Aesop's fables, those famous animal parables that teach us about morality and life's lessons, have always been assumed to be based on imagination than factual basis. But one study suggests that at least one of the fables may actually be based on fact.
The fable about the thirsty crow tells of a crow coming across a pitcher of water that is too low to reach with its beak. By dropping in one stone after another and raising the water level, the crow is able to drink from the pitcher, thus teaching us that little by little does the job.
In a study conducted by Christopher Bird of Cambridge, a relative of the crow called a rook was exposed to a six inch clear plastic tube with a worm floating in it. The birds instantly used stones to raise the level of water in the tube, bringing the worm closer to the surface. They even figured out that larger stones brought faster results.
The fable about the thirsty crow tells of a crow coming across a pitcher of water that is too low to reach with its beak. By dropping in one stone after another and raising the water level, the crow is able to drink from the pitcher, thus teaching us that little by little does the job.
In a study conducted by Christopher Bird of Cambridge, a relative of the crow called a rook was exposed to a six inch clear plastic tube with a worm floating in it. The birds instantly used stones to raise the level of water in the tube, bringing the worm closer to the surface. They even figured out that larger stones brought faster results.
From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by Geekazoid.
Comments (7)
Anyways, what I mostly wondered was Why was this Aesop guy mostly interested in Animals??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjRXyWFLkEY
A robot that "pops" its"p's"? unless its voice is made up of thousands of badly recorded samples? otherwise its just animatronics not robotics?
Anyone?.....
Well, it is a pre-recorded speech sample used. If ever robots would talk they would probably use a speech synthesizer much like the ones used in computers.
From what I've read about the M.D.S. Robots is that they are being created to be used as helper robots (very much like those being developed in Japan) for the elderly, lab work, and AI development, as well, as other applications.
yeah...
I'm going to barricade my house now...
but yea.. it is odd that "they" make robots to look like humans, eh? i mean, i guess it's the whole "humans want to rule the world" mentality that influences the need for human-like robots. we're so self centered. it's probably to make them seem to pose as little threatening as possible. "Hey, maybe if we make them look like us nobody will be afraid!" yea, great idea... and when someone programs a couple to feel pain and think for themselves, we'll see how cute they are then. @Deram Maras: i'm right behind you.
UMass Amherst, represent.