ILU, biology.
Oct. 2nd, 2009 10:25 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
agentotterFor those of you who haven't read it, you should be aware that Douglas Adams (yes, that Douglas Adams) and Mark Carwardine wrote a book twenty years ago called Last Chance to See. In it, they embarked on a journey around the globe to find and observe rare creatures which were on the brink of extinction. (If I'm remembering correctly, at least one of the animals they discuss in the book -- the river dolphin in China -- is now considered extinct.) This book is a tour-de-force, as they say, not just because it's terribly interesting but because, being written by Adams, it's terribly funny. Their misadventures are legion. There's a lot of discussion about the human social factors that are causing species extinctions, which I think is the most important factor of what has to be changed, especially in the developing world. This book was given to me by two separate people who told me that I would love it (they were right), and it is a cherished volume in my life.
Which is why I'm so delighted that the BBC has created a television documentary version of same, with Mark Carwardine and Stephen Fry. They went out into the world, found native animals... and were fucked by them. I can't help it, this video clip is reducing me to fits of hysterics. Oh, Mark Carwardine. The things you'll do for science.
And now, in other nature and science news...
You know, chimps really get the best of both worlds. I mean, they're animals, but they really and truly aren't that far off from human beings. (Poor things.) Case in point: this chimp shows us that animals are capable of premeditation. And by that I mean that they, like humans, can quietly make a plan, fashion and stockpile weapons, and then mess your shit up. It makes me sound kind of awful, but I think this story is awesome.
It's not the awesomest thing I've ever seen, though. I think that prize might go (for the moment, anyway, until I find some new awesomest thing ever) to this dolphin. It's official, you guys. Dolphins are the most bad-ass creatures ever.
In holy-shit-how-did-they-do-that news, some science types seem to have a cure for colorblindness. Holy shit, how did they do that?
In other news, oh my god you guys, I don't know how I'm still alive after watching these baby pandas playing on playground equipment.
Here's a cool new kind of solar panel that doesn't need direct sunlight. It's not like... groundbreaking or anything, and the efficiency still isn't what it should be for widespread use, but I think these kinds of things are a sign that we're getting there.
Alright, I can't resist it. Here's another clip from Last Chance to See, proving once again that Aye-Ayes are the most freaky-looking animals EVER:
I hope you all are having a nice stress-free Friday. I need a nap and some caffeine, but I can't have either, so I'm just sitting here staring at Aye-Ayes like an idiot. It's awesome.
Which is why I'm so delighted that the BBC has created a television documentary version of same, with Mark Carwardine and Stephen Fry. They went out into the world, found native animals... and were fucked by them. I can't help it, this video clip is reducing me to fits of hysterics. Oh, Mark Carwardine. The things you'll do for science.
And now, in other nature and science news...
You know, chimps really get the best of both worlds. I mean, they're animals, but they really and truly aren't that far off from human beings. (Poor things.) Case in point: this chimp shows us that animals are capable of premeditation. And by that I mean that they, like humans, can quietly make a plan, fashion and stockpile weapons, and then mess your shit up. It makes me sound kind of awful, but I think this story is awesome.
It's not the awesomest thing I've ever seen, though. I think that prize might go (for the moment, anyway, until I find some new awesomest thing ever) to this dolphin. It's official, you guys. Dolphins are the most bad-ass creatures ever.
In holy-shit-how-did-they-do-that news, some science types seem to have a cure for colorblindness. Holy shit, how did they do that?
In other news, oh my god you guys, I don't know how I'm still alive after watching these baby pandas playing on playground equipment.
Here's a cool new kind of solar panel that doesn't need direct sunlight. It's not like... groundbreaking or anything, and the efficiency still isn't what it should be for widespread use, but I think these kinds of things are a sign that we're getting there.
Alright, I can't resist it. Here's another clip from Last Chance to See, proving once again that Aye-Ayes are the most freaky-looking animals EVER:
I hope you all are having a nice stress-free Friday. I need a nap and some caffeine, but I can't have either, so I'm just sitting here staring at Aye-Ayes like an idiot. It's awesome.