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Olivia L. Dobbs
Bio
Science Enthusiast, Naturalist, Dreamer, Nerd.
I crosspost my Medium articles here :)
You can find my main account on Medium: https://medium.com/@oliviadobbs13
Check out my science! -> bit.ly/DobbsEtAl
Stories (101/0)
AI-Generated Content and the Dead Internet Theory
It’s weird and confusing to live through a major technological revolution. The sudden economic changes permeate all aspects of society: careers, culture, relationships, family life, purchases, and even leisure. Since the 90s, we’ve been subject to several life-altering, major technological shifts. From the internet to cell phones, to social media, our general rate of advancement has increased fast enough to give even the most tech-savvy folk a fair bit of whiplash as they navigate through all the changes. As time has marched on, our ability to innovate has picked up pace, making for some strange culture shocks and, not surprisingly, a general rise in dread about the future.
By Olivia L. Dobbs4 days ago in 01
Boquila trifoliolata: Nature’s Master of Disguise
In the temperate rainforests of southern Chile and Argentina hides a peculiar species of vine. Discovered early in the 2010s, this strange species called Boquila trifoliolata (locally titled the pilpil), has the incredible ability to mimic the leaves of other plant species it grows upon. The leaves of the pilpil, though naturally stubby and lobed, grow to nearly perfectly match the leaves of multiple other species near it, showcasing one of the most incredible feats of camouflage ever found in the plant kingdom.
By Olivia L. Dobbs18 days ago in Earth
Opinion: Not Investing in Lab-Grown Meat is a Massive Mistake
On May 1st, 2024, infamous Governor Ron DeSantis signed a contentious bill into law: the banning of lab-grown meat in Florida. Only six days later, Governor Kay Ivey signed Alabama’s version into law to follow Desantis’ lead. Claimed to be a protection of the beef industry in Florida and Alabama, the proponents of the law believe that the use of cultured meat is against nature and could result in harm to ranching as a livelihood. Notably, both states have also shared an undertone of anti-authoritarianism in their reasoning, stating concern over the federal government having jurisdiction over what is and isn’t allowed in stores. Though these states are the first to take action, there are several other measures across the United States close to passing similar bills, namely in Arizona and Tennessee.
By Olivia L. Dobbsabout a month ago in Feast
Is it Actually Good for the Planet Or Is It Just Greenwashing?
Being a modern consumer is a nightmare. It often feels like every purchase is a moral choice where you’re forced to choose between which ethical nightmare you’re willing to put your money towards. Thankfully, there’s been quite the movement recently in the world of products, with more and more companies transitioning towards better ingredients and more ethical, Earth-friendly practices.
By Olivia L. Dobbs2 months ago in Earth
Celebrating Neurodiversity: Study Showcases a New Perspective on The Evolutionary Advantage of ADHD
On February 21st, 2024, a research article on ADHD was published in The Proceedings of the Royal Society B by a global team of biologists and neuroscientists. The article in question, titled “Attention deficits linked with a proclivity to explore while foraging”, highlighted an incredible trend: participants in their study who screened positively for ADHD were more likely to explore an environment when foraging, instead of exploiting a single source of a resource like their neurotypical counterparts.
By Olivia L. Dobbs2 months ago in Humans
Eleven Engaging YouTube Channels That Infuse Learning with Fun
YouTube gets a bad rap for being full of low-quality brain rot. Yes, that sort of content is definitely present and often shows up on the homepage of the website for new users, but that simply isn’t all of the platform. Despite an inordinate amount of mind-numbing content, YouTube can indeed be an incredible source of knowledge — you just need to know where to find it. If you’d like to improve your video algorithm and make your YouTube account a little more valuable for your brain, give these channels a try. Your mind will thank you!
By Olivia L. Dobbs3 months ago in Education
New Study Indicates that Empathy Can Spread Through Social Interactions
To feel empathy is human — the ability is a core aspect of what makes us us, and what makes societies function as a whole. It plays a critical role in how we form relationships, communicate, collaborate, and how we act towards those we interact with. And, yet, there has existed a long-standing preconception that the empathic ability one has is fixed and cannot be modified by anything once adolescent development ends. When describing empathy, folks say “I am very empathetic” and “They don’t have empathy” with a sense of finality akin to “I am alive” and “He is a human”.
By Olivia L. Dobbs3 months ago in Humans
Unveiling the Cosmos: 8 Captivating Space Discoveries You Almost Missed Hearing About
Space research is about to get wild. With recent advancements in space-faring and space-viewing technology, we’re truly in a golden age of astronomy. The pace of discovery and advancement has seemingly accelerated in the first few months of this year. And, with promising reports and plans from major research institutions across Earth, these discoveries seem to be a good omen for what’s to come. From distant exoplanets to awe-inspiring phenomena, explore the cosmos and witness the wonders that have emerged from the forefront of space exploration in 2024 — so far.
By Olivia L. Dobbs3 months ago in Futurism
The Gut-Brain Connection: Unraveling the Impact of Gut Microbiome on Mental Health
Hangxiety is a nightmare. If you’ve ever woken up after a night of moderate [or heavy] drinking to a fresh and acute batch of cringe and emotional stress, you’ll be all too familiar with the terrible phenomenon — especially the shame, irritability, and general malaise that can come with it.
By Olivia L. Dobbs3 months ago in Longevity
Want to Learn Something New About Science? Check Out These 5 Fun & Educational STEM Podcasts
Everyone these days has a podcast. It’s the hip new thing for influencers to do! Since everyone has decided to pick up the trade, finding a good podcast to listen to can feel super daunting, especially when you’ve decided to trawl through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube for content.
By Olivia L. Dobbs4 months ago in Education
This Flower Is Evolving to Survive a Post-Insect Environment
Environmental changes are driving evolution at an unprecedented pace. The harsh reality of a changing climate isn’t only affecting human civilization and at-risk animal populations — ripples of the phenomenon are already visible everywhere. Recent studies have painted a picture of just how drastic these changes already are for life on earth, by focusing on the rapid adaptations of flowering plants. Due to the extreme effects human activity is having on insect population decline, flowers have begun to evolve to give up on insect-caused pollination.
By Olivia L. Dobbs4 months ago in Earth