Links for August 2026

Shakespeare immortalized particular bear. (Reader discretion for disturbing “descriptions of horses with apes tied to their backs set upon by dogs.”) At least some bears — perhaps the fiercest, longest-enduring ones — were given names: “George Stone,” “Ned Whiting,” and the most famous, “Sackerson.” … Sackerson actually gets his own place in Shakespeare’s plays, having been written into Merry Wives of Windsor. Slender says “I have seen Sackerson loose twenty times, and have taken him by the chain” (Act I Scene 1) Where does taste come from? Why do some people love licorice while other people hate it? Why do people like what they like in general? One case study on these questions: (why do) i hate chocolate The story of a weird spasming disorder, codified thanks to Reddit. An intrepid doctor tries an experimental procedure (involving botox!) on one patient who presented with loud gurgling noises, chest and abdominal pain/distention, excessive flatulence, and inability to belch. This…