Out At The Edge of The Scenting Universe Wondering What it All Means
Ed Yong recently wrote a book titled, An Immense World, about the difficulties inherent in trying to imagine what it's like to be an animal other than a human (spoiler alert: we suuuuuck at accepting the validity of other animals' experiences). At the heart of the book is the concept of Umwelt, or self-centered world.... Continue Reading →
My family and I hurry through the doors of the Wayzata Central Middle School, helped along by an icy late November breeze. It's the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and we're not there for a sporting event or a play, we're there to see the Wayzata Symphony Orchestra. When we lived in Los Angeles, I would regularly... Continue Reading →
Independence & teamwork. The buzz words of the scent work world. I and countless others have written or presented on both topics. When I mingle with a group of scent work folks and their dogs, I get the sense that most of us believe we have lovingly and purposefully (and/or carefully & skillfully) built a... Continue Reading →
Impromptu post here! A few nights ago I found myself up late in the basement with a marble rye & peanut butter snack, munching with one hand, holding two furry four-legged invaders off with two feet, and surfing the streaming services for a decent exorcism movie (pairs great with peanut butter toast - hard for... Continue Reading →
In many ways, we could call scent work, Texas Sniff'em. Much like poker, scent work is a game of imperfect information, and decision making under uncertainty. The official creating the search has given you some amount of information about the search - in some cases, information that can be deceptive, like 5 minutes to search... Continue Reading →
What is that feeling you get when your dog works like the Dickens to find a hide that you swear should be well below his pay grade? Utter despair? It's like watching a pro football player drop a perfect pass with no defender in sight. Sometimes, shit happens. Well, sure. But, what is that shit?... Continue Reading →
Lao Tsu (or Tzu) likely wrote the Tao Te Ching (pronounced dow-duh-jing) over 2 millennia ago, yet his passages are timeless, providing insight into human nature and the cause and effect of our thoughts and actions in the greater world. Taoism, springing forth from the Tao Te Ching, is considered by some to share principles... Continue Reading →
Once in a while I will visit our local Goodwill store and browse the bookshelves in the back left corner of the warehouse. By browse, I mean systematically scan every spine on every shelf. This means I tilt my right ear towards the floor in an effort to align my eyes vertically with the book... Continue Reading →
Algorithms. What are they? Some might say they are the songs that made Einstein move (Al-go-rhythms). Others might say they are the nefarious micro minions in your phone, tablet or TV that serve you up viewing suggestions you never knew you wanted, but have to admit you do (hello every British baking show ever). Whatever... Continue Reading →
Kenneth Deffeyes? Did I make that name up? You must know Kenneth Deffeyes! He's that popular geologist you're always seeing on the socials and in the media. Said no one. Ever. (sorry, Ken. Also, RIP, sir) I discovered Professor Deffeyes in the John McPhee book, Basin and Range, but you may have heard of the... Continue Reading →
Sniff This Blog 