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What we need more of [Science dummy]

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Posts

  • Lost SalientLost Salient blink twice if you'd like me to mercy kill youRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    That is explained approximately 73x better than I could possibly have done. I did the math so I know that my statistic is correct.

    The article about conflict escalation is also really neat, and I just spent a while trawling for an old blurb I'd read to counterbalance it. Turns out the best reference to the study in question was ALSO on Scientific American.

    Why Children Like to Share
    In a study, the researchers explored a particular type of unselfishness known as inequality aversion. Suppose individual A has $10, and individual B has a lesser amount, say $5. We say individual A is inequality averse if he shares some of his cash with individual B, thus reducing the inequality between them. We say individual B is inequality averse if he is willing to sacrifice some part of his money, provided individual A’s endowment is reduced to an even greater degree, so that, once again, the inequality between the two is reduced.

    Fehr and colleagues show that, in a sample of 229 children between the ages of three and eight years, younger subjects overwhelmingly conform to selfish (self-regarding) preferences. They don’t like to share and aren’t interest in reducing inequality. In contrast, the vast majority of the older subjects are inequality averse when put in either the advantageous (individual A) or inadvantageous (individual B) position.

    Moreover, the researchers find that the older children are “rational” in the sense that they are more willing to share when the cost of doing so is low than when the cost is high. Finally, the children tend to be more inequality averse in dealing with “ingroup” members, or children from their own school or day care. This preference for sharing with ingroup members occurred even the sharing game was purely anonymous, so no child could determine the identity of the other players.

    Lost Salient on
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    "Sandra has a good solid anti-murderer vibe. My skin felt very secure and sufficiently attached to my body when I met her. Also my organs." HAIL SATAN
  • DruhimDruhim Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited April 2009
    ok, this is pretty fucking wild to me

    Druhim on
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  • AbracadanielAbracadaniel Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Mysst wrote: »
    why don't cell phone manufacturers man up and make me some buzz lightyear-type shit, I'm tired of digging in my pockets for my phone

    You Mean Like This?

    Abracadaniel on
  • MrMonroeMrMonroe passed out on the floor nowRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Edcrab wrote: »
    You know what's awesome? Gamma-ray annihilation lasers, which scientists like to talk about since they actually made di-positronium


    Psst, that means fusion power and laser cannons become increasingly plausible, this means it was an awesome development

    could they have come up with a better name for this?

    I do not think so

    MrMonroe on
  • RobchamRobcham The Rabbit King of your pantsRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    whoa

    Robcham on
  • lostwordslostwords Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    oh man smart hero, i saw that on joystiq or kotaku, and dang it is pimp as hell. but i don't know abotu wearing a pipboy for everyday use.

    also, that vid is so awkward

    lostwords on
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  • MrMonroeMrMonroe passed out on the floor nowRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Druhim wrote: »
    ok, this is pretty fucking wild to me

    uh

    I have no trouble making that distinction

    D:

    MrMonroe on
  • Lost SalientLost Salient blink twice if you'd like me to mercy kill youRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    lostwords wrote: »
    oh man smart hero, i saw that on joystiq or kotaku, and dang it is pimp as hell. but i don't know abotu wearing a pipboy for everyday use.

    also, that vid is so awkward

    SO awkward.

    Lost Salient on
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    "Sandra has a good solid anti-murderer vibe. My skin felt very secure and sufficiently attached to my body when I met her. Also my organs." HAIL SATAN
  • As7As7 Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Also, have you guys ever thought about microbe sex, because it's really cool.

    See, little things like bacteria and protozoa are a lot more promiscuous than we are. They'll mate in many ways and with many things outside their own species, to the point that SPECIES is a really hard thing to pin down when it comes to microbes.

    One of the more interesting ways in which bacteria can reproduce actually involves one living bacteria simply absorbing pieces of another DEAD bacteria and incorporating some of it's DNA into it's own body. They can also share fragments of their DNA, called plasmids, like kids today would swap trading cards. And these exchanges don't just provide the bacteria's OFFSPRING with benefits, the bacteria itself can utilize the new instructions right away, perhaps providing it with drug resistance or other micro super powers.

