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https://nerdist.com/article/octopuses-throw-things-at-each-other/
Don’t make me come back there! Scientists have observed octopuses acting like siblings in the backseat of a car on a long road trip, throwing things at each other and playing the “I’m not touching you” game as well as any human. The gloomy octopus is generally solitary, but a lot of them live in Jervis Bay, Australia. This consortium of octopuses (yes, that is the collective noun) seem to get annoyed with the high density accommodations and toss silt at each other. It is not a neighborly thing to do and we’re sure Mr. Rogers would not approve.
Scientists watched more than 20 hours of octopus videos and found that there’s as much drama in Jervis Bay as on any Real Housewives show. Octopuses are very smart, sentient creatures. Though it’s easy to anthropomorphize that they squabble with their neighbors when they get too close, the team worked to understand the purpose behind the behavior. They rated each throw in order to identify the purpose behind it. They found that the octopus’ body was generally a uniform color versus mottled when they threw silt at their neighbor. Octopuses can change their coloration quickly depending on their mood and camouflage needs. The scientists also rated how vigorous the throw was and noticed that the other octopus sometimes ducked.
Octopuses do toss shells, silt, and algae to clear space for themselves but the scientists are pretty sure they also direct it towards nearby octopuses on purpose. Some even threw things at the camera when it was set up too close to their den. Though it’s not actually a throw using their arms. Rather, they toss items away by pushing water through their siphon.
The scientists shared their research in the open access peer-reviewed PLoS ONE. The paper, titled “In the line of fire: Debris throwing by wild octopuses,” includes video of these interactions. We first saw the news in Nature.
Melissa is Nerdist’s science & technology staff writer. She also moderates “science of” panels at conventions and co-hosts Star Warsologies, a podcast about science and Star Wars. Follow her on Twitter @melissatruth.
The post Octopuses Throw Things at Each Other Like Feuding Siblings appeared first on Nerdist.
Don’t make me come back there! Scientists have observed octopuses acting like siblings in the backseat of a car on a long road trip, throwing things at each other and playing the “I’m not touching you” game as well as any human. The gloomy octopus is generally solitary, but a lot of them live in Jervis Bay, Australia. This consortium of octopuses (yes, that is the collective noun) seem to get annoyed with the high density accommodations and toss silt at each other. It is not a neighborly thing to do and we’re sure Mr. Rogers would not approve.
Scientists watched more than 20 hours of octopus videos and found that there’s as much drama in Jervis Bay as on any Real Housewives show. Octopuses are very smart, sentient creatures. Though it’s easy to anthropomorphize that they squabble with their neighbors when they get too close, the team worked to understand the purpose behind the behavior. They rated each throw in order to identify the purpose behind it. They found that the octopus’ body was generally a uniform color versus mottled when they threw silt at their neighbor. Octopuses can change their coloration quickly depending on their mood and camouflage needs. The scientists also rated how vigorous the throw was and noticed that the other octopus sometimes ducked.
Octopuses do toss shells, silt, and algae to clear space for themselves but the scientists are pretty sure they also direct it towards nearby octopuses on purpose. Some even threw things at the camera when it was set up too close to their den. Though it’s not actually a throw using their arms. Rather, they toss items away by pushing water through their siphon.
The scientists shared their research in the open access peer-reviewed PLoS ONE. The paper, titled “In the line of fire: Debris throwing by wild octopuses,” includes video of these interactions. We first saw the news in Nature.
Melissa is Nerdist’s science & technology staff writer. She also moderates “science of” panels at conventions and co-hosts Star Warsologies, a podcast about science and Star Wars. Follow her on Twitter @melissatruth.
The post Octopuses Throw Things at Each Other Like Feuding Siblings appeared first on Nerdist.
The Dora Milaje are the most elite fighting force in Wakanda, an army of women loyal to the death to their kingdom’s ruler. These elite bodyguards have existed in the comics since the late ‘90s, and have become pop culture icons since their introduction in the MCU. But as Black Panther: Wakanda Forever revealed, there is an elite force within the elite force: the Midnight Angels. They were one of the definite highlights of the film.
