Jacob
@iacobuscaesar.bsky.social
I have an MA in archaeology and run a blog called Living in the Longue Durée about ancient history and whatever else. This profile is mostly funny observations about history and science.
Blog: https://livinginthelongueduree.com
Ask if you want Discord.
Blog: https://livinginthelongueduree.com
Ask if you want Discord.
Pinned
Jacob
@iacobuscaesar.bsky.social
· Jun 16
De-Extinction: A History
John Hammond: “None of these attractions are ready yet, of course, but the park will open with the basic tour that you’re about to take, and then other rides will come online six to twe…
livinginthelongueduree.com
So I’ve completed my latest project: a run-through of the history of de-extinction, exploring the many methods that have been tried and treating it as a social phenomenon around science rather than just a snazzily marketed science topic. From Nazi cattle to modern questionable corporate claims.
Still excited about Stoat as a rising Discord competitor but I think these fatal flaws will keep our communities from moving there right now:
1. No pinging roles or everyone.
2. Mobile app is reliant on very modern systems with no plans to make it work for older iOS.
1. No pinging roles or everyone.
2. Mobile app is reliant on very modern systems with no plans to make it work for older iOS.
February 12, 2026 at 6:28 AM
Still excited about Stoat as a rising Discord competitor but I think these fatal flaws will keep our communities from moving there right now:
1. No pinging roles or everyone.
2. Mobile app is reliant on very modern systems with no plans to make it work for older iOS.
1. No pinging roles or everyone.
2. Mobile app is reliant on very modern systems with no plans to make it work for older iOS.
What a man-child.
For people outside of paleontology:
This senior paleontologist, who married a 19-year-old, visited a convicted pedophile in 2012 & 2016. Is beefing over a conference argument from 13 years ago, angry because he was banned from a family-friendly event across the Atlantic. The level of petty.
This senior paleontologist, who married a 19-year-old, visited a convicted pedophile in 2012 & 2016. Is beefing over a conference argument from 13 years ago, angry because he was banned from a family-friendly event across the Atlantic. The level of petty.
February 12, 2026 at 5:26 AM
What a man-child.
In researching The Course of Empire series, the political dimensions and impacts of the paintings are really interesting, especially as they criticized Jacksonian expansionism.
Here’s (soon-to-be) Supreme Court Justice Levi Woodbury suggesting the US was immune to decline in response.
Here’s (soon-to-be) Supreme Court Justice Levi Woodbury suggesting the US was immune to decline in response.
February 11, 2026 at 8:03 PM
In researching The Course of Empire series, the political dimensions and impacts of the paintings are really interesting, especially as they criticized Jacksonian expansionism.
Here’s (soon-to-be) Supreme Court Justice Levi Woodbury suggesting the US was immune to decline in response.
Here’s (soon-to-be) Supreme Court Justice Levi Woodbury suggesting the US was immune to decline in response.
Do you ever just think you were born in the wrong generation?
Born to be a member of the North African Neolithic Kiffian culture (7700-6200 BC) in the African Humid Period, forced to exist in the age of credit card debt.
Who wants to fashion fishing spears by the shores of Lake Mega-Chad again?
Born to be a member of the North African Neolithic Kiffian culture (7700-6200 BC) in the African Humid Period, forced to exist in the age of credit card debt.
Who wants to fashion fishing spears by the shores of Lake Mega-Chad again?
February 11, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Do you ever just think you were born in the wrong generation?
Born to be a member of the North African Neolithic Kiffian culture (7700-6200 BC) in the African Humid Period, forced to exist in the age of credit card debt.
Who wants to fashion fishing spears by the shores of Lake Mega-Chad again?
Born to be a member of the North African Neolithic Kiffian culture (7700-6200 BC) in the African Humid Period, forced to exist in the age of credit card debt.
Who wants to fashion fishing spears by the shores of Lake Mega-Chad again?
rvlt.gg/qpDvx4jM
Since I posted this I made a Stoat server.
Mostly learning how to use it right now but I set up a little server with channels for history and science discussion, language-learning, news following, and the like. Come pop by if you want.
Since I posted this I made a Stoat server.
Mostly learning how to use it right now but I set up a little server with channels for history and science discussion, language-learning, news following, and the like. Come pop by if you want.
February 11, 2026 at 1:51 PM
rvlt.gg/qpDvx4jM
Since I posted this I made a Stoat server.
