from here: https://github.com/HackerShackOfficial/Smart-Mirror

Total: ~250$

Rough build guide:
Pull the code onto the pi with git.
Follow the instructions in the README to get everything working.
Disassemble the monitor. Be mindful of ESD and don't destroy the display panel. Set aside all the electronics; you'll need them, duh. Once it is free test it. BE SURE to test the panel at most steps to make sure it's not dead or damaged.
Make the frame to the spec of the mirror. Add in support to make sure the panel will lie where you want it to in the mirror.
Do a dry fit to place and route all the electronics.
I used hot glue and masking tape to secure everything down and block out light leak.
Lastly, go into a dark room and test it out. It'll show you where most of your light leak is.

I hope this is helpful for everyone. Sorry if it isn't comprehensive enough.

Yep, that's why I called it the really expensive way. It's really one of those excess items, priced WAY beyond its actual value.

There are some pretty good moulds ^(not an affiliate link) out there, though, but it takes a little practice to make perfect spheres with them, since you need to leave a little gap at the top for the ice to expand.

For people like me who want this, here's a link to Amazon.

You can also get copies of the Bill of Rights and, of course, the Declaration of independence for $25 total (+shipping). Pretty nice deal for nice hardcovers like these.

Looks like part of this set. It's a pretty cute way to easily tell the difference between the hanging chain controlling the fan vs. the light.

I'm pretty sure this one is the same manufacturer if not the same model. If so then that's pretty expensive for a tilting kettle.

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https://www.amazon.com/Uccello-Kettle-Ergonomic-Design-Electric/dp/B0799F69CS/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1550785143&sr=8-1&keywords=Uccello+Kettle

I bought this for my ex-girlfriend and it was one of the gifts she enjoyed the most. She claimed loads of other people commented and complimented her on it.

If you'd like to buy one, it's available on Amazon in the US here.

Here's the true freedom link, because nothing says freedom like charity: https://smile.amazon.com/Thermos-16-Ounce-Drink-Bottle-Black/dp/B004VFHKUS

I am not OP, but for those who are curious what this purse looks like in typical lighting, I did some searching. This bag seems to be the HotOne Geometric Luminous Purses and Handbags Shard Lattice Eco-friendly Leather Holographic Purse available on Amazon.

This is the mold I have but I got them at a slightly cheaper price during a one day sale. They're excellent for whisky!

Best coffee mug I've ever owned https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B004VFHKUS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_QqEzCbQWHEJE8

Here's the freedom link: https://www.amazon.com/Thermos-16-Ounce-Drink-Bottle-Black/dp/B004VFHKUS

Here you go!

Hotel Spa 3 Colors LED Hand Shower with Temperature Display, Chrome, 4.25" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JV4RPVI/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_qH3rDb99KP779

Or do an Amazon search for LED shower heads to get other varieties.

What do you mean real?

This is the one I have and it's amazing.

Here is what Google has found for me. Note that all I could do was match the the cover images so I can't be certain that these are the same books.

https://www.amazon.com/Declaration-Independence-Little-Books-Wisdom/dp/1557094489

https://www.amazon.com/Constitution-United-States-Little-Wisdom/dp/1557091056/

ISBNs are listed on each page for ease of searching. It also appears there are other books like this too. Here is a different link to change things up.

https://www.applewoodbooks.com/cw_ProductSeries.aspx?k=Little+Books+of+Wisdom

I have yet to read it, but I've been told that Honeybee Democracy is an interesting read on how bees go about communicating where the new hive is.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0691147213/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_Kr3iybDBY5XBY

If buying from amazon, always use Smile:

https://smile.amazon.com/Ceiling-Fan-Pull-Chain-Set/dp/B00FMK9ACM

edit: also, $2 cheaper from Lowes:

http://www.lowes.com/pd/Harbor-Breeze-7-in-Brushed-Nickel-and-White-Metal-Pull-Chain/4745127

These are them. They're great. I got them because it looks cool but it also melts slower so your drink doesn't get watered down. http://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-Sphere-Ice-Molds-Set/dp/B007ACTN54

I was just shopping for these. The same/similar ones are on Amazon

Ceiling Fan Pull Chain Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FMK9ACM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_o9StzbT640F06

Just leave them, they will move on.

Worth a read if you're curious about what they're doing: http://www.amazon.com/Honeybee-Democracy-Thomas-D-Seeley/dp/0691147213

Found this for you if it helps?

https://www.amazon.com/Uccello-Kettle-Ergonomic-Design-Electric/dp/B0799F69CS/ref=pd_aw_sbs_121_1/143-3067205-1913914?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0799F69CS&pd_rd_r=166514d9-3674-11e9-8361-31a05a5f3960&pd_rd_w=Pj34W&pd_rd_wg=krPEB&pf_rd_p=aae79475-6dc9-4a12-80e8-27b63108fa72&pf_rd_r=53XM3H6FXNBMPBMRQNHV&psc=1&refRID=53XM3H6FXNBMPBMRQNHV

https://www.amazon.com/Luxe-Bidet-Neo-120-Non-Electric/dp/B00A0RHSJO/ref=sr_1_4?s=kitchen-bath&ie=UTF8&qid=1511125250&sr=1-4&keywords=bidet&dpID=419LXSZM6YL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

theres a video there for the install. its easy and not permanent. you'll need some channel locks and a small adjustable wrench.

Here is the purse, and its actually really well made for being from china!

www.amazon.com/dp/B075QF2ZTT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_jmL5AbY3F5VNV

I have an led shower head that shows the temp. I like knowing how hot the water is before I jump in. https://www.amazon.com/HotelSpa-Colors-Shower-Temperature-Display/dp/B00JV4RPVI

I got it on amazon. Here’s a link https://www.amazon.com/HotOne-Geometric-Luminous-Eco-Friendly-Holographic/dp/B075QF2ZTT/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?keywords=rainbow+purse&qid=1554593267&s=gateway&sr=8-5#mobile-twister_color_name_1554593278614

Here you go folks. $8.99 on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Ceiling-Fan-Pull-Chain-Set/dp/B00FMK9ACM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467348460&sr=8-1&keywords=ceiling+fan+light+fan+chains

Amazon has you covered

$6.93 on Amazon. for those of you who rarely walk into a Home Depot.