Roope Kaaronen
@roopekaaronen.net
Forager of information and mushrooms • Cognitive science, cultural evolution, cognitive anthropology • https://roopekaaronen.net • Kayaking, music, nature, photography
Pinned
Roope Kaaronen
@roopekaaronen.net
· Dec 4
I am delighted to share our latest piece of research:
‘A global cross-cultural analysis of string figures reveals evidence of deep transmission and innovation’.
This was long in the works and is by far the largest project I’ve led to date.
A thread:
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
‘A global cross-cultural analysis of string figures reveals evidence of deep transmission and innovation’.
This was long in the works and is by far the largest project I’ve led to date.
A thread:
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
Reposted by Roope Kaaronen
For Christmas Day an early medieval gold foil cross found in Andelfingen, dating 7th c. AD.
Gold foil crosses were purpose-made for burials, they were sewn on the veil that covered the deceased.
They are regarded as one of the earliest Christian symbols in southwestern Germany.
MERRY CHRISTMAS🎄🎅
Gold foil crosses were purpose-made for burials, they were sewn on the veil that covered the deceased.
They are regarded as one of the earliest Christian symbols in southwestern Germany.
MERRY CHRISTMAS🎄🎅
December 25, 2025 at 8:06 AM
For Christmas Day an early medieval gold foil cross found in Andelfingen, dating 7th c. AD.
Gold foil crosses were purpose-made for burials, they were sewn on the veil that covered the deceased.
They are regarded as one of the earliest Christian symbols in southwestern Germany.
MERRY CHRISTMAS🎄🎅
Gold foil crosses were purpose-made for burials, they were sewn on the veil that covered the deceased.
They are regarded as one of the earliest Christian symbols in southwestern Germany.
MERRY CHRISTMAS🎄🎅
Reposted by Roope Kaaronen
Had fun with this one!
In which I discuss: dolphins, elephants, marmosets, teknonymy, necronymy, reciprocal names in New Guinea, nominative determinism, the Bob-Kirk effect, the face-name-matching effect, name signs, toponyms, dog names, name uniqueness, alexinomia, toponyms, name taboos, etc.
In which I discuss: dolphins, elephants, marmosets, teknonymy, necronymy, reciprocal names in New Guinea, nominative determinism, the Bob-Kirk effect, the face-name-matching effect, name signs, toponyms, dog names, name uniqueness, alexinomia, toponyms, name taboos, etc.
New episode!! 🎉🎙️
An audio essay from @kensycoop.bsky.social about names in the natural world.
The search for "name-like" symbols in animals is intensifying. But if the enterprise is to succeed, we first need to pause and ask ourselves: What even is a name?
Listen: disi.org/in-search-of...
An audio essay from @kensycoop.bsky.social about names in the natural world.
The search for "name-like" symbols in animals is intensifying. But if the enterprise is to succeed, we first need to pause and ask ourselves: What even is a name?
Listen: disi.org/in-search-of...
December 22, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Had fun with this one!
In which I discuss: dolphins, elephants, marmosets, teknonymy, necronymy, reciprocal names in New Guinea, nominative determinism, the Bob-Kirk effect, the face-name-matching effect, name signs, toponyms, dog names, name uniqueness, alexinomia, toponyms, name taboos, etc.
In which I discuss: dolphins, elephants, marmosets, teknonymy, necronymy, reciprocal names in New Guinea, nominative determinism, the Bob-Kirk effect, the face-name-matching effect, name signs, toponyms, dog names, name uniqueness, alexinomia, toponyms, name taboos, etc.
Reposted by Roope Kaaronen
New episode!! 🎉🎙️
An audio essay from @kensycoop.bsky.social about names in the natural world.
The search for "name-like" symbols in animals is intensifying. But if the enterprise is to succeed, we first need to pause and ask ourselves: What even is a name?
Listen: disi.org/in-search-of...
An audio essay from @kensycoop.bsky.social about names in the natural world.
The search for "name-like" symbols in animals is intensifying. But if the enterprise is to succeed, we first need to pause and ask ourselves: What even is a name?
Listen: disi.org/in-search-of...
December 22, 2025 at 8:22 PM
New episode!! 🎉🎙️
An audio essay from @kensycoop.bsky.social about names in the natural world.
The search for "name-like" symbols in animals is intensifying. But if the enterprise is to succeed, we first need to pause and ask ourselves: What even is a name?
Listen: disi.org/in-search-of...
An audio essay from @kensycoop.bsky.social about names in the natural world.
The search for "name-like" symbols in animals is intensifying. But if the enterprise is to succeed, we first need to pause and ask ourselves: What even is a name?
Listen: disi.org/in-search-of...
