WHAT IS A MEME, ANYWAY?

A sandbox is not a cube with sand: 10 Internet slang words explained

Published on December 22, 2024

Image: Onur Binay

Each niche of human culture and experience creates its own lingo, with unique expressions to describe the interactions and objects that define its universe. But, being a realm populated mostly by the younger generations, the internet has been brave and unceremonious enough to borrow its slang from various sources. In the online world, a sandbox is not a cube full of sand for the children to play in, and a troll is not a mythical creature to be afraid of. So, scroll on, and discover 10 of these borrowed words that mean different things in the real world and the land of the internet.

Bump

Image: Armin Babakhani

While, in the real world, a bump is an obstacle of some sort, in the online world, the term "bump" refers to the action of moving an online post or thread to the top of the list by adding a new comment or post to the thread.

This is done to make that post or thread more visible and readily available for everyone.

Block

Image: Dillon Winspear

A word with a similar meaning to bump in the real world, but a very different meaning online, is "block". When we block something or someone in the real world, we are placing an obstacle in the middle of a road or passage, to prevent people or things from passing through.

But when we are referring to the action of blocking someone online, we're talking about preventing someone from contacting you on a social network like Facebook, or from viewing your profile. So, in this case, not quite the same but similar.

Catfish

Image: Will Turner

The bottom-dwelling freshwater or marine fish with whisker-like barbels around the mouth, commonly known as a catfish, has no idea that humans call it that way. And even less so, does it know that his name has a completely different meaning on the internet?

In the online world, a "catfish" is a person who sets up a false personal profile on a social networking site for fraudulent or deceptive purposes.

Cloud

Image: Emmanuel Appiah

In case somebody needs a reminder, a cloud is a visible mass of condensed vapor particles (such as water or ice) suspended in a planet's atmosphere. It is, without exaggeration, as famous as the sun.

However, in the internet world, a "cloud" is something entirely different, even if there is a poetic resemblance between the two things. The digital version of a cloud is any of several parts of the internet that allow online processing and storage of documents and data as well as electronic access to software and other resources.

Friend

Image: Matheus Ferrero

Perhaps one of the most beautiful words in the English language, friend symbolizes a bond between two people who are connected to one another by affection or esteem.

But in the realm of the internet, "friend" is an action that involves adding a person to one’s list of contacts on a social networking site. Again, not entirely dissimilar, but not quite the same thing.

Follow

Image: Sarah Kilian

This one might not be so different after all. In the real world, the act of following means going, coming after, or behind someone or something.

And, in the internet world, to "follow" someone means subscribing to their updates on social media. Therefore, it could be argued that following someone isn't all that different in both instances.

Meme

Image: Crystal Mapes

Even though a meme was never a wildly popular concept in the real world, pre-internet, it was still a real idea. A meme is an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture.

However, in the realm of the internet, a "meme" is a cultural item in the form of an image, video, phrase, etc., that spreads online and is often altered creatively or humorously. In both cases, a meme is a concept that is replicated because of its popularity.

Sandbox

Image: Ostap Senyuk

Most of us have played in a sandbox as kids. It is, as the name implies, a low box filled with sand that children can play in.

But, in the modern world of internet programming, a "sandbox" is an environment in which software developers or editors can create and test new content, separate from the rest of the project.

Troll

Image: Jirka Konietzny

Maybe not in the real world per se, but at least in Scandinavian folklore, a troll is a dwarf or a giant who inhabits caves or hills.

The word "troll" is used within the internet world to define a person who sows discord online by starting arguments or upsetting people. Both definitions describe a mischievous creature, but that is as far as the similarities go.

Viral

Image: CDC

Something that is referred to as "viral" is anything that is related to or caused by a virus, spreading like an infection to everything around it.

In the internet sense of the word, something "viral" describes content that becomes very popular by circulating quickly from person to person, online. As we can see, both definitions share a common theme of rapid spread, though the contexts differ.

CAMPING HACKS

Mastering the Flame: 10 Pro Tips for Building the Perfect Campfire

Published on December 22, 2024

Image: Siim Lukka

Bradbury was right; it is a pleasure to burn. Whether you're out in the wilderness or simply enjoying a backyard campfire under the stars, starting and maintaining a fire is both a joy and an essential skill. Fortunately, fire is one of humanity’s oldest companions, and we have devised thousands of ways to build and keep it. Whether you need warmth, a cooking flame, or just ambiance, there’s no single way to build a fire. To help you master this art, we've compiled 10 expert tips to ignite and sustain your fire. Maybe you’ll impress your friends or family on your next camping trip or barbecue!

Building The Foundations

Image: Nathan Lemon

Tinder is the foundation of any fire. Make sure to gather dry, easily combustible materials like dry leaves, grass, pine needles, or birch bark. These materials catch fire quickly and help ignite larger pieces of wood. Also, kindling can help bridge the gap between tinder and larger logs, building up the heat necessary to ignite the main fuel. Beforehand, find small sticks, twigs, or split wood pieces with a hand axe to accelerate the process.

Finally, if you are away from civilization, always bring reliable fire starters like waterproof matches, a lighter, or flint and steel. In antiquity, people used time-consuming techniques like friction or even resorted to carrying embers in their backpacks, but modern fire starters fit conveniently in your pocket.