Mostly learning how to use it right now but I set up a little server with channels for history and science discussion, language-learning, news following, and the like. Come pop by if you want.
Since I posted this I made a Stoat server.
Mostly learning how to use it right now but I set up a little server with channels for history and science discussion, language-learning, news following, and the like. Come pop by if you want.
I’m not personally gonna leave Discord. The communities I’ve built there are too established.
But fellow moderators and I are looking at Stoat to add an alternative platform for accessibility.
Unfortunately seems like their small team is swamped by the sudden amount of traffic.
But fellow moderators and I are looking at Stoat to add an alternative platform for accessibility.
Unfortunately seems like their small team is swamped by the sudden amount of traffic.
February 11, 2026 at 9:59 AM
I’m not personally gonna leave Discord. The communities I’ve built there are too established.
But fellow moderators and I are looking at Stoat to add an alternative platform for accessibility.
Unfortunately seems like their small team is swamped by the sudden amount of traffic.
But fellow moderators and I are looking at Stoat to add an alternative platform for accessibility.
Unfortunately seems like their small team is swamped by the sudden amount of traffic.
One thing I’m thinking about with the Artemis missions is how lunar archaeology will be insane.
Aside from UV radiation, preservation conditions are so much better on the Moon in pretty much every way. Anything we leave up there is an incredible informational gift to some very far future.
Aside from UV radiation, preservation conditions are so much better on the Moon in pretty much every way. Anything we leave up there is an incredible informational gift to some very far future.
February 10, 2026 at 8:04 PM
One thing I’m thinking about with the Artemis missions is how lunar archaeology will be insane.
Aside from UV radiation, preservation conditions are so much better on the Moon in pretty much every way. Anything we leave up there is an incredible informational gift to some very far future.
Aside from UV radiation, preservation conditions are so much better on the Moon in pretty much every way. Anything we leave up there is an incredible informational gift to some very far future.
Oo, yeah, I might also mention now that it’s over and you guys can’t spoil it, but I have a subtle goal each year of not learning who is playing in the Super Bowl until it happens.
This year I managed 50% of that. Unfortunately, Patriots hate was plentiful enough that I knew they would be in it.
This year I managed 50% of that. Unfortunately, Patriots hate was plentiful enough that I knew they would be in it.
February 10, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Oo, yeah, I might also mention now that it’s over and you guys can’t spoil it, but I have a subtle goal each year of not learning who is playing in the Super Bowl until it happens.
This year I managed 50% of that. Unfortunately, Patriots hate was plentiful enough that I knew they would be in it.
This year I managed 50% of that. Unfortunately, Patriots hate was plentiful enough that I knew they would be in it.
Cute lady who works at the local grocery store who recognizes and notices me at this point called me into her checkout line today.
You never quite know what’s going on in someone else’s head.
She has no idea “John Brown’s Body” was blasting in my ears the whole time and I couldn’t hear shit.
You never quite know what’s going on in someone else’s head.
She has no idea “John Brown’s Body” was blasting in my ears the whole time and I couldn’t hear shit.
February 10, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Cute lady who works at the local grocery store who recognizes and notices me at this point called me into her checkout line today.
You never quite know what’s going on in someone else’s head.
She has no idea “John Brown’s Body” was blasting in my ears the whole time and I couldn’t hear shit.
You never quite know what’s going on in someone else’s head.
She has no idea “John Brown’s Body” was blasting in my ears the whole time and I couldn’t hear shit.
Other than Prehistoric Park barely showing the concept, a Carboniferous walk-in aviary-like structure is pretty unexplored in prehistoric-zoo media. I dunno who needs to hear this but if you’re making any media in this niche genre, think about this please.
I have Arthropleura zoo fantasies.
I have Arthropleura zoo fantasies.
February 10, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Other than Prehistoric Park barely showing the concept, a Carboniferous walk-in aviary-like structure is pretty unexplored in prehistoric-zoo media. I dunno who needs to hear this but if you’re making any media in this niche genre, think about this please.
I have Arthropleura zoo fantasies.
I have Arthropleura zoo fantasies.
Excellent little read.
When "Enough, already" is the entire text of a scientific paper. As you'd expect, there's a backstory...
On a two-word scientific paper, and a fascinating (heated) exchange
I’ve blogged before about the shortest scientific papers. Very short papers (a handful to a few dozen words) are usually amusing, but they’re often not very effective at communication. But I’ve jus…
scientistseessquirrel.wordpress.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:55 PM
Excellent little read.