If the Dora Milaje of Wakanda are the best warriors on Earth, then the Midnight Angels are the best of the best of them. While the Dora exist to protect the sovereign, the Midnight Angels protect the people of the kingdom and the people’s best interests—sometimes against what the royal family wants. Here is the Marvel Comics history of the Midnight Angels and how it ties into their MCU counterparts.
Marvel Created the Midnight Angels to Fight Dr. Doom
The elite group first appeared in Doomwar #5, back in 2010. The creative team of Jonathan Maberry and Scott Eaton created them. The Doomwar story centered on Dr. Doom attempting to steal all the vibranium from Wakanda. King T’Challa originally formed the group, hoping his elite strike team could take out Doom themselves (with a little help from Deadpool).
The Midnight Angels wore winged stealth suits, and carried electric weapons. They gave the wearer advanced abilities, like strength and agility, along with flight. They, of course, made all their suits of pure vibranium. The Midnight Angels all communicated with one another through their Kimoyo beads, and responded to direct threats to the Wakandan royals. In the pages of the comics, their headmistress Zola trained them, and among their most prominent members were Dora Milajemembers like Ayo and Aneka. They went on covert missions aboard their own Avengers-like Quinjet, which they called the Dagger.
Dora Milaje Gone Rogue
In the comics, Aneka and Ayo began to have issues with T’Challa and the royal family—particularly with some of the decisions they made. Aneka took justice into her own hands against a terrible tribal warlord, killing him. Because she went against the code of the Dora, they stripped the Dora Milaje title from her and imprisoned her. But her fellow Dora and love, Ayo, stole the prototype armor, and busted her out of jail. The couple became a new Midnight Angels squad, and swore to protect Wakandans without the backing of the royal family.
The Midnight Angels in the MCU
In Wakanda Forever, the Midnight Angels have a very similar look and backstory. Shuri was developing a new armor called Midnight Angel at the start of the film. When the second attack from Namor and his Talocan forces happens on Wakanda, we see the armor in action. Unlike the comics though, it was not Aneka or Ayo who wore it first. The movie gave much of Aneka’s comic book arc—her being stripped of her rank and disgraced, and then becoming a Midnight Angel—to Okoye. Although, Aneka and Ayo are still a part of the story and get to wear Midnight Angel armor, their main story beats go to the general.
At the end of Wakanda Forever, it appears Okoye still has the Midnight Angel armor. We see her bust Everett Ross out of incarceration wearing it. It’s likely that when she gets her own series or film, as has been announced, the title will be Midnight Angel, and we’ll see her in the armor again. Given that Okoye called the armor “ugly,” we imagine it will get an upgrade or two. We think she’s earned whatever armor upgrades she wants.
The post Who Are BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER’s Midnight Angels in the Comics? appeared first on Nerdist.
When it comes to action movies, I prefer movies that show women throwing punches, flipping off walls, and fighting for what they believe in. Watching films where women aren’t the damsel in distress is inspiring as well as entertaining.
Besides being enjoyable to watch, female action heroes and villains show viewers that it’s okay for women to be strong, smart, and sexy. With all this being said, here’s my list of 9 Black female superheroes and villains and why every woman should look up to them.
The heroes
- Danai Gurira as Okoye in Black Panther
Okoye’s loyalty is one of the many reasons I admire Danai Gurira’s character from Black Panther. Without overlooking her impeccable fighting skills, such as catapulting a spear while standing on top of a moving car to successfully stop a runaway van, her loyalty is what makes her unique. It’s her willingness to fight for Wakanda until the very end. She reminds us all that it’s not always about winning or losing but how you fight.
