The lyrebird, most commonly found in Australia, is capable of mimicking an extraordinary range of sounds while singing to attract a mate. But as the below clip with David Attenborough demonstrates, humans aren’t always aware of the considerable impact they have upon nature. As reported in 2001 by the Register and in 2005 by the Hindustan Times, birds have also picked up an uncanny ability to impersonate ringtones. But perhaps the saddest part of this story is the possibility put forth by the National Audubon Society last year: noise pollution may be causing birds to lose their capacity to sing.
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Day Away
Pleasant personal circumstances call me elsewhere today. But I will return very soon with an essay on contemporary horror films, with some lengthy thoughts on George Romero’s Diary of the Dead.
Also, it’s good to see that ex-Publishers Weekly junket whore Karen Holt has landed on her feet at an outlet suitably tailored to her ethics and talents.
Until Next Week
Do Not Trust This Man!
“I think we should publicly shame him,” said one of our party.
“Okay,” I said. “Why not?”
There were five of us waiting to meet up with Dan Wickett at the Sheraton Hotel Hudson Bar. But Mr. Wickett was not there! We hung around for around 40 minutes. But no Dan Wickett! Et tu, Dan?
Despite the fact that there was a need to beat a deadline, your correspondent evaded his responsibilities and will be chained to his laptop for the next thirty hours to get the assignment finished. But shortly after the fruitless quest for Dan Wickett, there was then an evening involving many additional places with many magnificent people with many crazed text messages and many phone calls and people coming and going and perhaps too many drinks. And because of these peregrinations, which were somewhat unanticipated, there is no entry on Filthy Habits this morning.
But oh those margaritas! And oh those hugs and kisses and talk of randy activity!
Weekend Diversions
Pardon the lack of new posts. We should have some fresh content here on Monday (along with two new Segundo shows you’re not going to want to miss). In the meantime, you can read two new reviews from me this weekend: my take on the new Vollmann in the Chicago Sun-Times and a review of Toby Barlow’s Sharp Teeth in yesterday’s Los Angeles Times.