Job application: “How many years of relevant work experience do you have?”
Me: “0 formally but I’ve done similar things for personal and educational projects.”
Job application: “This field can only have numerical characters, no letters or special characters.”
Me: “0 formally but I’ve done similar things for personal and educational projects.”
Job application: “This field can only have numerical characters, no letters or special characters.”
February 10, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Job application: “How many years of relevant work experience do you have?”
Me: “0 formally but I’ve done similar things for personal and educational projects.”
Job application: “This field can only have numerical characters, no letters or special characters.”
Me: “0 formally but I’ve done similar things for personal and educational projects.”
Job application: “This field can only have numerical characters, no letters or special characters.”
One things that’s occurred to me is that we have such a strong visual language for what a “robot” looks like in children’s media and animation, etc. with a blocky head, blinking lights, angular humanoid features, etc. 🤖
With how many robots are being developed, how long until that is overwritten?
With how many robots are being developed, how long until that is overwritten?
February 10, 2026 at 11:15 AM
One things that’s occurred to me is that we have such a strong visual language for what a “robot” looks like in children’s media and animation, etc. with a blocky head, blinking lights, angular humanoid features, etc. 🤖
With how many robots are being developed, how long until that is overwritten?
With how many robots are being developed, how long until that is overwritten?
A few photos from my little walk this morning.
Let these cygnes be positive for you today.
Also I appreciated the trees near the Hippodrome de Longchamp popping back to life for spring with little bunches of leaves.
Let these cygnes be positive for you today.
Also I appreciated the trees near the Hippodrome de Longchamp popping back to life for spring with little bunches of leaves.
February 10, 2026 at 9:23 AM
A few photos from my little walk this morning.
Let these cygnes be positive for you today.
Also I appreciated the trees near the Hippodrome de Longchamp popping back to life for spring with little bunches of leaves.
Let these cygnes be positive for you today.
Also I appreciated the trees near the Hippodrome de Longchamp popping back to life for spring with little bunches of leaves.
Naval officer: “Admiral Yi, sir, the Japanese naval tactics are based on boarding, turning sea combat into land combat and— OW, HOLY FUCK.”
Yi Sun-Sin: “Everything alright?”
Naval officer: “I stepped on a LEGO.”
Yi Sun-Sin: “I have an idea.”
Yi Sun-Sin: “Everything alright?”
Naval officer: “I stepped on a LEGO.”
Yi Sun-Sin: “I have an idea.”
February 10, 2026 at 5:32 AM
Naval officer: “Admiral Yi, sir, the Japanese naval tactics are based on boarding, turning sea combat into land combat and— OW, HOLY FUCK.”
Yi Sun-Sin: “Everything alright?”
Naval officer: “I stepped on a LEGO.”
Yi Sun-Sin: “I have an idea.”
Yi Sun-Sin: “Everything alright?”
Naval officer: “I stepped on a LEGO.”
Yi Sun-Sin: “I have an idea.”
I imagine Daedalus in Greek mythology being like the ancient version of the artist who makes too much off of commissions to say no but who is really uncomfortable with what he has to make.
“Pasiphae, it’s not another wooden cow, right? O, big maze… thank Poseidon. That’s more fun.”
“Pasiphae, it’s not another wooden cow, right? O, big maze… thank Poseidon. That’s more fun.”
February 10, 2026 at 4:59 AM
I imagine Daedalus in Greek mythology being like the ancient version of the artist who makes too much off of commissions to say no but who is really uncomfortable with what he has to make.
“Pasiphae, it’s not another wooden cow, right? O, big maze… thank Poseidon. That’s more fun.”
“Pasiphae, it’s not another wooden cow, right? O, big maze… thank Poseidon. That’s more fun.”
Extremely respectable. I hope to go to this event this year even more so.
February 9, 2026 at 8:49 PM
Extremely respectable. I hope to go to this event this year even more so.
Different Discord servers in our little history network having internal risk-assessment discussions about the incoming face-verification on the app in March.
Ranging from basically unaffected to half the mod team being potentially about to leave the platform.
Ranging from basically unaffected to half the mod team being potentially about to leave the platform.
February 9, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Different Discord servers in our little history network having internal risk-assessment discussions about the incoming face-verification on the app in March.