    As7 on
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  • MysstMysst King Monkey of Hedonism IslandRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Smart Hero wrote: »
    Mysst wrote: »
    why don't cell phone manufacturers man up and make me some buzz lightyear-type shit, I'm tired of digging in my pockets for my phone

    You Mean Like This?
    preferably not as bulky, but yeah, I saw that yesterday and thought about it again. all the watch phones they're doing I just don't see being easy to use because the touchscreen is goddamn watch sized, texting would be terrible

    Mysst on
    ikbUJdU.jpg
  • RobchamRobcham The Rabbit King of your pantsRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    you're blowin my mind As7

    Robcham on
  • ButlerButler 89 episodes or bust Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Robcham wrote: »
    SOMEONE EXPLAIN QUANTUM MECHANICS

    THINK OF A NUMBER, ANY NUMBER

    RIGHT, NOW THAT NUMBER IS THE LETTER H AND IT'S ACCELLERATING AWAY FROM YOU BACKWARDS IN TIME AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT

    SIMULTANEOUSLY, IT IS YOUR FAAAAAATHER

    NOW LOOK AT YOUR CARD

    IF IT IS THE THREE OF HEARTS, YOU JUST GOT QUANTUM'D

    Butler on
  • JoeUserJoeUser Forum Santa Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    So mutants are here, and they're strong.

    Super Strong Kids May Hold Genetic Secrets

    ht_Liam_Hoekstra_01_090401_mn.jpg

    JoeUser on
  • JyardanaJyardana Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    As7 wrote: »
    Also, have you guys ever thought about microbe sex, because it's really cool.

    See, little things like bacteria and protozoa are a lot more promiscuous than we are. They'll mate in many ways and with many things outside their own species, to the point that SPECIES is a really hard thing to pin down when it comes to microbes.

    One of the more interesting ways in which bacteria can reproduce actually involves one living bacteria simply absorbing pieces of another DEAD bacteria and incorporating some of it's DNA into it's own body. They can also share fragments of their DNA, called plasmids, like kids today would swap trading cards. And these exchanges don't just provide the bacteria's OFFSPRING with benefits, the bacteria itself can utilize the new instructions right away, perhaps providing it with drug resistance or other micro super powers.

    Imagine the possibilities in a human. Finding a dead hobo and absorbing his alcohol resistance + addiction

    Jyardana on
  • DichotomyDichotomy Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    know who is awesome? Bill Nye
    he lectured at my school last night

    Dichotomy on
    0BnD8l3.gif
  • RobchamRobcham The Rabbit King of your pantsRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Butler wrote: »
    Robcham wrote: »
    SOMEONE EXPLAIN QUANTUM MECHANICS

    THINK OF A NUMBER, ANY NUMBER

    RIGHT, NOW THAT NUMBER IS THE LETTER H AND IT'S ACCELLERATING AWAY FROM YOU BACKWARDS IN TIME AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT

    SIMULTANEOUSLY, IT IS YOUR FAAAAAATHER

    NOW LOOK AT YOUR CARD

    IF IT IS THE THREE OF HEARTS, YOU JUST GOT QUANTUM'D

    AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa

    Robcham on
  • RobchamRobcham The Rabbit King of your pantsRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Bill Nye?
    the science guy?

    Robcham on
  • AbracadanielAbracadaniel Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    oh man that article about the super-strong kid is awesome, I read that a while back.

    Abracadaniel on
  • DruhimDruhim Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited April 2009
    JoeUser wrote: »
    So mutants are here, and they're strong.

    Super Strong Kids May Hold Genetic Secrets

    ht_Liam_Hoekstra_01_090401_mn.jpg
    I generally find science coverage by the big networks to be really annoying because they tend to gloss over the actual science and sensationalize the story while ignoring the really interesting stuff.

    Druhim on
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  • JoeUserJoeUser Forum Santa Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Smart Hero wrote: »
    oh man that article about the super-strong kid is awesome, I read that a while back.

