13 APR 2012 by ideonexus

 Plesiosaurs Sucked

There were no real sea serpents in the Mesozoic Era, but the plesiosaurs were the next thing to it. The plesiosaurs were reptiles who had gone back to the water because it seemed like a good idea at the time. As they knew little or nothing about swimming, they rowed themselves around in the water with their four paddles, instead of using their tails for propulsion like the brighter marine animals. (Such as the ichthyosaurs, who used their paddles for balancing and steering. The plesiosaurs di...
Folksonomies: adaptation
Folksonomies: adaptation
  1  notes

Will Cuppy convincingly argues that this reptile was incredibly poorly adapted to life in the ocean.

05 JAN 2012 by ideonexus

 Evolution Does Not Drive Us Toward Intelligence

We fondly imagine that evolution drives toward higher intelligence. But eagles would think evolution favored flight, elephants would naturally prefer the importance of great strength. Sharks would feel that swimming was the ultimate desirable trait, and eminent Victorians would be quite convinced that evolution preferred Victorians.
Folksonomies: evolution progress
Folksonomies: evolution progress
  1  notes

Anymore than it drives us to flight, swimming, strength, or Victorian culture. A quote from Gregory (Albert) Benford.