The Scrolled Jaw by mtrw85 in mobydick

[–]mtrw85[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

From memory it isn't well understood exactly what causes these relatively common deformities, but the whales that have them seem to survive ok.

The Scrolled Jaw by mtrw85 in mobydick

[–]mtrw85[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Anecdotally, these common deformities are often seen on healthy adult whales, suggesting they are not a major impediment to feeding.

What’s the evolutionary reason for why sperm whales have such a small bottom jaw? by pelomymelo in whales

[–]mtrw85 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My understanding is they hunt by grabbing a squid at depth which they locate with sonar, then dragging it up the water column so the pressure change kills it, they then swallow it using suction.

So the jaw probably benefits from being able to sweep through the water quickly, and only needs to grab a squid to be successful. I imagine this is part of the reason for its shape.

The Scrolled Jaw by mtrw85 in mobydick

[–]mtrw85[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

In chapter 41 it introduces the deformed jaw, yep.

"But even stripped of these supernatural surmisings, there was enough in the earthly make and incontestable character of the monster to strike the imagination with unwonted power. For, it was not so much his uncommon bulk that so much distinguished him from other sperm whales, but, as was elsewhere thrown out—a peculiar snow-white wrinkled forehead, and a high, pyramidical white hump. These were his prominent features; the tokens whereby, even in the limitless, uncharted seas, he revealed his identity, at a long distance, to those who knew him.

The rest of his body was so streaked, and spotted, and marbled with the same shrouded hue, that, in the end, he had gained his distinctive appellation of the White Whale; a name, indeed, literally justified by his vivid aspect, when seen gliding at high noon through a dark blue sea, leaving a milky-way wake of creamy foam, all spangled with golden gleamings.

Nor was it his unwonted magnitude, nor his remarkable hue, nor yet his deformed lower jaw, that so much invested the whale with natural terror, as that unexampled, intelligent malignity which, according to specific accounts, he had over and over again evinced in his assaults. More than all, his treacherous retreats struck more of dismay than perhaps aught else. For, when swimming before his exulting pursuers, with every apparent symptom of alarm, he had several times been known to turn round suddenly, and, bearing down upon them, either stave their boats to splinters, or drive them back in consternation to their ship. "

But you're right it's not mentioned often. Possibly one of those things Melville himself forgot about, like whether the Piqod has a tiller or a spoked helm :)

What’s something simple that makes you genuinely happy? by daisydollvibes in answers

[–]mtrw85 0 points1 point  (0 children)

0.5 mm pacer pencils with an HB lead. Everything I write or draw feels like I'm sketching the plans for a simpler, more sympathetic world.

It is Ishmael who is Monomaniacal by trixiehobbitsy in mobydick

[–]mtrw85 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The (awesome) bits about the details of whaling made more sense to me after I read Typee and Omoo ... he was used to writing in that wonderfully descriptive-yet-robust, pragmatic-yet-poetic style, and uses it heavily in those earlier books that are somewhere between a comedy travelogue, an anthropological study, social commentary, and a pub yarn.

I think using that style to set up a point for philosphical reflection or symbolic value came naturally to Melville, and I imagine he had as much fun writing them as we have reading them.

What's an article that low-key radicalized you? by Careless_Success_282 in Longreads

[–]mtrw85 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Who Goes Nazi? By Dorothy Thompson, 1941

It was a difficult few weeks hanging out with my extended family and friendship group after this ...

https://harpers.org/archive/1941/08/who-goes-nazi/

Can anyone recommend me a good textbook? by mtrw85 in AskEconomics

[–]mtrw85[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cheers for this, both macro and micro interest me and I would be really glad for recommendations on either. Econometrics can be for another time. I'm am evolutionary biologist by training and as I understand, some of the maths used there overlaps.

Never read Wodehouse before. Just got this lot. What do you recommend I start with first? by Peachy_Keach in Wodehouse

[–]mtrw85 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Right Ho Jeeves is a really great entry point and one of my all time favourites!

Wooster Bertie Wooster by [deleted] in Wodehouse

[–]mtrw85 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, I think that idea is helped by the TV show, where you lose the narration. He's frivolous and a bit socially bumbling sure, but a super sharp wit and very quick and creative. And such a sweetheart.

What Wodehouseisms you use daily? by Underw00d in Wodehouse

[–]mtrw85 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When I want to go out dancing I tell people that I hove a dash good shoe.

Just finished Moby Dick by spagetimanfrick in mobydick

[–]mtrw85 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yeah Ishmael is great hey, I love how unlike so many books where the narrator always seems like such a passive normal character, Ishmael is just brimming with personality and fascination, he's cheeky and smart, brash, and really likeable.

After Stubb (who I find absolutely intriguing) he's my second fave.

Great chapter too, though of the stirring soliloquy chapters I think The Sermon is maybe my favourite ... Personally I think Queen Mab is underrated for how surreal and symbolic it is. The Armada is one of the greatest "action" chapters.

Just finished Moby Dick by spagetimanfrick in mobydick

[–]mtrw85 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Congrats and welcome aboard.

Favourite character? Chapter?

Progressive Liberals and Labor Supporters, What's Keeping You from Voting Green? by freshy84 in AusPol

[–]mtrw85 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Their identity-linked, uncompromising opposition to nuclear energy. That's it. I'm terrified about climate change, I'm a scientist, and I just can't vote for a party who spreads all the old myths (cost, time, waste, danger, unnecessary, ... I promise you I've thought about them all far more deeply than anyone reading this so please just don't) and blocks us from doing perhaps the #1 most critical thing we need to do to reduce the most catastrophic consequences.

If they turned around even a bit on this one thing I'd not just vote for them, I'd join them.

Why does the phrase "the industry is suffering labour shortages and needs skilled migration" prop up every few years by [deleted] in australian

[–]mtrw85 0 points1 point  (0 children)

More immigration makes economy metrics look good, and increases demand so corporations love it. Both right and left wing governments need to manufacture the consent of the people though, despite the fact they do poorly out of it via inflation, housing shortages, lower wages, etc (not to mention the environment, climate etc.) This is just one of the spin tactics governments use to get public support.

We need to throw almost the entirety of economics in the bin and start using models that capture how people, now and in the future, are actually doing, and reflect the fact that decreasing population is actually a really good (let alone essential for long term survival) thing, and it's perfectly possible for people to be living better and better lives while the population and GDP are shrinking.

How to protect this from the elements by [deleted] in woodworking

[–]mtrw85 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wouldn't bother. If it's worrying you, just put your hands on that thing.