How we talk about "artificial intelligence" matters.

https://buttondown.com/maiht3k/archive/how-to-talk-about-ai-without-adding-to-the/

Some excellent soccer (football) from Japan: 100 school kids against 3 pro players. 😂

https://retro.pizza/@mighty_orbot/116824761411116256

A brave American:

https://deanblundell.substack.com/p/breaking-an-active-duty-us-major

In today's Tandem party we will practice pronouncing the past tense forms of some of these verbs:

1. jog
2. join
3. whirl
4. whisper
5. whistle
6. wink
7. wipe
8. wish
9. wobble
10. wonder
11. fetch
12. file
13. fill
14. film
15. fire
16. fit
17. fix
18. flap
19. knot
20. obtain
21. occur
22. offend
23. jail
24. jam
25. joke
26. judge
27. excite
28. excuse
29. exercise
30. exist
31. expand
32. expect
33. matter
34. measure
35. meddle
36. melt
37. memorise
38. mend
39. mess up
40. deliver
41. depend
42. describe
43. desert
44. deserve
45. destroy
46. detect
47. develop
48. disagree
49. disappear
50. grin

Our party will start around 11am New York time.

This link will not improve your English. Seal Island off the the coast of Maine. A puffin cam! It includes the wind, the sound of the Atlantic Ocean, and noisy birds. Enjoy—guaranteed no AI.
https://explore.org/livecams/puffins/puffin-loafing-ledge-cam

Desalination:

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/solar-tech-makes-desalinating-seawater-cheaper-than-producing-bottled-water/

Are you a reader? If so, you may be part of a vanishing group.

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/08/reading-crisis-postliterate-age/687618/?gift=jDw299G8PAYpd8-JGed7USlFsZODju5QnE8zhyHhleE&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share

Today on Tandem we'll practice reading this poem:

When Larry Made Lasagna

When Larry made lasagna
all his neighbors stopped and stared.
His lasagna was the largest
that had ever been prepared.

He used ninety yards of pasta
and a half a ton of cheese,
and the sauce, he spread with spatulas
that looked a lot like skis.

With a hundred pounds of vegetables
and wagon-loads of meat
plus a tiny sprig of parsley
his lasagna was complete.

So he lifted that lasagna
with a forklift and a crane
and he placed it in an oven
that was longer than a train.

For a week, while it was baking,
its aroma filled the town,
till he took it from the oven
piping hot and golden brown.

All the neighbors came and tasted it
but frowned at him, and then
they complained, “It needs a bit more salt.
You’ll have to start again.”

 — Kenn Nesbitt
Copyright © 2012. All Rights Reserved.

One reason to learn another language is to read—or in this case watch and listen—to people speaking in their own language.

https://beige.party/@TheBreadmonkey/117065546073697967

If you're planning to come to today's Tandem party with me starting at 11am New York time, please bring an interesting antonym. For example 'energetic' vs. 'lethargic'.

Even better, bring several interesting antonyms!

Hey, I’m inviting you to a Language Party on Tandem! 🎉 Join "Pronunciation practice with Barry. " with me before it ends!

https://go.tandem.net/party?party_id=-P-4viDq_gwqSYQqngu6