Beaks, noses, crucifixions, and Bacon of course
Plenty of interesting news in the world today…
1.
Squid Beaks Use Chemical Trick to Keep From Tearing Off
Apparently the jumbo squid’s beak is made of one of the hardest substances known, able to shear through the spine of foes but until now scientists were stumped as to how it was able to do this and yet maintain integrity at the base…why did it not shear right off. Seems there is a changing gradient of stiffness throughout the structure. “Scientists estimate that more than ten million squid live in a 25-square-mile (65-square-kilometer) area in the Gulf of California.”
2.
An electric shock helps people to better discriminate between smells.
And it seems that our beaks function better after -well you see the headline. I do believe I see a marketing opportunity here. Either a portable nose prod to take to dinner to get the full experience, or perhaps packaged with good bottles of wine.
The punchline is that (and maybe a punch in the nose would also have worked then) fear is the motivator.
3.
Filipinos warned on crucifixions
In order to cut down on unnecessary infections, when you are planning to have yourself nailed to a cross, make sure to sanitize your nails, and the whips too, if you are into flagellation.
4.
Francis Bacon
Just ran across this when I was looking at crucifixion images. Hadn’t seen it before but I like it.
I’ve decided Francis Bacon creeps me out.
But that squid is rather beautiful. So white. Such a clear image.
Comment by amuirin — March 28, 2008 @ 9:43 pm