I was recently doing the news roundup on Science Friday—a delightful sometimes-gig I’ve done periodically since, like, basically the beginning of my career—when I came across one of the most delightful stories I’ve read in a long time. It’s a story about resilience and ingenuity in the face of hostile architecture and human hubris. It’s a story about reducing, reusing and recycling the tools of oppression. It’s a story about birds laughing in the face of law and order.
You know those anti-bird spikes? They’re a lot like anti-human spikes. They take the “problem” of a living being existing in a place that feels inconvenient to other living things and offer a “solution” that is, in actuality, just “a spike.” Why not make a nice place for those living beings to be that isn’t sleeping in your doorway or pooping on your car? Nah. Spikes.
With all that in mind, I found it extremely satisfying to learn that birds have learned to use bird deterrents as nest-building materials. We’re not talking about birds picking up an errant piece of spiked scrap or two from a landfill, either: They’re seizing the means of obstruction.
Researchers found that crows and magpies were ripping spikes off of nearby buildings for the sole purpose of adding them to nests. The crows used the metal strips to add structural support to their nests, basically using the spikes like nails or fasteners to keep materials braced together more securely. The magpies did something even wilder. They’ve started using bird deterrents on the outside of their large, dome-shaped nests. The spikes face outward, presumably so they can serve their intended purpose against other birds. Talk about malicious compliance! I hope you find the proverbial bird spikes that keep you from perching where you please and turn them into death traps for your enemies (or a place for your babies to sleep—whichever).
While I’ve got you: Tickets are on sale now for the next Weirdest Thing live show!
We’ll be at Caveat in NYC on August 24th. We’ve got early bird pricing in effect for just another couple weeks, so don’t delay. And if you’re not near NYC (or not doing indoor events right now) you can snag yourself a livestream ticket instead! Getting a livestream ticket is an amazing way to support me and my work, if that’s a thing you’ve been looking for ways to do. And our shows are always super fun! I’ll probably be hanging at a nearby beer garden after, if you want to chat or get a book signed.
(Paid subscribers: I’ll be sending you a cheeky little promo code in a moment to say thanks for your unconditional support! It’s good for $5 off an in-person ticket or a FREE livestream ticket, ooh la la)
Rachel’s Recs
Read: All audiobooks, all the time! Libro.fm, the audiobook platform that supports indie booksellers, has officially gone international. Celebrate by signing up for a monthly membership using this link, through which the literal angels at Libro have decided to give me 50% commission for the next few days. Wow!
Watch: Crime Scene Kitchen. It’s back for its second season, and I can’t believe more people haven’t watched it. When I tell you this show is a DELIGHT. Also, on a very different note, season two of The Afterparty is killing it.
Procure: Some wistful gay art designed by yours truly.