Dr. Thing Learner

@drthinglearner

I write and talk about science and ancient history a lot. Podcaster, archaeologist, kids’ book author. Big fan of dogs and cool people, expert fun-haver. Occasional artist, walking pile of trivial knowledge. Find me at thinglearner.squarespace.com

354 Siguiendo2011 Seguidores428 Publicaciones

Bluesky

¿Es tu perfil?Reclámalo y drthinglearner.dirty.social es tuyo.Reclamar perfil

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· 22d

What’s a term for “thirst trap but I’m just posting it because I’m starting to be happy with the way I look” ? Right and wrong answers welcome #selfie

A short-haired person with shoulder tattoos and wearing a gray tank top looks side-on at the camera with a slightly self conscious expression while doing a thumbs up.

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· 24d

Black background and white text reads:

An autobiographical poem:

If I were to describe my talents;
None of them is work/life balance

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Jul 4

Happy oh-no-loud-bang day from this sweet girl who is absolutely zooted on trazodone.

A fluffy German shepherd making a goofy smiling face with her eyes closed.

A German shepherd, ears back but squinting into the camera with a dopey smile on her face.

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Jun 30

How your email finds me:

A fluffy German Shepherd mutt with a sweet little blank face, just vibing, no thoughts.

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Jun 18

Gay icons in #fantasy novels—I’ll go first: Alanna of Trebond (Tamara Pierce’s Tortall series) Who are your faves? What books are they from? I wanna know! #Pride

A young person with chin-length red hair, shown from the waist up, wearing red and gold armor and wielding a double-handed sword.

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Jun 3

Happy #Pride, queerness is powerful. Down with haters, we’re having more fun anyway.

A black and white cartoon reversal of the Greco-Roman statue of Perseus killing Medusa. Medusa holds a sword in one hand and Perseus’ head in the other. Next to the drawing is text that reads “there, I fixed it.”

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Mar 18

TONIGHT! 8pm eastern, join me (virtually! and for free!) as I explore the science behind the reconstruction of Ötzi, a man whose 5,000-years-old remains were frozen in ice until 1991. arapahoelibraries.bibliocommons.com/events/697cc... #archaeology #mystery #science #murder

A goof on the CSI thumbnail, this has the Ted Danson character’s head replaced (poorly) with the face of Ötzi, a man who died around 5,000 years ago.

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Jan 27

I made some calzones and only one came out haunted! #dinner

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Jan 27

Good morning, we are hanging in there and hope you are too. #dog

A close view from ground level of a tan German shepherd’s face with black and pink nose and a person with short dark hair and glasses leaning on the dog’s head and taking the selfie.

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Jan 12

Fiddle and I had different opinions about taking a cute snuggle selfie.

A photo of a person with glasses and a blue plaid flannel mostly off the left side of the picture, while trying to take a snuggly selfie (unsuccessfully) with a fluffy German shepherd. Both the person and dog are lying on a wood floor.

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Jan 10

I painted some lemons because I wanted something sunny and cheerful amongst the raging horrors.

A painting of lemons in a sort of impressionistic style. There’s a whole lemon on the right, half a lemon in the middle, and a wedge on the left.

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Dec 23

Holiday greetings from the sidewalks of West Philly.

A leaf of Swiss chard with a red stem on a concrete sidewalk. The leaf resembles a christmas tree and there is a cartoon star drawn above it. At the bottom of the image it says “merry christmas.”

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Nov 12

This idea came to me in a dream, and even in the dream I thought “well, this is silly.” Gonna make a few more prints and put them up for sale in my shop. If you also feel like a fishperson who tried real hard, you can get one of your own. thinglearner.squarespace.com/shop

A black and white print of a goofy looking fish with human legs walking aimlessly. The print also reads “well, I tried.”

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Nov 9

Hello! I got my shit together and set up a shop page on my website! I’m doing a limited run of several of my favorite prints for now. Eventually I’ll have an option for original pieces and commissions! You can buy ‘em! I’d love it if you did. #gifts #art thinglearner.squarespace.com/shop

A person with glasses and short dark hair, wearing a light grey hoodie. They are holding a black and white print of a skeleton, with the words “I support you” next to it. They would like you to browse and perhaps purchase their art at thinglearner.squarespace.com/shop

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Oct 28

Interesting, but regrettably I *did* have to zoom in on the Vitruvian Man’s mathematically-proportioned dongle to see what the article was even talking about.