Reposted by Roope Kaaronen
** CALL FOR PAPERS **
I am co-organizing a session for the #EAA2026 conference in Athens on
"Cross-cultural patterns in small-scale societies: Insights from comparative ethnology"
Submit through EAA website: www.e-a-a.org/EAA2026/EAA2...
and please share with others who might be interested!
I am co-organizing a session for the #EAA2026 conference in Athens on
"Cross-cultural patterns in small-scale societies: Insights from comparative ethnology"
Submit through EAA website: www.e-a-a.org/EAA2026/EAA2...
and please share with others who might be interested!
December 22, 2025 at 9:14 AM
** CALL FOR PAPERS **
I am co-organizing a session for the #EAA2026 conference in Athens on
"Cross-cultural patterns in small-scale societies: Insights from comparative ethnology"
Submit through EAA website: www.e-a-a.org/EAA2026/EAA2...
and please share with others who might be interested!
I am co-organizing a session for the #EAA2026 conference in Athens on
"Cross-cultural patterns in small-scale societies: Insights from comparative ethnology"
Submit through EAA website: www.e-a-a.org/EAA2026/EAA2...
and please share with others who might be interested!
Reposted by Roope Kaaronen
For the finale of season 7, we have a new audio essay out @manymindspod.bsky.social by @kensycoop.bsky.social!
It's an exploration of names in the animal kingdom - what they are, who uses them, and why.
In case you get hooked, we've put together a separate playlist of all our essays so far. Enjoy!
It's an exploration of names in the animal kingdom - what they are, who uses them, and why.
In case you get hooked, we've put together a separate playlist of all our essays so far. Enjoy!
Many MInds – Complete Audio Essays
open.spotify.com
December 21, 2025 at 4:32 PM
For the finale of season 7, we have a new audio essay out @manymindspod.bsky.social by @kensycoop.bsky.social!
It's an exploration of names in the animal kingdom - what they are, who uses them, and why.
In case you get hooked, we've put together a separate playlist of all our essays so far. Enjoy!
It's an exploration of names in the animal kingdom - what they are, who uses them, and why.
In case you get hooked, we've put together a separate playlist of all our essays so far. Enjoy!
Reposted by Roope Kaaronen
December 18, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Reposted by Roope Kaaronen
To survive and flourish, many animal species rely on ecological knowledge. But this knowledge is not always spread across the group—it's often held by certain "keystone individuals."
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ @pbrakes.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/the-value-of...
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ @pbrakes.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/the-value-of...
December 16, 2025 at 5:00 PM
To survive and flourish, many animal species rely on ecological knowledge. But this knowledge is not always spread across the group—it's often held by certain "keystone individuals."
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ @pbrakes.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/the-value-of...
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ @pbrakes.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/the-value-of...
Reposted by Roope Kaaronen
Just in time for Christmas!🎄My third PhD-paper is now online, looking into the role of children in the world of flint during the Northern European Final Palaeolithic, together with @felixthehauskat.bsky.social, @jesperborre.bsky.social & David Matzig🪨🚸
Read here: journals.ed.ac.uk/lithicstudie...
Read here: journals.ed.ac.uk/lithicstudie...
Skills, scaling, and the role of youngsters in adaptation during the Northern European Final Palaeolithic
| Journal of Lithic Studies
journals.ed.ac.uk
December 16, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Just in time for Christmas!🎄My third PhD-paper is now online, looking into the role of children in the world of flint during the Northern European Final Palaeolithic, together with @felixthehauskat.bsky.social, @jesperborre.bsky.social & David Matzig🪨🚸
Read here: journals.ed.ac.uk/lithicstudie...
Read here: journals.ed.ac.uk/lithicstudie...
Reposted by Roope Kaaronen
New paper: Three evolutionary radiations shaped the evolution of global religious diversity
Three evolutionary radiations shaped the evolution of global religious diversity | Evolutionary Human Sciences | Cambridge Core
Three evolutionary radiations shaped the evolution of global religious diversity - Volume 7
www.cambridge.org
December 15, 2025 at 10:10 PM
New paper: Three evolutionary radiations shaped the evolution of global religious diversity
Reposted by Roope Kaaronen
Hyvää maanantaita keskiluokka!
December 15, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Hyvää maanantaita keskiluokka!
Reposted by Roope Kaaronen
UNINTERRUPTED CYCLING NETWORK.
In most cities, cycling involves a constant cycle of stop-and-go. You hit a red light, you wait for a turning truck, you yield to pedestrians. It kills the momentum.
Here in Oulu, the experience is completely different. Here’s why👇 1/3
In most cities, cycling involves a constant cycle of stop-and-go. You hit a red light, you wait for a turning truck, you yield to pedestrians. It kills the momentum.
