Kensy Cooperrider
@kensycoop.bsky.social
Cognitive scientist, writer, podcaster. Interested in the diversity of communication & cognition. Language, gesture, concepts, time, space, metaphor.
Host of Many Minds (@manymindspod.bsky.social)
www.kensycooperrider.com
Host of Many Minds (@manymindspod.bsky.social)
www.kensycooperrider.com
This was as good as I hoped—surprised I haven't been hearing more buzz about it!
October 1, 2025 at 5:50 PM
This was as good as I hoped—surprised I haven't been hearing more buzz about it!
10/
Naturally, I also discuss calendars that are a bit closer to contemporary ones. But even within this more familiar genre, there fun texture—e.g., the calendar sticks once common in parts of Scandinavia, or early versions of graphic calendars.
Naturally, I also discuss calendars that are a bit closer to contemporary ones. But even within this more familiar genre, there fun texture—e.g., the calendar sticks once common in parts of Scandinavia, or early versions of graphic calendars.
May 8, 2025 at 4:24 PM
10/
Naturally, I also discuss calendars that are a bit closer to contemporary ones. But even within this more familiar genre, there fun texture—e.g., the calendar sticks once common in parts of Scandinavia, or early versions of graphic calendars.
Naturally, I also discuss calendars that are a bit closer to contemporary ones. But even within this more familiar genre, there fun texture—e.g., the calendar sticks once common in parts of Scandinavia, or early versions of graphic calendars.
9/
Cultures often associated larger time chunks (years, eras) with animals or other vivid figures—presumably making the chunks more memorable. This is seen, of course, in the Chinese zodiac. Also found in the Aztec system—the four figures around the central face correspond to four major epochs.
Cultures often associated larger time chunks (years, eras) with animals or other vivid figures—presumably making the chunks more memorable. This is seen, of course, in the Chinese zodiac. Also found in the Aztec system—the four figures around the central face correspond to four major epochs.
May 8, 2025 at 4:24 PM
9/
Cultures often associated larger time chunks (years, eras) with animals or other vivid figures—presumably making the chunks more memorable. This is seen, of course, in the Chinese zodiac. Also found in the Aztec system—the four figures around the central face correspond to four major epochs.
Cultures often associated larger time chunks (years, eras) with animals or other vivid figures—presumably making the chunks more memorable. This is seen, of course, in the Chinese zodiac. Also found in the Aztec system—the four figures around the central face correspond to four major epochs.
8/
Time words are also a kind of “cognitive tool” that aids in memory and reasoning. English, e.g., has "yesterday," "today," & "tomorrow." Many indigenous languages have far more words in this days-from-today series. Here are tables showing the relevant series in Yucatec Maya and Yeli Dnye:
Time words are also a kind of “cognitive tool” that aids in memory and reasoning. English, e.g., has "yesterday," "today," & "tomorrow." Many indigenous languages have far more words in this days-from-today series. Here are tables showing the relevant series in Yucatec Maya and Yeli Dnye:
May 8, 2025 at 4:24 PM
8/
Time words are also a kind of “cognitive tool” that aids in memory and reasoning. English, e.g., has "yesterday," "today," & "tomorrow." Many indigenous languages have far more words in this days-from-today series. Here are tables showing the relevant series in Yucatec Maya and Yeli Dnye:
Time words are also a kind of “cognitive tool” that aids in memory and reasoning. English, e.g., has "yesterday," "today," & "tomorrow." Many indigenous languages have far more words in this days-from-today series. Here are tables showing the relevant series in Yucatec Maya and Yeli Dnye:
7/
A favorite example of a powerful but near-invisible time tool is queuing——discussed by Ed Hutchins (image source). When people form a queue, their spatial position preserves the order of the whole group—no individual needs to remember it, or remember anything at all, really.
A favorite example of a powerful but near-invisible time tool is queuing——discussed by Ed Hutchins (image source). When people form a queue, their spatial position preserves the order of the whole group—no individual needs to remember it, or remember anything at all, really.
May 8, 2025 at 4:24 PM
7/
A favorite example of a powerful but near-invisible time tool is queuing——discussed by Ed Hutchins (image source). When people form a queue, their spatial position preserves the order of the whole group—no individual needs to remember it, or remember anything at all, really.