    And he was adopted. dun dun dun!

    JoeUser on
  • JyardanaJyardana Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    That myostatin deficiency makes the body not like to store fat, however, which end up causing problems with certain organs which need it.

    Jyardana on
  • JordynJordyn Really, Commander? Probing Uranus. Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    They should've given that kid a big trapezoidal weight that says "1 TON" on it to lift.

    That would've been awesome.

    Jordyn on
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  • RocketScienceRocketScience Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    JoeUser wrote: »
    So mutants are here, and they're strong.

    Super Strong Kids May Hold Genetic Secrets

    ht_Liam_Hoekstra_01_090401_mn.jpg

    Pfft. I could totally take that kid in a fight.

    RocketScience on
  • DruhimDruhim Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited April 2009
    Druhim on
    belruelotterav-1.jpg
  • lostwordslostwords Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Druhim wrote: »

    mmmmm

    you had me at frozen vat of pig semen

    lostwords on
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  • MysstMysst King Monkey of Hedonism IslandRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Druhim wrote: »
    oh man what if they marinade it while they grow it, imagine the possibilities

    Mysst on
    ikbUJdU.jpg
  • Lost SalientLost Salient blink twice if you'd like me to mercy kill youRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    As7 wrote: »
    Also, have you guys ever thought about microbe sex, because it's really cool.

    See, little things like bacteria and protozoa are a lot more promiscuous than we are. They'll mate in many ways and with many things outside their own species, to the point that SPECIES is a really hard thing to pin down when it comes to microbes.

    One of the more interesting ways in which bacteria can reproduce actually involves one living bacteria simply absorbing pieces of another DEAD bacteria and incorporating some of it's DNA into it's own body. They can also share fragments of their DNA, called plasmids, like kids today would swap trading cards. And these exchanges don't just provide the bacteria's OFFSPRING with benefits, the bacteria itself can utilize the new instructions right away, perhaps providing it with drug resistance or other micro super powers.

    So by the time I get done typing this everyone and their kid cousin will have responded and the topic will have veered away, but this is really cool AND something that happens in a slightly different way with other species and lifeforms, as well. I just finished reading about E. coli's ability to trade up DNA under unfriendly conditions in my book.

    The finch species on the Galapagos Islands - not all the islands, but Daphne Major in particular, where The Beak of the Finch is mainly concerned - typically don't hybridize, but the species themselves are waaay more fluid than they initially seem. The periodic hybrids that spring up (particularly after periods of high-stress) bring fresh DNA from outside of the colony and allow for more successful variation within the species down the road.

    Fruit flies and some kinds of fish have been studied doing basically this exact same thing.

    Lost Salient on
    RUVCwyu.jpg
    "Sandra has a good solid anti-murderer vibe. My skin felt very secure and sufficiently attached to my body when I met her. Also my organs." HAIL SATAN
  • DruhimDruhim Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited April 2009
    Mysst wrote: »
    Druhim wrote: »
    oh man what if they marinade it while they grow it, imagine the possibilities
    fuck that, we gave it a gene that produces delicious garlic inside the cells

    Druhim on
    belruelotterav-1.jpg
  • MysstMysst King Monkey of Hedonism IslandRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    As7 wrote: »
    Also, have you guys ever thought about microbe sex, because it's really cool.

    See, little things like bacteria and protozoa are a lot more promiscuous than we are. They'll mate in many ways and with many things outside their own species, to the point that SPECIES is a really hard thing to pin down when it comes to microbes.

    One of the more interesting ways in which bacteria can reproduce actually involves one living bacteria simply absorbing pieces of another DEAD bacteria and incorporating some of it's DNA into it's own body. They can also share fragments of their DNA, called plasmids, like kids today would swap trading cards. And these exchanges don't just provide the bacteria's OFFSPRING with benefits, the bacteria itself can utilize the new instructions right away, perhaps providing it with drug resistance or other micro super powers.

