Draw a Dinosaur Day and Other Dinosaur News
Draw a Dinosaur Day
Calling all artists! ART Evolved is spreading the word about “Draw a Dinosaur Day,” which will be celebrated tomorrow, January 30th. Check out the official website to see the entries.
Reporting on Dinosaur Stories
Tired of inaccurate dinosaur reporting in the media? David Hone at Archosaur Musings has written a comprehensive guide for journalists. One of his key tips: avoid creating false controversies by seeking out contradictory quotes. Science is about consensus, not balance, so finding an alternative viewpoint doesn’t necessarily make the reporting better.
The Year in Dinosaurs and Paleontology
The Paleo King offers a retrospective of the best and worst in dinosaurs and paleontology from 2009.
DIY Dinosaur Vertebra
Have some scissors and glue? Mike Taylor at SV-POW! shows you how to make your own brachiosaurid cervical vertebra.
Biostratigraphy: A Geologist’s Tool
Biostratigraphy is a technique that geologists use to determine the relative ages of rock strata by studying the fossils they contain. However, as Walcott’s Quarry illustrates, this technique can be traumatizing for trilobites.
Dinosaur Pilgrimage in Texas
Chinleana made a pilgrimage to the small Texas town of Spur, drawn by an impressive painting of an aetosaur on the side of the local history museum. For someone who has spent years researching these animals, visiting the area where the original specimens were collected was a thrilling experience.
Jurassic Parka: The Latest Paleo-Fashion
Dinochick highlights the must-have paleo-fashion item: the Jurassic Parka.
Triceracopter: A Symbol of Peace
Love in the Time of Chasmosaurs spotlights a fascinating sculpture called “Triceracopter: Hope for the Obsolescence of War.” This sculpture melds the body of a decommissioned helicopter with a fiberglass Triceratops head and limbs. The artist intended to challenge the outdated view of dinosaurs as failed monstrosities.
Dinosaurs in Sci-Fi and Monster Movies
Asher Elbein argues that the most effective creatures in sci-fi and monster movies are those that draw inspiration from paleontology. Things that look prehistoric, like pterosaurs or theropods, resonate with audiences on a deep level. This is because dinosaurs are fundamentally alien to us, even when they seem familiar.
Mountain Banshees: Avatar’s Prehistoric Inspiration
The pterosaur-inspired “Mountain Banshees” in the blockbuster film Avatar are a testament to the power of paleontology in inspiring sci-fi creations. Creatures that take their cues from prehistoric animals seem more impressive to audiences, even if they can’t explain why.