A favorite example of a powerful but near-invisible time tool is queuing——discussed by Ed Hutchins (image source). When people form a queue, their spatial position preserves the order of the whole group—no individual needs to remember it, or remember anything at all, really.
6/
The hands are a flexible time tool. Over the centuries they have housed numerous time-related mnemonics. They are also sometimes used in time estimation—as in a bushcraft trick used to estimate time remaining until sunset.
The hands are a flexible time tool. Over the centuries they have housed numerous time-related mnemonics. They are also sometimes used in time estimation—as in a bushcraft trick used to estimate time remaining until sunset.
May 8, 2025 at 4:24 PM
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The hands are a flexible time tool. Over the centuries they have housed numerous time-related mnemonics. They are also sometimes used in time estimation—as in a bushcraft trick used to estimate time remaining until sunset.
The hands are a flexible time tool. Over the centuries they have housed numerous time-related mnemonics. They are also sometimes used in time estimation—as in a bushcraft trick used to estimate time remaining until sunset.
5/
The blooming of flowers has figured in time reckoning in other ways. A calendar system in the Andaman islands was structured around the succession of scents produced by blooms. (Also, not in paper but Linnaeus devised a “flower clock” based on the circadian movements of different plants).
The blooming of flowers has figured in time reckoning in other ways. A calendar system in the Andaman islands was structured around the succession of scents produced by blooms. (Also, not in paper but Linnaeus devised a “flower clock” based on the circadian movements of different plants).
May 8, 2025 at 4:24 PM
5/
The blooming of flowers has figured in time reckoning in other ways. A calendar system in the Andaman islands was structured around the succession of scents produced by blooms. (Also, not in paper but Linnaeus devised a “flower clock” based on the circadian movements of different plants).
The blooming of flowers has figured in time reckoning in other ways. A calendar system in the Andaman islands was structured around the succession of scents produced by blooms. (Also, not in paper but Linnaeus devised a “flower clock” based on the circadian movements of different plants).
4/
Many cultures tracked dozens (?) of “phenological correspondences”—correlations between events in the natural world—to aid in planning and prediction. As a case study, this paper describes 111 “calendar plants” used in this way in Southern Vanuatu. link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Many cultures tracked dozens (?) of “phenological correspondences”—correlations between events in the natural world—to aid in planning and prediction. As a case study, this paper describes 111 “calendar plants” used in this way in Southern Vanuatu. link.springer.com/article/10.1...
May 8, 2025 at 4:24 PM
4/
Many cultures tracked dozens (?) of “phenological correspondences”—correlations between events in the natural world—to aid in planning and prediction. As a case study, this paper describes 111 “calendar plants” used in this way in Southern Vanuatu. link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Many cultures tracked dozens (?) of “phenological correspondences”—correlations between events in the natural world—to aid in planning and prediction. As a case study, this paper describes 111 “calendar plants” used in this way in Southern Vanuatu. link.springer.com/article/10.1...
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A related practice was to create coordination devices. You distributed copies of simple artifact with identical numbers of markers (knots, pegs, etc.) to people attending a future event. Everyone removes one marker each morning; the event is due to occur on the day the last marker is removed.
A related practice was to create coordination devices. You distributed copies of simple artifact with identical numbers of markers (knots, pegs, etc.) to people attending a future event. Everyone removes one marker each morning; the event is due to occur on the day the last marker is removed.
May 8, 2025 at 4:24 PM
3/
A related practice was to create coordination devices. You distributed copies of simple artifact with identical numbers of markers (knots, pegs, etc.) to people attending a future event. Everyone removes one marker each morning; the event is due to occur on the day the last marker is removed.
A related practice was to create coordination devices. You distributed copies of simple artifact with identical numbers of markers (knots, pegs, etc.) to people attending a future event. Everyone removes one marker each morning; the event is due to occur on the day the last marker is removed.
2/
Knots were widely used for tracking time. In parts of Africa it was common to keep “pregnancy calendars”. At the start of pregnancy, you tie a series of knots (presumably 9-ish) into a string. Each new moon you untie a knot; when the last knot is untied, you know the baby is imminent.
