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Where would our species be without string? It's one of our most basic technologies—so basic that it's easy to overlook. But humans have used string—and its cousins rope, yarn, cordage, thread, etc.—for all kinds of purposes, stretching back tens of thousands of years. We've used it for knots and textiles and fishing nets and carrier bags and bow-strings and record-keeping devices. It's one of the most ubiquitous, flexible, and useful technologies we have. But we haven't only put string to practical purposes. We've also long used it to tickle our minds.

My guest today is Dr. Roope Kaaronen. Roope is a cognitive anthropologist and postdoc at the University of Helsinki in Finland. Along with an interdisciplinary team, Roope recently conducted two studies that showcase the centrality of string in human culture. One is on the history and diversity of "string figures" (which are visual designs made with a loop of string held between the hands, often known to English speakers as "Cat's Cradle"). The other study is on the history and diversity of knots.

Here Roope and I discuss the deep history of string in human culture. We talk about the seemingly universal spread of string figures across the globe. We zoom in on one string figure in particular—the Jacob's ladder—which seems to be the most widespread string figure of all, despite its complexity. We talk about how both knots and string figures are related to the branch of mathematics known as "topology," and about how knots and string figures have evolved under different constraints. Finally, we discuss what our fascination with string designs might tell us about the human mind. And we lament the fact that much of our string-based cultural heritage is headed—quite rapidly—for extinction.

Just a reminder that applications are now open for the 2025 Diverse Intelligences Summer Institute or DISI. If you are an early career researcher and you like this show, you would probably like DISI. Actually, fun fact: our guest today, Roope, is a DISI alum. We met at the Institute a couple years ago and I've followed his work ever since. That should give you some flavor for the people who attend. In any case, for more info, check out disi.org—that's d-i-s-i. org.

Alright friends, on to my conversation with Dr. Roope Kaaronen. Enjoy!

A transcript of this episode is available here.

Notes and links

3:00 – The 2020 paper reporting the use of string by Neanderthals.

8:00 – A paper describing the Antrea Net and its discovery.

10:00 – On the issue of gender bias in the study of textiles, see Virginia Postrel's book, The Fabric of Civilization.

12:00 – Dr. Kaaronen's other ethnomathematical projects include work on measurement across cultures.

16:30 – The website of the International String Figure Association.

19:30 – The 1969 paper first introducing the Standard Cross-Cultural Sample.

22:20 – A step-by-step explanation for how to make Jacob's Ladder.

30:30 – A step-by-step explanation for how to make the Swan.

38:00 – An example of a string figure that uses the Caroline Extension.

40:35 – A video demonstrating the string figure game of Cat's Cradle, which is played with a partner.

44:30 – A preprint of the knot study by Dr. Kaaronen and colleagues.

45:00 – The website of HRAF—the Human Relations Area Files—is here.

49:00 – A step-by-step explanation for how to make the knot known as the "sheet bend."

55:00 – An interactive article about what is known about Incan khipus.

59:30 – The "bible of knots" is the Ashley Book of Knots.

1:08:30 – An illustrated article on the so-called Austronesian expansion.

1:16:00 – An image of the ochre stone from 70,000 years ago, found at Blombos cave, featuring net-like imagery. A study finding sensitivity to abstract shapes in humans but not baboons.

Recommendations

The Fabric of Civilization, by Virginia Postrel

String Figures: A Study of Cat's Cradle in Many Lands, by Caroline Furness Jayne

WhyKnot (YouTube channel)

Tile image credit: Print by Isoda Koryusai via the Art Institute of Chicago

Many Minds is a project of the Diverse Intelligences Summer Institute, which is made possible by a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation to Indiana University. The show is hosted and produced by Kensy Cooperrider, with help from Assistant Producer Urte Laukaityte and with creative support from DISI Directors Erica Cartmill and Jacob Foster. Our artwork is by Ben Oldroyd. Our transcripts are created by Sarah Dopierala.

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In the late '80s and early '90s, a seismic subculture shook the streets… literally. “Boom Cars,” decked out with custom sound systems, roamed neighborhoods blasting the bassiest music ever recorded. But where did this movement come from, and why did it fade away? In this episode, we dive into the world of Miami Bass, dB Drag Racing, and the infamous tapes that could shred your subwoofers. Featuring journalist Jesse Serwer and Bass Music pioneer DJ Magic Mike.

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Today’s revolutionary thinker is Martin Luther, the man who upended the religious, political and intellectual life of Europe, maybe without entirely meaning to. David talks to historian Alec Ryrie about how a German monk took on the entire authority of the Catholic Church and survived the experience. What did he hope to achieve? Who were his principal backers? How did he reimagine the idea of human freedom? And where is his influence most widely felt today?

