this post was submitted on 23 Feb 2026
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Showerthoughts

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A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. The most popular seem to be lighthearted clever little truths, hidden in daily life.

Here are some examples to inspire your own showerthoughts:

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As opposed to the northern/southern hemisphere that has:

  • a clear reference point (equators)
  • traditionally we don’t model a rotation north/south

Western/eastern hemisphere

  • doesn’t have a clear reference (Greenwich?)
  • traditionally we model rotation on the north/south axis so western/eastern would depend from the time
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[–] NABDad@lemmy.world 14 points 1 day ago (2 children)

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first known use of the term, "Western Hemisphere", is from the writings of Sir Thomas Browne in 1646.

It doesn't really make sense to blame its creation on the U.S, as it predates us by more than 100 years.

[–] boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I guess it comes from a european perspective, describing everything else as "wild west" or "near/far east"

[–] NABDad@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

That's what I was thinking.

[–] HenriVolney@sh.itjust.works 0 points 1 day ago (2 children)

OK then. Let's say that Western hemisphere is a concept popularized by US exceptionalists to justify their economic, political and military domination over the Americas.

[–] NABDad@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago

You can say that if you wish, but it makes you sound like you just don't want to admit you were wrong.

There's plenty to blame the U.S. for, but it's important to be honest if you want to be taken seriously.

[–] Drusas@fedia.io 5 points 1 day ago

You can say whatever you like and be wrong at the same time. The idea of being a "western nation" and the importance thereof long predates the United States being a great power.