Knots were widely used for tracking time. In parts of Africa it was common to keep “pregnancy calendars”. At the start of pregnancy, you tie a series of knots (presumably 9-ish) into a string. Each new moon you untie a knot; when the last knot is untied, you know the baby is imminent.
May 8, 2025 at 4:24 PM
2/
Knots were widely used for tracking time. In parts of Africa it was common to keep “pregnancy calendars”. At the start of pregnancy, you tie a series of knots (presumably 9-ish) into a string. Each new moon you untie a knot; when the last knot is untied, you know the baby is imminent.
Knots were widely used for tracking time. In parts of Africa it was common to keep “pregnancy calendars”. At the start of pregnancy, you tie a series of knots (presumably 9-ish) into a string. Each new moon you untie a knot; when the last knot is untied, you know the baby is imminent.
1/
In some parts of the world people used a nearby mountain ridge as "calendar." The idea is that, over the course of a year, the location of the sunrise systematically traverses a ridge, doubling back on the solstices. Notches in the ridge provide timepoints in the year. Two from New Guinea:
In some parts of the world people used a nearby mountain ridge as "calendar." The idea is that, over the course of a year, the location of the sunrise systematically traverses a ridge, doubling back on the solstices. Notches in the ridge provide timepoints in the year. Two from New Guinea:
May 8, 2025 at 4:24 PM
1/
In some parts of the world people used a nearby mountain ridge as "calendar." The idea is that, over the course of a year, the location of the sunrise systematically traverses a ridge, doubling back on the solstices. Notches in the ridge provide timepoints in the year. Two from New Guinea:
In some parts of the world people used a nearby mountain ridge as "calendar." The idea is that, over the course of a year, the location of the sunrise systematically traverses a ridge, doubling back on the solstices. Notches in the ridge provide timepoints in the year. Two from New Guinea:
Link (open access): onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
May 2, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Link (open access): onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
How are humans able to make sense of time? Not with special biology but with “time tools”—ideas, practices, and artifacts that render time more concrete.
My new paper explores this vast, varied toolkit—one that makes use of knots, nuts, hands, flowers, mountains, shadows, and much more.
(link 👇)
My new paper explores this vast, varied toolkit—one that makes use of knots, nuts, hands, flowers, mountains, shadows, and much more.
(link 👇)
May 2, 2025 at 4:51 PM
How are humans able to make sense of time? Not with special biology but with “time tools”—ideas, practices, and artifacts that render time more concrete.
My new paper explores this vast, varied toolkit—one that makes use of knots, nuts, hands, flowers, mountains, shadows, and much more.
(link 👇)
My new paper explores this vast, varied toolkit—one that makes use of knots, nuts, hands, flowers, mountains, shadows, and much more.
(link 👇)
Some weaverbird knots and stitches.
November 26, 2024 at 5:48 PM
Some weaverbird knots and stitches.
New preprint!! 📣📣
A review of gesture in New Guinea, covering: pointing, emblems, time gestures, body count systems, and facial expressions.
The region remains woefully under-documented, but there are still plenty of intriguing observations.
osf.io/preprints/ps...
A review of gesture in New Guinea, covering: pointing, emblems, time gestures, body count systems, and facial expressions.
The region remains woefully under-documented, but there are still plenty of intriguing observations.
osf.io/preprints/ps...
October 3, 2024 at 5:16 PM
New preprint!! 📣📣
A review of gesture in New Guinea, covering: pointing, emblems, time gestures, body count systems, and facial expressions.
The region remains woefully under-documented, but there are still plenty of intriguing observations.
osf.io/preprints/ps...
A review of gesture in New Guinea, covering: pointing, emblems, time gestures, body count systems, and facial expressions.
The region remains woefully under-documented, but there are still plenty of intriguing observations.
osf.io/preprints/ps...
New preprint!! 🎉🎉
I'm usually beating the "pointing is more diverse than you think" drum. Here I argue that, in all its diversity, pointing follows a universal design template that has gone largely unnoticed.
👉👉 osf.io/preprints/ps...
(Comments welcome!)
I'm usually beating the "pointing is more diverse than you think" drum. Here I argue that, in all its diversity, pointing follows a universal design template that has gone largely unnoticed.
👉👉 osf.io/preprints/ps...
(Comments welcome!)