Out tomorrow on PPF+ a new bonus episode: David talks to Alec Ryrie about Calvin, who may have been the Reformation’s true revolutionary. What was Calvinism and how did it change the world? To get this and all our bonus episodes plus ad-free listening sign up now to PPF+https://www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus

Tickets are available now for PPF Live at the Bath Curious Minds Festival: on Saturday March 29th David will be in conversation with Robert Saunders about the legacy of Winston Churchill: The Politician with Nine Lives https://bit.ly/42GPp3X

Next up in The History of Revolutionary Ideas: The Scientific Revolution

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Margie is a go-with-the-flow kind of person, a free spirit. But all good things come to an end...

Kristoffer is an independent curator and strategist living in Athens, Greece. He is dedicated to keeping the web alive through Naive Weekly, his well-received Sunday email, and Naive Yearly, an annual gathering for internet practitioners.

Other of his initiatives include Tiny Awards, the internet’s own award, The Internet Phone Book, a directory for exploring the poetic web, and Diagram.Website, an internet link portal.

Naive Weekly

Naive Yearly

Photo by Ana Santl

The Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis takes Matthew Bannister for a snowy walk on the dramatic shores of Loch Ness near her home in the Scottish Highlands. Accompanied by her husband Eamon Doorley, we hear Julie’s beautiful clear voice singing a song linked to the area and a love song that brought the couple together for the first time. As they head to the spectacular Foyers Falls, Julie explains that understanding the Gaelic language is the best way to form a true connection with the landscape.

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After Virginia's young daughter accidentally boarded a subway train without her, someone unexpected stepped in to help. 

Do you have your own story of an unsung hero? We'd love to hear it! Record a voice memo and email it to us at [email protected]. 

Some guidance:

--Focus on ONE moment that you will never forget. 

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--Speak conversationally, like you're talking to a friend.

--Let us know why this person continues to impact your life.

--If your hero were standing in front of you today, what would you say? Address them directly.

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In 1966, to the chagrin of his fans and the folk music community, Bob Dylan went electric. The five years leading up to this moment is the focus of A Complete Unknown, the new Bob Dylan biopic from James Mangold.

This indignation came at a time where folk was the language of protest, from the civil rights movement to the Vietnam war, but when did folk get left behind? What was Dylan’s lasting effect on the protest song?

Tom Gatti is joined by Kate Mossman, senior writer at the New Statesman, and Dorian Lynskey, writer and author of 33 Revolutions Per Minute: A History of Protest Songs.

You can read more from Kate and Dorian on newstatesman.com.

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I know I'd said last time there would be no show this week, but that was before this fascinating episode involving TikTok users signing up en masse to Xiaohongshu. Hilarity ensued, and my two guests — Ivy Yang, who runs Wavelet Strategy, an expert in cross-cultural communication, and David Fishman, Shanghai-based senior manager at Lantau Group who specializes in the Chinese energy sector and writes wonderfully about his excursions into the Chinese countryside. They've both been following this fascinating episode closely and have really smart things to say, so enjoy!

5:10 – How the migration of American Tiktokers to Xiaohongshu started 

8:51 – A brief overview of Xiaohongshu: its users, typical content, and culture, including its “we’re all in this together” vibe  

15:35 – The significance of Xiaohongshu as a Chinese app 

19:48 – The scale of the American TikTok refugees phenomenon, and official reactions in the U.S.

24:52 – How Xiaohongshu has managed and reacted to the refugee phenomenon so far, and the PR opportunity presented for the PRC

29:33 – The Chinese government’s perspective 

34:54 – Wholesome and interesting exchanges, and what American and Chinese users are finding surprising or amusing about each other’s cultures

38:50 – Why this new online encounter between Chinese and Americans is different from before 

43:23 – The danger of irrational exuberance, and other risks the Xiaohongshu migration phenomenon presents 

47:52 – The potential for a change in American thinking about China 

Paying It Forward: 

Ivy: Caiwei Chen

David: Robert Wu and Amber Zhang, especially their work on Baiguan, and Robert’s Substack China Translated, especially his essay, “The Great Divorce”

Recommendations:

Ivy: Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence by Dr. Anna Lembke 

David: Oracle Bones: A Journey Through Time in China by Peter Hessler

Kaiser: Other works by Peter Hessler (River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze; Country Driving: A Chinese Road Trip; and Other Rivers: A Chinese Education), and Telecaster type electric guitars, especially the Sire Larry Carlton T7

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