The title image of a Science Alert article featuring the Vitruvian man by Da Vinci. “HIDDEN DETAIL IN CROTCH SOLVES A 500 YEAR OLD LEONARDO DA VINCI MYSTERY.”

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Oct 26

Hey do you guys like crows? #painting #crows #nature #art #birds

A painting on a pinkish white background. A crow is standing in shallow water with one foot up, inspecting a yellow leaf. There are some ripples and the bird’s reflection in the water

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Oct 14

My dad sent me a nice photo this morning. Hope you also enjoy it, internet pals. :)

A dappled dark gray sidewalk with a pinkish, heart-shaped redbud leaf. The leaf is covered in big fat rain droplets.

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Oct 8

Just over here doing the art my 12-year-old self would’ve been super into

A black and white print from a lino-cut block of a flying dragon spitting fire at a knight. The knight has a shield up and sword out but it doesn’t look great for him.

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Oct 2

I really like how this one came out! Mammoth lino cut print with acrylic ink — I just need to get the coating of ink a little smoother.

A printing block (carved rectangle of light blue rubber) of a mammoth skeleton and body silhouette.

The print from the mammoth block — black and white, mammoth facing to the right, a mirror image of the block.

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Sep 10

I finished the owl painting finally, after…I don’t know, at least six repaints??? #art #birds #owls #nature #painting #painters

An easel propping up a large canvas painted with a horned owl swooping down to perch on a stump. It’s painted in tones of green, brown, yellow, and a peachy pink. This thing took me SO LONG y’all

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Sep 4

#kids #education #BooksForKids My #book with @neonsquidbooks.bsky.social is coming out SO SOON and is available for preorder now! If you like #history, #archaeology, obscure facts, and #games — this is for you! Great for kids aged 6+, also great for adults. Check out this sneak peek:

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Aug 31

This was a really ambitious project and it has sat on my easel for weeks while I roughed it out, blocked in colors, decided I hated it, re-shaped some bits, and so on and so on. Finally almost where I want it to be, though, and I’m glad I stuck with it. #birds #art #painting #owl #nature

An easel set up with a large painting of a horned owl swooping down towards a stump, wings spread to slow down and talons out to grab the perch.

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Jul 31

this painting is starting to come together! I think I just really like painting water, it’s so soothing. Shares and compliments welcome 🙃 #art #painting #landscape #waterfall #water #nature

An unfinished acrylic painting of a view of Paterson Falls, NJ. Colors are mostly greys and greens with some touches of purple and yellow. There are some small waterfalls at the back of the composition and a view of the river flowing outwards from there.

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Jul 21

It’s a baby

A monarch butterfly sits on a plant stalk in a light drizzle, with its wings out flat.

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Jul 8

Do you want to learn about some of the oddest, coolest historical and archaeological artifacts from all over the world? Great news! I wrote a #book for you! Each GORGEOUS page is packed with illustrations, clues and context for scholarly sleuths of all ages. #History #archaeology #kids

A bright red book with someone’s left hand holding it. The book cover reads “A Compendium of Curious Contraptions” and is illustrated with intriguing objects.

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Jun 19

I’m too tired, here’s a cat pretending to be a shark.

A black cat’s head, perspective looking up from below the chin so that her little teef are out and she looks like a furry land shark.

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Jun 19

Yeah, I think I nailed it. Noble, majestic, dignified.

A painting of two gray wolves from the shoulders up on a blue background. The wolf on the right is playfully chomping the other one’s muzzle.

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Jun 18

A #sketch for a new #painting, just to make sure I really capture the gravitas. #art #wolf #nature #artist #animals

A graphite pencil sketch on white paper of two gray wolves. One is playfully chomping on the other’s nose.

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Jun 9

Here’s a bear friend for your timeline, please enjoy. #art #painting #bear #nature #animals #hobby #paintings

A painting of a standing brown bear on a sage-y green / gray background.

Dr. Thing Learner@drthinglearner· Jun 6

If you want a malleable public, take away the media that teaches them to think for themselves and find joy in curiosity. Yeah, I’m pissed that I lost my job, but I’m far angrier at the corporation for openly valuing cost over contribution.