May 31, 2024 at 4:19 PM
New preprint!! 🎉🎉
I'm usually beating the "pointing is more diverse than you think" drum. Here I argue that, in all its diversity, pointing follows a universal design template that has gone largely unnoticed.
👉👉 osf.io/preprints/ps...
(Comments welcome!)
I'm usually beating the "pointing is more diverse than you think" drum. Here I argue that, in all its diversity, pointing follows a universal design template that has gone largely unnoticed.
👉👉 osf.io/preprints/ps...
(Comments welcome!)
Excited to (finally!) share the published version of my 15-part, amply illustrated, curio-packed essay on the human pointing gesture.
In short: pointing contains multitudes. journals.lub.lu.se/pjos/article...
In short: pointing contains multitudes. journals.lub.lu.se/pjos/article...
February 12, 2024 at 6:49 PM
Excited to (finally!) share the published version of my 15-part, amply illustrated, curio-packed essay on the human pointing gesture.
In short: pointing contains multitudes. journals.lub.lu.se/pjos/article...
In short: pointing contains multitudes. journals.lub.lu.se/pjos/article...
Dispatch from the cactus garden: a Stapelia gigantea bloom. It's an incredible "carrion mimic"—resembles rotting flesh in color, "fur", and smell!
November 12, 2024 at 10:38 AM
Dispatch from the cactus garden: a Stapelia gigantea bloom. It's an incredible "carrion mimic"—resembles rotting flesh in color, "fur", and smell!
A little (re-)reading project just got underway.
November 12, 2024 at 10:38 AM
A little (re-)reading project just got underway.
Scenes from a magical week of hill-walking, berry-feasting, mushroom-hunting, and forest-bathing in the Scottish Highlands.
November 12, 2024 at 10:38 AM
Scenes from a magical week of hill-walking, berry-feasting, mushroom-hunting, and forest-bathing in the Scottish Highlands.
And I do think we might have hit a new record on my "sticky index."
November 12, 2024 at 10:47 AM
And I do think we might have hit a new record on my "sticky index."
This one has everything you could want in a science book, in glorious abundance: astonishing phenomena, lucid explanations, big ideas, memorable metaphors. (And humor—don't skip the footnotes!)
Bravo @edyong209!
Bravo @edyong209!
November 12, 2024 at 10:38 AM
This one has everything you could want in a science book, in glorious abundance: astonishing phenomena, lucid explanations, big ideas, memorable metaphors. (And humor—don't skip the footnotes!)
Bravo @edyong209!
Bravo @edyong209!
Favorite find from my recent dive into hand mnemonics: a 16th-century French system for keeping track of which months are long/short.
The system starts with March on the thumb, makes two L to R sweeps across, and ends with February on the index. https://bit.ly/3Ohxl67
1/
The system starts with March on the thumb, makes two L to R sweeps across, and ends with February on the index. https://bit.ly/3Ohxl67
1/
November 12, 2024 at 10:38 AM
Favorite find from my recent dive into hand mnemonics: a 16th-century French system for keeping track of which months are long/short.
The system starts with March on the thumb, makes two L to R sweeps across, and ends with February on the index. https://bit.ly/3Ohxl67
1/
The system starts with March on the thumb, makes two L to R sweeps across, and ends with February on the index. https://bit.ly/3Ohxl67
1/
The figure appears to be clasping together two right hands. Another Assyrian example (left) with same posture.
Apparently this kind of "doubling" is quite common in ancient Egyptian art—the figure at right has two left hands.
The question: Due to intention or inattention?
Apparently this kind of "doubling" is quite common in ancient Egyptian art—the figure at right has two left hands.
The question: Due to intention or inattention?
November 12, 2024 at 10:58 AM
The figure appears to be clasping together two right hands. Another Assyrian example (left) with same posture.
Apparently this kind of "doubling" is quite common in ancient Egyptian art—the figure at right has two left hands.
The question: Due to intention or inattention?
Apparently this kind of "doubling" is quite common in ancient Egyptian art—the figure at right has two left hands.
The question: Due to intention or inattention?
A selection of hands from the Assyrian reliefs (~900–600 BC) on display at the Getty Villa.
November 12, 2024 at 10:38 AM
A selection of hands from the Assyrian reliefs (~900–600 BC) on display at the Getty Villa.