    So by the time I get done typing this everyone and their kid cousin will have responded and the topic will have veered away, but this is really cool AND something that happens in a slightly different way with other species and lifeforms, as well. I just finished reading about E. coli's ability to trade up DNA under unfriendly conditions in my book.

    The finch species on the Galapagos Islands - not all the islands, but Daphne Major in particular, where The Beak of the Finch is mainly concerned - typically don't hybridize, but the species themselves are waaay more fluid than they initially seem. The periodic hybrids that spring up (particularly after periods of high-stress) bring fresh DNA from outside of the colony and allow for more successful variation within the species down the road.

    Fruit flies and some kinds of fish have been studied doing basically this exact same thing.
    no way they have been the same for the past 6000 years as when they first were made

    Mysst on
    ikbUJdU.jpg
  • Lost SalientLost Salient blink twice if you'd like me to mercy kill youRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    We don't gots to be arguing here, see, cause evolution is god fuckin around with Play-Doh.

    And something going extinct is when he sticks a chunk in his mouth to see if "orange color" tastes as good as it looks.

    Lost Salient on
    RUVCwyu.jpg
    "Sandra has a good solid anti-murderer vibe. My skin felt very secure and sufficiently attached to my body when I met her. Also my organs." HAIL SATAN
  • DruhimDruhim Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited April 2009
    microbes are such sluts

    Druhim on
    belruelotterav-1.jpg
  • WeaverWeaver Breakfast Witch Hashus BrowniusRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    My dad tried to discount evolution as, "Darwin was only on those islands for a couple of weeks"

    Weaver on
  • MysstMysst King Monkey of Hedonism IslandRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    my mother doesn't even try, she just says she doesn't believe it

    Mysst on
    ikbUJdU.jpg
  • EdcrabEdcrab Actually a hack Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    It's times like this that I'm so glad my father is an incredibly angry elitist atheist who lectures in mental health for a living

    And then we'll be discussing logistical probabilistic approaches to politics and religion and he'll make me feel dumb

    Edcrab on
    cBY55.gifbmJsl.png
  • Lost SalientLost Salient blink twice if you'd like me to mercy kill youRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Gotcha beat - the only time it ever came up in conversation with my father he said he just didn't see why dinosaurs couldn't have existed at the same time as human beings.

    This from a man with a Master's from the University of Chicago.

    Lost Salient on
    RUVCwyu.jpg
    "Sandra has a good solid anti-murderer vibe. My skin felt very secure and sufficiently attached to my body when I met her. Also my organs." HAIL SATAN
  • JoeUserJoeUser Forum Santa Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Gotcha beat - the only time it ever came up in conversation with my father he said he just didn't see why dinosaurs couldn't have existed at the same time as human beings.

    This from a man with a Master's from the University of Chicago.

    Artist's rendering:

    dinosaurgr9.jpg

    JoeUser on
  • lostwordslostwords Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    umm, my dad is super-religious and is the lead singer of a christian band with other 40-50 year old dudes and goes on pro-life marches in dc yeah

    i avoid conversations about evolution and religion and stuff like that

    lostwords on
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  • DruhimDruhim Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited April 2009
    I remember way back shortly after I had both left the church in general and left the christian university I was studying at to be a missionary, I was dating this gal and was invited over to have dinner and meet the parents. During dinner, I was talking about how I grew up watching Jacques Cousteau and how that helped develop my fascination with the ocean. All her mother could say was, "he's that evolutionist isn't he?"

    This was of course asked with an air of distaste.

    hahahahaha

    Druhim on
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  • EdcrabEdcrab Actually a hack Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    He's that... thinker isn't he

    God, thinking is so repulsive to me, have a scone and maybe some dogma to go with it

    Edcrab on
    cBY55.gifbmJsl.png
  • cadmunkycadmunky One hand on the bottle, The other a shaking fist.Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    oh shiiiiit!
    Surface blooms of the algae known as Pseudo-nitzschia can generate dangerously high levels of domoic acid, a neurotoxin blamed for bizarre bird attacks dramatized in Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 film "The Birds."

    cadmunky on
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    "Think of it as Evolution in Action"
This discussion has been closed.