Archive for the 'Science' Category
This is the best bit of hand-wavy evolutionary nonsense I’ve seen in a while:
But the public’s general dislike of pigeons also comes down to an inherited survival instinct. Our bodies are programmed to play it safe when it comes to some species, says Felix Economakis, psychologist and hypnotherapist in BBC Three’s Panic Room.
“A dislike of any bird is an evolutionary survival instinct that has been passed down through our DNA. Back in cavemen times birds were bigger and posed a real danger.
“Our system still plays it safe, it generalises and paints all possible dangers with the same brush. Our brains are telling us not to take a chance. It’s the same with snakes and spiders.”
Seriously? Those sparrows in the garden? The ducks on the pond? We’re afraid of those?
From “Why do we hate pigeons so much?“.
I need to buy one of those 25 ml spirit measure things, now that I’m calorie-counting everything that goes into my face.
Last night I found myself calibrating a measuring jug below 100 ml using an adjustable steady stream of water and a clock with a second hand.
The New Scientist claims to review the science of the movie Sunshine, and does a poor bloody job of it. (1 comment)
Another stunning example of physics understanding: I have never understood why, in the way bicycles create their own lighting, the wheels on trains that just bogie (ie, those that are not drive wheels) cannot be used to provide power for lighting and air conditioning. A letter from this week’s Guardian Technology section. (0 comments)