Ranging from basically unaffected to half the mod team being potentially about to leave the platform.
Ranging from basically unaffected to half the mod team being potentially about to leave the platform.
This morning I had to add a new rule against thirst posts over on r/PrehistoricMemes.
A small group of people have been constantly posting their weird spec-evo dino girls with big boobs.
Guys, boobs are a synapsid thing. You should know this as evolutionary biology enjoyers.
Also what the fuck.
A small group of people have been constantly posting their weird spec-evo dino girls with big boobs.
Guys, boobs are a synapsid thing. You should know this as evolutionary biology enjoyers.
Also what the fuck.
February 9, 2026 at 7:08 AM
This morning I had to add a new rule against thirst posts over on r/PrehistoricMemes.
A small group of people have been constantly posting their weird spec-evo dino girls with big boobs.
Guys, boobs are a synapsid thing. You should know this as evolutionary biology enjoyers.
Also what the fuck.
A small group of people have been constantly posting their weird spec-evo dino girls with big boobs.
Guys, boobs are a synapsid thing. You should know this as evolutionary biology enjoyers.
Also what the fuck.
Been writing about and describing the different paintings in Thomas Cole’s 1833-1836 series The Course of Empire.
After looking at them enough, you really get a feeling of the internal geography of their scenes and I can’t help but want to wander them further.
After looking at them enough, you really get a feeling of the internal geography of their scenes and I can’t help but want to wander them further.
February 8, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Been writing about and describing the different paintings in Thomas Cole’s 1833-1836 series The Course of Empire.
After looking at them enough, you really get a feeling of the internal geography of their scenes and I can’t help but want to wander them further.
After looking at them enough, you really get a feeling of the internal geography of their scenes and I can’t help but want to wander them further.
This Super Bowl Sunday, I’d like to introduce you all to the magical curse bowls used in Upper Mesopotamia and Syria in late antiquity. Written in Mandaic (as here) or Syriac Aramaic, they trap demons who trespass on a household by sucking them in with spiraling spells to the center of the bowl.
February 8, 2026 at 2:28 PM
This Super Bowl Sunday, I’d like to introduce you all to the magical curse bowls used in Upper Mesopotamia and Syria in late antiquity. Written in Mandaic (as here) or Syriac Aramaic, they trap demons who trespass on a household by sucking them in with spiraling spells to the center of the bowl.
I know I’ve been a grump about the tech industry with AI and the attention economy and all, but becoming interested in that topic has actually gotten me to do a decent amount of reading about the history of computer and internet development, something I appreciate a lot more now.
February 8, 2026 at 10:30 AM
I know I’ve been a grump about the tech industry with AI and the attention economy and all, but becoming interested in that topic has actually gotten me to do a decent amount of reading about the history of computer and internet development, something I appreciate a lot more now.
Heh.
All this talk about crazy soft tissue preservation in a Chinese iguanodontid, but almost nobody talking about its size.
Can somebody tell me Haolong it is?
Can somebody tell me Haolong it is?
February 8, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Heh.
Tonight the animated movie to watch is Rio 2. I think I only ever saw this once so I don’t remember the plot as well as the other one.
But genuinely the vibes on these movies are so good.
When I get more income, still thinking about a Brazil trip.
But genuinely the vibes on these movies are so good.
When I get more income, still thinking about a Brazil trip.
February 7, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Tonight the animated movie to watch is Rio 2. I think I only ever saw this once so I don’t remember the plot as well as the other one.
But genuinely the vibes on these movies are so good.
When I get more income, still thinking about a Brazil trip.
But genuinely the vibes on these movies are so good.
When I get more income, still thinking about a Brazil trip.
Among the Sierra Nevada, California, 1868, by German-American painter Albert Bierstadt is one of the most incredible paintings in existence every time I look at it.
Bierstadt was part of an 1859 survey expedition to the Sierra Nevada but he actually painted this in Rome years later.
Bierstadt was part of an 1859 survey expedition to the Sierra Nevada but he actually painted this in Rome years later.
February 7, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Among the Sierra Nevada, California, 1868, by German-American painter Albert Bierstadt is one of the most incredible paintings in existence every time I look at it.
Bierstadt was part of an 1859 survey expedition to the Sierra Nevada but he actually painted this in Rome years later.
Bierstadt was part of an 1859 survey expedition to the Sierra Nevada but he actually painted this in Rome years later.