- Viola Davis as General Nanisca in The Woman King
Being a fan of the Dora Milaje in Black Panther, my heart did a backflip when the cinematic world gifted us with another opportunity to watch an all-woman army on the big screen. Although the history of the Agojie army is not accurately told in the movie, right now I want to appreciate the film for its cinematic value.
In the film, award-winning actor Viola Davis plays the leading role of the fierce General Nanisca. This character was much more than her killer instincts and deadly fighting moves.
As Quinn Clarke wrote in an article in Collider.com that Nanisca had suffered from trauma and no amount of fighting and bloodshed could make that pain go away. It’s when she learns to feel the pain instead of numbing it that she becomes a truly unstoppable warrior.
This character reminds us that there are times to be warriors and fight, but fighting can’t heal all wounds.
- Pam Grier in Foxy Brown
Although I didn’t grow up watching the hit 1970s show Foxy Brown, I have formed an appreciation for this character even though she was before my time. For those unfamiliar Pam Grier’s character, Foxy Brown not only created the path for other Black female action stars but she did it in a unique and foxy way. She was all-encompassing, clever, sassy, and a fighter. Foxy Brown reminds every woman watching that you don’t have to fit into any box and that being a woman, especially a Black woman, is multi-faceted.
- Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau in WandaVision
I was charmed by Monica Rambeau when she made her first appearance as a spunky and loveable daughter in Captain Marvel. When they reintroduced the older version of her in Disney+’s Wanda Vision, I was ready to watch her story unfold.
Although Teyonah Parris wasn’t in every episode and did get sidelined a few times, the way she portrayed this resilient character drew me in whenever she appeared on the screen. What stood out to me about Rambeau was that she genuinely saw the good in people, particularly Wanda Maximoff.
Yes, Maximoff did make some questionable decisions, but Rambeau saw the pain that Maximoff was trying to mask with her abilities. Rambeau’s compassion was so strong that even after she got blasted through an entire town and across a supercharged barrier, she still wanted to help.
In the series, we only get to see a glimpse of her new capabilities but I’m excited to see her step into her new power.
- Zazie Beetz as Stagecoach Mary in The Harder They Fall
I loved Zazie Beetz in this Netflix original because she played a fighter. The role played to her femininity with a wardrobe of corsets and dresses, yet she was not afraid to take a punch or punch back.
Although she delivered a great performance, it’s important to note the controversy around Beetz, a lighter-skinned actor playing the role of the actual Stagecoach Mary, who was of a darker complexion and different body type. All is said and done, but I’d hope that Beetz considers her advantage as a light-skinned actor more when accepting future roles.
Nonetheless, she did do a killer performance in Deadpool 2.
- Tessa Thompson as King Valkyrie in Thor: Ragnarok and Love and Thunder
King Valkyrie quickly became one of my favorite characters after her appearance in Thor Ragnarok (aka the best out of the four Thor movies). I appreciated the character’s transformation from being a drunk and slightly depressed warrior to ultimately doing the right thing, which was saving Asgard and helping out a friend.
Watching Tessa Thompson on the big screen made my heart jump every time I saw her riding through on her horse ready to demolish anything and anyone that stands in her way.
The villains
We all know villains are perceived as bad, but there are advantages to being evil. These hero counterparts don’t let anyone boss them around and they get what they want. Even though their reign of power eventually comes to a halt, I’ll still root for Black female villains before their evil streak ends.
- Emmy Raver-Lampman as Allison in The Umbrella Academy
Allison is the loveable sister of The Umbrella Academy. In the first two seasons, she always tried to keep the peace and look out for her siblings. She also puts everyone else’s needs in front of her personal needs and desires. Then in Season 3, things turned dark and Allison went from a hero to a villain. After committing a vengeful murder, Allison showed us that nothing would stop her.
Driven by grief, she continues to do questionable acts but ultimately saves everyone and gets the one thing she’s wanted since Season 1, which was to reunite with her family. Maybe being the bad guy isn’t the worst thing.
