Ecology of Science

A metascientific framework that studies science as an ecological system—a complex, interdependent network of organisms (scientists), populations (disciplines), communities (fields), and environments (institutions, funding landscapes, social contexts). The ecology of science examines how scientific niches emerge and evolve, how resources (funding, attention, prestige) flow through the system, how competition and cooperation shape research agendas, how species (theories, methods, paradigms) adapt or go extinct, and how disturbances (discoveries, scandals, funding shifts) ripple through the ecosystem. It reveals that scientific change is not just rational progress but ecological succession—driven by interactions between organisms and their environments, by adaptation and selection, by the same dynamics that shape any living system. The ecology of science treats laboratories as habitats, journals as ecosystems, and scientific communities as biomes, each with its own internal dynamics and relationships to the larger environment.

Example: "Her ecology of science analysis showed how the rise of molecular biology created a new niche that drew resources away from traditional organismal biology—not because molecular biology was better, but because it occupied a new ecological space that flourished in the changing funding environment."

Ecology of Science by Dumu The Void March 16, 2026

sans sheriff 

Lawless use of fonts or typography, with no regard to aesthetics or legibility

I'm putting this CV straight in the bin. Written totally sans sheriff.

sans sheriff by Jamarley July 3, 2019

Breadhead 

Someone who is addicted to obtaining money and building wealth. A money addict and fanatic. Breadheads often work more than one full-time job, and some even participate in illicit activities to "obtain the bread".

A breadhead is like a crackhead, but for money instead of crack.

Breadhead by 🅱️ U S 3 4 8 March 30, 2022

Stink lines

As seen in illustrations or cartoons: Wavy, vertical lines rising above a person, place or thing. Denotes a foul odor.

"You didn't put enough stink lines on your picture of the teacher."

Stink lines by Athene Airheart March 14, 2004

schmegegge 

Yiddish slang word meaning bullshit, baloney, hogwash, nonsense, crock of shit or hot air.

I don't buy the schmegegge about Morty sleeping with Moira.
His version of the story was pure schmegegge.
The whole schmegegge was made up to get Liz a little bit of attention.

schmegegge by budsbabe February 1, 2008

eye bleach 

Looking or experiencing something nice after witnessing something horrid like a disgusting gif or a disturbing video. Typically used as eye bleach are nice images of whatever makes the disturbed person happy.

"Bleach my eyes! Why is that woman's face ripped off!?"
*Looks up images of puppies and kittens.*
"That's good eye bleach."

eye bleach by Rini2012 November 29, 2016

Stroad

Noun. Portmanteau of "street" and "road": it describes a street, er, road, built for high speed, but with multiple access points. Excessive width is a common feature. A common feature in suburbia, especially along commercial strips. Unsafe at any speed, their extreme width and straightness paradoxically induces speeding. Somewhat more neutral than synonymous traffic sewer.

Did you see what the traffic engineers want to do to our street? They're going to turn it into a total stroad!

Stroad by hammersklavier February 21, 2012