Replying to @⁨Insekticus@aussie.zone⁩

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demon_core

The demon core was a sphere of plutonium–gallium alloy that was involved in two fatal radiation accidents when scientists tested it as a fissile core of an early atomic bomb.

Scientists referred to this flirtation with a nuclear chain reaction as “tickling the dragon’s tail”, based on a remark by physicist Richard Feynman.[12][13]

It was a case of an unfortunate mistranslation due to the lack of awareness among historians about the thriving scalie scene at the Manhattan Project.

Replying to @⁨Thebeardedsinglemalt@lemmy.world⁩

Yeah, honestly, you could go way further back.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus_figurine

A Venus figurine is any Upper Palaeolithic statue portraying a woman, usually carved in the round.[1] Most have been unearthed in Europe, but others have been found as far away as Siberia and distributed across much of Eurasia.

Most date from the Gravettian period (26,000–21,000 years ago).[1] However, findings are not limited to this period; for example, the Venus of Hohle Fels dates back at least 35,000 years…

For context, we figured out agriculture and started to move away from hunter-gatherer life about 12,000 years ago.

These figurines are recognised as some of the earliest works of prehistoric art.

Most have wide hips and legs that taper to a point. Arms and feet are often absent, and the head is usually small and faceless. Various figurines exaggerate the abdomen, hips, breasts, thighs, or vulva, although many found examples do not reflect these typical characteristics. Depictions of hairstyles can be detailed, and clothing or tattoos may be indicated.[5]

The original cultural meaning and purpose of these artefacts is not known. It has frequently been suggested that they may have served a ritual or symbolic function.

I have a guess.