Here in Oulu, the experience is completely different. Here’s why👇 1/3
December 14, 2025 at 6:33 AM
UNINTERRUPTED CYCLING NETWORK.
In most cities, cycling involves a constant cycle of stop-and-go. You hit a red light, you wait for a turning truck, you yield to pedestrians. It kills the momentum.
Here in Oulu, the experience is completely different. Here’s why👇 1/3
In most cities, cycling involves a constant cycle of stop-and-go. You hit a red light, you wait for a turning truck, you yield to pedestrians. It kills the momentum.
Here in Oulu, the experience is completely different. Here’s why👇 1/3
Reposted by Roope Kaaronen
Just a beautiful fold!! I hope even non-geologists can appreciate the beauty of what pressure can do to a rock. #FoldFriday #GeoscienceBluesky ⚒️🧪
December 12, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Just a beautiful fold!! I hope even non-geologists can appreciate the beauty of what pressure can do to a rock. #FoldFriday #GeoscienceBluesky ⚒️🧪
Before the miracle today ☀️, we have had on average two minutes of sunshine per day in the entire December.
Screw work, I'm going outside!
Screw work, I'm going outside!
The sun is visible in parts of Finland today. So the national news has a live stream of the sun rising in Helsinki.
Just to give you an idea what the start of this winter has been like. 😅
Just to give you an idea what the start of this winter has been like. 😅
December 12, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Before the miracle today ☀️, we have had on average two minutes of sunshine per day in the entire December.
Screw work, I'm going outside!
Screw work, I'm going outside!
Reposted by Roope Kaaronen
The sun is visible in parts of Finland today. So the national news has a live stream of the sun rising in Helsinki.
Just to give you an idea what the start of this winter has been like. 😅
Just to give you an idea what the start of this winter has been like. 😅
December 12, 2025 at 7:33 AM
The sun is visible in parts of Finland today. So the national news has a live stream of the sun rising in Helsinki.
Just to give you an idea what the start of this winter has been like. 😅
Just to give you an idea what the start of this winter has been like. 😅
Reposted by Roope Kaaronen
About 250 copies sold so far, which means I have a way to go to match "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Whatever", but I am relieved that my publisher got some return for the free editorial work he did (thank you, Ray). Not ordered your copy yet? Makes an ideal Xmas gift ...
December 10, 2025 at 10:45 AM
About 250 copies sold so far, which means I have a way to go to match "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Whatever", but I am relieved that my publisher got some return for the free editorial work he did (thank you, Ray). Not ordered your copy yet? Makes an ideal Xmas gift ...
Reposted by Roope Kaaronen
I'm teaching Statistical Rethinking again starting Jan 2026. This time with live lectures, divided into Beginner and Experienced sections. Will be a lot more work for me, but I hope much better for students.
I will record lectures & all will be found at this link: github.com/rmcelreath/s...
I will record lectures & all will be found at this link: github.com/rmcelreath/s...
December 9, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I'm teaching Statistical Rethinking again starting Jan 2026. This time with live lectures, divided into Beginner and Experienced sections. Will be a lot more work for me, but I hope much better for students.
I will record lectures & all will be found at this link: github.com/rmcelreath/s...
I will record lectures & all will be found at this link: github.com/rmcelreath/s...
Reposted by Roope Kaaronen
It asked me for my birthdate and accepted the nonsense 1915 date I used. If it gets more complex than that I’m leaving.
December 9, 2025 at 7:50 AM
It asked me for my birthdate and accepted the nonsense 1915 date I used. If it gets more complex than that I’m leaving.
Reposted by Roope Kaaronen
New episode!! 🎙️🎉
A chat w/ @pbrakes.bsky.social about animal cultures and animal conservation.
Culture was once thought to be uniquely human. No longer. We now know culture is found throughout the natural world. How does this complicate conservation?
Listen: disi.org/the-value-of...
A chat w/ @pbrakes.bsky.social about animal cultures and animal conservation.
Culture was once thought to be uniquely human. No longer. We now know culture is found throughout the natural world. How does this complicate conservation?
Listen: disi.org/the-value-of...
December 8, 2025 at 7:03 PM
New episode!! 🎙️🎉
A chat w/ @pbrakes.bsky.social about animal cultures and animal conservation.
Culture was once thought to be uniquely human. No longer. We now know culture is found throughout the natural world. How does this complicate conservation?
Listen: disi.org/the-value-of...
A chat w/ @pbrakes.bsky.social about animal cultures and animal conservation.
Culture was once thought to be uniquely human. No longer. We now know culture is found throughout the natural world. How does this complicate conservation?
Listen: disi.org/the-value-of...
