May 21, 2020
THE BURGUNDY ZINE KICKSTARTER IS NOW LIVE!
DRAWING TABLETS OUT, GET YOUR COMPUTER MICE READY. THE BURGUNDY ZINE MERCH STORE CAMPAIGN IS NOW LIVE ON KICKSTARTER!
Tag: blogs
May 20, 2020
African Violets: A Horticulturist’s Mutant Paradise
With showy blossoms ranging from blue to burgundy and white to green, it’s no wonder African violets (Saintpaulia Ionantha) are among the most popular houseplants across the world.
When gazing upon these vibrant, vivacious “violets” with their pinwheel stripes or “fantasy speckles,” one can’t help but wonder, “How the hell did we get here?”
The answer lies in almost a century of hybridization, accented and accelerated by a few decades of chemical mutagens and radiation, according to a 2017 Folia Horticulturae review.
May 18, 2020
Mycelium: Man’s Unexpected Best Friend
Red speckles and poofy, majestical shapes that appear to be pulled straight from a fairy tale are most likely at the forefront of your mind when you think of mushrooms – or, perhaps, some colorful, swirly-whirly imagery and “hippie babble” come to mind.
But there’s far more to mushrooms than meets the eye. Mycelium, the vegetative part of fungi that forms during the hyphae growth stage of mushrooms, has piqued the interests of researchers around the globe.
In recent years, scientists have put mycelium under the microscope due to its physical strength and pharmacological properties. This has opened the floodgates for mycelia to serve as a natural construction compound for building houses or creating new medicines.
May 16, 2020
Now Introducing: Burgundy Bug
You know her as the “bug behind the blog,” but did you know The Burgundy Zine editor burgundy bug is also a full-time freelancer?
That’s right, bug buddies. I’ve launched my own portfolio site, where you can learn more about the services I provide and inquire about working with me on your upcoming projects.
May 13, 2020
Is Greenland Okay?
Last year saw record-breaking ice melt events in Greenland, with the largest island on Earth yielding a net ice loss of over 300gt, according to the National Snow & Ice Data Center.
To put this into perspective, a gigatonne is 1,000,000,000 metric tons, and a metric ton is equal to 1.10231 US tons. 300gt is roughly 330.7 billion US tons. Here, try out the conversion for yourself. We’ll wait.
However, last year was only the seventh-worst year for ice melt in Greenland. Data from the NSIDC shows 2012 had the highest ice melt, but melt had significantly decreased by 2013 – that isn’t to say conditions weren’t a cause for concern, but they had “chilled out” in comparison to 2012.
So, is there a chance 2020 might spare a little mercy towards Greenland? Well…
May 11, 2020
Poems to Inspire Positivity Amidst the Coronavirus Pandemic by Priti
Poet Priti inspires us to stay positive during the coronavirus pandemic through her poetry.
May 10, 2020
Weekly Newsletter #72: Happy Mother’s Day
Pull out your notepad and pen or whip out your smartphone and get dialing, it’s time to show the one who brought you into this world a little love.
After all, she did let you live in her uterus for nine months. A letter or a phone call is the least you can do for her.
May 9, 2020
Bug’s Philosophy: Attitudes Towards the Media
While reading a research paper on attitudes towards climate change in California during the 2012 to 2016 drought period, I can’t help but find myself struck by how the perception of the media is so conflicting across various communities – and how I, a patron of many different communities, find myself in the unspoken valley that lies at the foot of their rivaling precipices.
May 8, 2020
Better App Co-Founder John Halker on Emotional Wellness and Psych Education
How much do you value your physical health? Alright. Now, how much do you value your mental health? Take a moment to truly reflect on that – perhaps you prioritize one over the other.
And it’s not your fault. For decades, “mental health” simply wasn’t a facet of our vocabulary.
“When I was a kid, nobody ever mentioned mental health,” said psychotherapist and ‘Better App’ co-founder John Halker. “It was just not on the agenda.”
Attitudes towards mental health have shifted in recent years, with a 2019 American Psychological Association survey reporting 87 percent of American adults said: “a mental health disorder is nothing to be ashamed of.”
However, mental health is more than just a buzz word – it’s intertwined with your overall health. An emotional wound demands your attention, just as a physical wound does.
Recently, we spoke to Halker via video call for a very insightful discussion about the “Better App” and “Better Stop Suicide App,” groundbreaking mental health apps designed to guide you in fostering a proactive approach to your emotional wellbeing.
May 3, 2020
Nature by Priti
Poet Priti encourages environmental awareness through her poem, “Nature.”