Oxygen Is Your Best Friend

Image: James Wheeler

Fire is a chemical reaction that requires oxygen to keep burning. Ensure there’s enough space for air to circulate through your fire structure, and avoid packing materials too tightly, as this can easily smother the flames, leaving you with a smoking (and cold) mess.

However, while oxygen is crucial for sustaining a fire, too much air can be problematic, especially when you're starting it. As anyone who has tried to make a fire on a windy beach can tell you, strong winds can easily disrupt the process. Fortunately, you can shelter your fire by creating a windbreak with rocks, larger logs, or other materials to protect it from strong gusts.

Choosing The Fuel

Image: Tijana Drndarski

It may seem obvious, but wet or green wood doesn’t burn well. It produces a lot of smoke and can even extinguish a fire you've already started. If dry fuel is scarce, you can start a smaller fire and use it to dry larger logs by placing them around or above the flames. At home, store your firewood off the ground or in a sheltered area to keep it dry. Having a designated spot for your wood allows you to store green wood and let it dry until it's ready for use.

Additionally, different types of wood are better suited for various stages of a fire: hardwoods, like oak or maple, burn slowly and steadily, making them ideal for sustaining a fire, though they can be harder to ignite. On the other hand, softer, more resinous woods, such as pine or fir, make excellent kindling due to their quick ignition, but they burn too rapidly to be used as the primary fuel for a long-lasting fire.

Exercise Fire Safety

Image: Jen Theodore

Exercising proper fire safety can make the difference between having a warm, pleasant time next to a crackling fire, and experiencing a dangerous, potentially destructive situation. Always clear the area around your fire pit, keep water or a fire extinguisher nearby, and never leave the fire unattended.

When you are done, make sure to extinguish it completely. Douse the fire with water, stir the ashes, and ensure everything is cool to the touch to prevent accidental wildfires. Properly extinguishing your fire ensures that the only lasting memory is the good time you had, not an unexpected disaster.

The Lean-To Fire

Image: Colter Olmstead

There are myriad ways to build a fire, but knowing which type is best suited for different situations can be game-changing. The Lean-To fire is ideal for windy conditions or when you're short on dry materials.

Start by planting a long, sturdy stick or larger log into the ground at an angle. Pile tinder and small kindling against the inside of the log. Light the tinder, and as it catches, lean larger sticks and logs against the main one, creating a shelter-like effect. Alternatively, you can use rocks or any kind of solid structure as support for a Lean-To fire. This setup shields the flame from the wind and helps it grow steadily.

The Teepee Fire

Image: Sage Friedman

The Teepee fire is a classic and efficient method. Start by arranging your tinder in a small pile and place kindling around it in a cone shape, as if forming a small teepee. As the fire ignites, the flames rise through the kindling, setting it alight. The heat generated by the initial blaze will help ignite the larger logs you add next, keeping the fire going strong.

However, note that this method often requires more attention at the start compared to other techniques, as it is often more exposed to the elements. Also, you can't add larger pieces of fuel until the flames and heat are sufficiently strong. This initial vulnerability means you'll need to closely monitor and adjust the fire to ensure it catches properly and builds up enough heat to sustain larger logs.

The Log Cabin Fire

Image: Jackson Hendry

The Log Cabin fire structure offers stability and a long-lasting burn. Start by laying two large logs parallel to each other, then place two more logs on top, perpendicular to the first pair, creating a square base—just like building a log cabin.

Continue building up in this criss-cross pattern, leaving the center open. Then, fill the center with tinder and kindling, and light it. The stacked logs will provide a steady fuel source, while also creating a sturdy structure that is ideal for cooking.

The Swedish Torch

Image: Dan Edwards

The Swedish Torch, also known as a Canadian Candle, is a self-contained, long-burning fire. Legend has it that this ingenious method was developed by Swedish soldiers during the Thirty Years' War to keep warm when dry wood was scarce.

To make one, split a large log into four or six segments, leaving the base intact. Note that this usually requires a saw, as a hand axe can easily split the log completely. Alternatively, you can split the entire log and then tie it together with metal wire. Once your log "torch" is prepared, place it upright, put tinder in the middle, and light it. The log serves as both the fuel and the holder, while the vertical slits allow air to circulate, feeding the flames. This method provides a stable, concentrated flame, perfect for cooking or distributing heat over a larger area.

The Dakota Smokeless Fire

Image: Katie Drazdauskaite

If you love a good campfire but hate the smoke, the Dakota Smokeless Fire might be perfect for you. Designed for stealth and efficiency, this method is widely used by the United States military due to its low light signature, reduced smoke, and ease of ignition in strong wind conditions.

This style of fire pit originated with the Dakota people, who used it for hunting bison on the windy Great Plains. To build one, dig two small holes about a foot apart and connect them with a tunnel. One hole serves as the fire pit, while the other acts as an air intake. This setup not only minimizes smoke and maximizes heat but also increases fuel efficiency, helping to conserve wood.

The Upside-Down Fire

Image: Josh Clemence

The Upside-Down fire is an unconventional method that burns from the top down. Begin by placing the largest logs at the bottom, then layer progressively smaller logs on top, followed by kindling, and finally tinder. Light the tinder, and as it burns, it ignites the layers beneath it.

This counterintuitive technique can be a lifesaver in certain situations, as it ensures a slow, steady burn that requires much less maintenance. It provides a consistent heat source for longer periods, making it ideal for situations where you need sustained warmth or cooking time without constant tending.