Showing posts with label human. Show all posts
Showing posts with label human. Show all posts
Australopithecus africanus were much like humans. They had evolved to use their hands to do intricate thing. It would have been possible for them to turn a key or hold a hammer. Coming down from the trees "caused" manipulatory advancement. The most useful attributes spread to more of their number due to longer survival and breeding capability.

While anthropologists are not sure that they used the advanced abilities, it is highly probable that they did otherwise the traits would not have become dominant. This pushes tool use way, way back to 3 million years ago.

How do scientists know that Australopithecus had complex skills? Trabeculae which is inside bones in the hands shows how hands were used. Humans, for example use the fingers and thumb region more than chimpanzees. Our friendly relations mainly use their fingers.

The supposition that tool use began millions of years ago was only theory: now it is proven.  Culture must have been passed on to offspring as well.  Tool use is a skill that must be taught.  Humans are capable of learning all their lives.  Chimpanzees can learn how to break nuts using a rock when they are young.  If they watch this being done when they are adults they never learn how to do it.
Science by Ty Buchanan
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The Environment Affects Us and Our Health

The type of environment affects the mood of people. This is not surprising when one considers that Man a creature of his habitat. What the senses perceive shapes the human animal.  As humans responds to what is "Out there", so evolution ensues.

A "noisy" environment, bright colors and loud sounds, stimulates us. Furthermore, it puts us on edge. The body is prepared to take action of some kind. Communication of three bodily systems (nervous, immune and endocrine) work against our wishes to bring this about.

If we want to get away from high stimulation we need to move ourselves to a soothing environment. People know this full well. A quiet snooze in front of the TV after dinner at home is always relaxing. Adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol levels drop.

In an emergency stress gives us two option: flight or fight. If we cannot move away from hostile surroundings, we must put on a brave face and tough it out. Bluff is also part of flight.  However, remaining in an uncomfortable situation for long periods has its costs.

Today employment is structured and we cannot leave to silence out bodies. Stressful chemicals continue to pump through us causing long term damage. This is due to normal repair functions of the body being turned off. Inflammatory immune response is raised which is good only for the short time. It must be noted that 90 per cent of all human disease is related to stress.
Health by Ty Buchanan
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Millions of years ago kangaroos were much different than they are today. The sthenurine kangaroo once dominated Australia. It became extinct only 30,000 years ago when the maga fauna era ended. They were two meters tall, much too large to hop. It is surmised that they walked like humans.

Their face was flat and they looked like a rabbit with a large tail. They were a side branch of the kangaroo family. The main line continued to become modern kangaroos. Procoptodon golliah grew to three meters tall and weighed about 240kg.

Scientists had assumed that they hopped like modern kangaroos. The most obvious conclusion is usually the best, but in this case it was wrong. Their bone structure points to them walking. Having a large tail was a bonus: it improved balance.

The mega fauna period has been painted as a time of happy giants. For humans it would have been frightening. These oversized creatures would have been difficult to hunt. Indeed, humans probably had a policy of keeping their distance. Just because most did not eat meat does not mean they weren't dangerous.
 Funny Animal Pictures by Ty Buchanan 
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Think Before You Click

Human beings are like sheep. They follow the nearest "leader". This is an unfortunate truth about Man. If it wasn't for this need to follow we would not have civilization. A human failing has proved to be productive for the species as a whole.

How would we have governments if we did not allow ourselves to be ruled by individuals under the guise of a group. Like faith in money. It is belief that puts value into bits of paper. We believe that the government will honor the amount printed on the note. This is despite that fact that governments no longer back up currency with gold. They do not store gold anymore.

It is like religion. There is no proof about historical events actually happening the way they are set out in ancient literature. However, because most believe in something, we follow.  Usually we are "taught" to accept one thing or another in our childhood.

The Internet has made things worse. People follow the latest thing that arises. Even though such happenings can be utterly foolish. For example, a group of buddies met up in a yogurt shop because a bot told them to.

There are fake profiles out there on Facebook and Twitter. Some people are mischievous and even straight our mean. They will do anything to lead others into a cul-de-sac. Even clicking a link can be dangerous. This should be noted before you click on a link suggested by someone else.
Technology by Ty Buchanan
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Australia Should Develop a Bionic Brain - Nonesense!

One of the most difficult things to do is to develop a computer brain that operates like a human brain. Intelligence that evolved by nature is very complex. A computer "thinks" linearly with one activity followed by another. The human brain works outward from a central point, spreading out to different areas depending on the particular task.

To say that Australia should concentrate on making the world's first bionic brain is a leap too far. Saying that $250m over ten years will get the job done is way off the mark. There are many scientists already working with much more money than that and they haven't achieved much.

Pioneering the healthbionic ear and eye is kid stuff compared to replicating the brain. Using nerve activity to make artificial limbs move is also far from understanding human intelligence. Even after all these years measuring intelligence is beyond us. The IQ test only gives a score for rating cultural knowledge. It is misused by so many people.

We need to start at the real beginning and understand genetics first. Genes build the brain. Consciousness is another thing. Is it the outcome of the overall activity of the brain or is it something separate, like a soul? Saying humans are the only animal to have a soul is nonsense. When you get to Heaven expect to find some Neanderthal there!
Science by Ty Buchanan
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Crowd Wave Observed in Prairie Dogs

The crowd wave at sporting events in not an entirely human thing. Prairie dogs do the "jump-yip". This keeps others involved and tells an individual how alert others are. It begins like the human wave. One or two will start doing it and at first it is ignored. Then it takes on a mind of its own and soon all are doing it.

The wave is just as noisy as the human wave with loud yips coming from everywhere. Prairie dogs use their whole body to make the sound. They raise there front legs then lower them with a "wee-oo" call in sequence. Like humans prairie dogs live in towns.

It was believed to be a warning call of the presence of predators, but prairie dogs continue the wave whether a predator is there or not. It is a social activity to test the alertness of others. If fellow animals do not respond a prairie dogs will not forage very much. On the other hand, if everyone is at it, they assume they can eat in safety. Somehow they are making a judgement about the prevailing danger.

In humans, the wave is usually done when the local team is doing well. Boredom about the state of play can trigger it as well. When the visiting team is doing well there is less motivation to do it - unless it is done in jest. It serves a social function in both species.
Nature by Ty Buchanan
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Paranormal Research Continues in Russia

If you thought that research into the ethereal world of religion and beliefs have gone - think again. The Russians are pouring millions of rubles into analyzing the paranormal. Telekinesis and mind control are the main areas studied.

There has been continuous planned research beginning in 1917 and officially ending in 2003, though it is believed that it is still ongoing. It is estimated to have cost more than a billion dollars.

Psychotronics may sound like something to do with robotics, but it the Russian word for parapsychology. Russians still strongly believe that the human brain, being an electronic device, is capable of transmitting and receiving information.

There is film of a subject moving objects around a table purely by thought. Even thinking about it could stimulate the immune systems of humans and plants. Some people were influenced unknowingly by others forcing them to do things purely by targeted thought.

Igor Smirnov was quietly brought out of retirement in 2007 by the Russian government to start his research again. He is called the father of psychotronic weapons.
Science by Ty Buchanan
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