- Aaliyah as Queen Akasha in Queen of the Damned
Being a fan of the Anne Rice Vampire series, I was thrilled that Aaliyah transformed herself from a pop star to a fierce queen of the night in the movie Queen of the Damned. This role consisted of elaborate costumes, and sultry vampire movements in order to portray the very first vampire. Aaliyah was quoted saying to ET, “Akasha’s very regal. Very grand. A lot of great costumes. She’s sexy, but she’s evil.”
If it wasn’t for her tragic accident, I’m sure we would have seen Aaliyah in many more roles.
- Regina King as Gertrude “Trudy” Smith in The Harder They Fall
Trudy Smith is a ruthless character who is based on a real person. This historic figure gave Regina King the opportunity to play a new role. King told Oprah Daily, “I’ve never really gotten a chance to be a baddie.” Although Smith is a villain, her intentions are good. King portrays this role as a woman who doesn’t put up with disrespect of any kind.
This is just a short list and there are many more heroes and villains to admire. As the cinematic world is becoming more diverse and showing more characters from different cultures and backgrounds, I’m excited to see how the list of Black superheroes and villains grows with time.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever certainly deals with a lot of its past and present. From the ramifications of making itself known to the world to the aftermath of losing its beloved King, there’s a lot to explore alongside its action. But, as is the case with most Marvel offerings, the film also prepares us for the future. It is the final project in Phase 4, so of course it lays groundwork for the next chapter in the ongoing saga of the MCU. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever introduces Riri Williams, also known as Ironheart, and sets the stage for her Disney+ series in a wonderful way.
The film serves as almost a backdoor pilot for Riri Williams, introducing her to the live-action world. She’s a 19-year-old computer and engineering wiz MIT student (so she gets an age bump from the comics). Riri is also a hustler who uses her genius intellect to do her fellow students’ homework for money. She’s also not above blackmailing them to get a better fee. She might be young, but she’s tough enough to stand up to Okoye, fight the police, and go into battle.
As expected, she’s also a major Iron Man fan who builds her own secretive suit. But her skills as an engineer also put her life in peril. Ironheart finds herself on the wrong side of Namor and the Talokans. To spite a professor, she builds a machine that can detect vibranium, the only such device in the world. Like Tony Stark did long ago in a cave, it’s partly made out of scraps, showing just how much she learned toying around in her late father’s garage as a kid.
As a result, Namor wants to find Riri and kill her because, well, he doesn’t want anyone sniffing around the ocean for the valuable substance. The search for vibranium could lead to the discovery and destruction of his underwater world.
That’s how Riri comes under the care and camaraderie of Wakanda and Shuri, a comic connection that forms an undeniable bond. Their first major interaction leads to us seeing a cool early version of Riri’s Ironheart suit in action. In Wakanda, Riri uses the country’s tech to make an improved, far more stylish suit that she takes into battle. However, at the end of the film Shuri makes Riri leave the new iron suit behind. But while her original vibranium detector is destroyed in the film, the CIA knows Riri is the only one who can build one. She might be safe from Talokan for now, but likely not from her own government.
Ironheart and Her MCU Future
The Ironheart series will debut sometime in fall 2023, close to a year after Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. However, it seems that Ironheart will be a direct continuation of Riri Williams’ story. Her TV introduction certainly won’t be like Ms. Marvel’s, where her entire path from regular kid to hero took place on-screen. We will already have a foundational knowledge of who she is in the MCU and the very real journey she’s about to take.
In the comics, we see Riri taking a step back from being a hero, yet getting into the mix of an investigation alongside N.A.T.A.L.I.E. The details of that lead her back into the suit and eventually into a collective of young heroes. Riri’s first trip to Wakanda certainly isn’t her last, but that’s not likely in her television show. It’s up in the air how things will go and what new suits Ironheart will possibly build. (I am personally holding out hope for her pink one to make an appearance.) Until then, we can take joy in knowing that Black girls are shining in the Marvel Universe.
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