Reposted by Roope Kaaronen
I was kindly invited to talk about my research at @cudanlab.bsky.social, and here's a video of that talk. And no, it's not about Steve Jobs 😄, but about evolution of the arts – 🎸📚🎨
Oleg Sobchuk @sobchuk.bsky.social
@cudanlab.bsky.social
"Evolution of Literature and the Arts."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLnZ...
@cudanlab.bsky.social
"Evolution of Literature and the Arts."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLnZ...
Oleg Sobchuk: Evolution of Literature and the Arts.
YouTube video by CUDANLab
www.youtube.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:31 PM
I was kindly invited to talk about my research at @cudanlab.bsky.social, and here's a video of that talk. And no, it's not about Steve Jobs 😄, but about evolution of the arts – 🎸📚🎨
Reposted by Roope Kaaronen
14 2y postdoc positions to rescue you from the US:
Early Career Rescue Fellowship Programme 2026
uni-tuebingen.de/fakultaeten/...
Early Career Rescue Fellowship Programme 2026
uni-tuebingen.de/fakultaeten/...
FRIAS, CoF and ZuKo: Early Career Rescue Fellowship Programme 2026
uni-tuebingen.de
December 8, 2025 at 4:06 PM
14 2y postdoc positions to rescue you from the US:
Early Career Rescue Fellowship Programme 2026
uni-tuebingen.de/fakultaeten/...
Early Career Rescue Fellowship Programme 2026
uni-tuebingen.de/fakultaeten/...
+7 °C in Helsinki several days this week, so unfortunately this doesn't seem outrageously far-fetched. Not sure what the records say, but this November-December has felt like yet another extremely warm winter.
This morning's ECMWF deterministic forecast simulates an extreme scenario: +11 °C in Finland in mid-December.
Most likely does not verify as such but gives perspective of what it possible in today's climate under the current large-scale weather pattern.
Most likely does not verify as such but gives perspective of what it possible in today's climate under the current large-scale weather pattern.
December 8, 2025 at 8:15 AM
+7 °C in Helsinki several days this week, so unfortunately this doesn't seem outrageously far-fetched. Not sure what the records say, but this November-December has felt like yet another extremely warm winter.
Reposted by Roope Kaaronen
The oldest surviving full deck of cards, known as the 'Flemish Hunting Deck' or 'Cloisters Deck', made ca. 1475-80 in the County of Flanders or the Duchy of Brabant (@metmuseum)
December 6, 2025 at 8:50 AM
The oldest surviving full deck of cards, known as the 'Flemish Hunting Deck' or 'Cloisters Deck', made ca. 1475-80 in the County of Flanders or the Duchy of Brabant (@metmuseum)
Reposted by Roope Kaaronen
"Kenen maa, kenen ääni? on ensimmäinen kokonaisesitys Suomen saamelaisten historiasta.
Hajallaan olevaa tietoa on saatettu yhteen, ja tuloksena on vähemmän tunnettu luku Suomen historiaa."
Hajallaan olevaa tietoa on saatettu yhteen, ja tuloksena on vähemmän tunnettu luku Suomen historiaa."
Arvio: Suomen saamelaisten historiasta syntyi hieno teos – joka on äärimmäisen ajankohtainen
Arvio: Suomen saamelaisten historiasta syntyi hieno teos – joka on äärimmäisen ajankohtainen
suomenkuvalehti.fi
December 6, 2025 at 9:40 AM
"Kenen maa, kenen ääni? on ensimmäinen kokonaisesitys Suomen saamelaisten historiasta.
Hajallaan olevaa tietoa on saatettu yhteen, ja tuloksena on vähemmän tunnettu luku Suomen historiaa."
Hajallaan olevaa tietoa on saatettu yhteen, ja tuloksena on vähemmän tunnettu luku Suomen historiaa."
Hyvää itsenäisyyspäivää!
🇫🇮
Happy independence day, Finland!
🇫🇮
Happy independence day, Finland!
December 6, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Hyvää itsenäisyyspäivää!
🇫🇮
Happy independence day, Finland!
🇫🇮
Happy independence day, Finland!
Reposted by Roope Kaaronen
Šiõǥǥ jiõččnažvuõttpeeiʹv!
Šiev jiečânâsvuođâpeivi!
Buori iehčanasvuođabeaivvi!
Hyvää itsenäisyyspäivää!
Šiev jiečânâsvuođâpeivi!
Buori iehčanasvuođabeaivvi!
Hyvää itsenäisyyspäivää!
December 6, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Šiõǥǥ jiõččnažvuõttpeeiʹv!
Šiev jiečânâsvuođâpeivi!
Buori iehčanasvuođabeaivvi!
Hyvää itsenäisyyspäivää!
Šiev jiečânâsvuođâpeivi!
Buori iehčanasvuođabeaivvi!
Hyvää itsenäisyyspäivää!