Dossier C : Crows

It's been several years since I was struck on the back of my head by a crow. My initial hatred and desire for revenge have subsided, but I am still always aware and wary of The Crows. We have reached some sort of detente, even though I know they are my Enemy, and I will never again trust them.

I think my vigilance and suspicion is justified -- after all, they drew first blood. My experience is not uncommon, as this Langara College-designed map of common crow attack areas in Vancouver indicates. [CrowTrax] In fact, the map is crowd-sourced, so if you are swooped or struck, add your experience to the map! (Thx VanBuzz for the great story about the map!)

As if we needed any reminders as to how insidiously clever and ruthless this Enemy is... here are some interesting random tidbits I've collected:

They use complex tools... even more complex than imagined: they can make tools that only humans have been known to make previously.

They can solve complex problems, involving multiple steps: this crow can solve a problem involving eight steps.



A crow's brain can recognize numbers: and counting crows' neurons work just like humans.

And we already knew: crows recognize faces... and they know where you're hiding.



Though also just like us, sometimes hard work just doesn't pay off: crow versus pizza box.



And they hold funerals. (thx Devour)



Our only defense, other than carrying around a tennis racket (which I have been tempted to do), is education. PSA: from VanCity Buzz, 8 tips to prevent crow attacks.

Dossier C | Ants

A collection of information an a single topic of interest. This edition: Ants.

Worker Management Theory: Enslave strong enemies, not weak ones. [bbc]
Multi-cultural Studies: NYC is an ant "melting pot." [NatGeo]
Power Structure Studies: Ant colony behaviour and human projections of intent. [BostonReview]
Field Controversy: The thinking of E.O. Wilson. [IntelligentLife]
Population Studies: Living on top of an Argentine ant colony. [Esquire]
Transportation Development: The autobahn of ants. [economist][wired] [JEB]
Sensationalism Harnessing: Mega-colony rules Europe! [bbc]
Zombie Research: Flies create zombie ants for gestation. [NatGeo]
Stink Studies: Smell saves ants from being "buried alive". [NewScientist]
Reproduction Alternatives: All-female ant species clones self. [io9]

Communication Studies: How ant communitcate with each other.



Structural Review: Ant colony filled with concrete and excavated.

Dossier C | Neandertals

Human evolution has always been a fascination -- here are news items I've collected about our closest evolutionary siblings.



Cultural or Technological Advancement: Independent Tool Development. [BBC]
Genetics: Genome Mapping. [wired] [NatlGeo]
Interbreeding: Are we related? Yes! [BBC] [CBC] [NatlGeo]
Theory of extinction: Volcanoes! [NatlGeo]
Theory of extinction: Music! [NatlGeo]
Theory of extinction: Devoured! [guardian.uk]
Interspecies Interaction: Murder! [NatlGeo]
Tidbits: Top 10 Misconceptions. [ListVerse]

And collected tidbits relating to humanoid evolution.

Basic Building Blocks: All species evolved from a single cell. [NatlGeo]
Expansion: Interactive slideshow depicting expansion of humanity. [BradshawFoundation]
Dirt-Digging: Oldest Human Skeleton Found. [NatlGeo]
New Hominin Cousin: X-Woman. [BBC]
New Hominin Cousin: Spain. [NatlGeo]
New Hominin Cousin: "Ida". [CBC]
Hominin Cousin Update: "Ida" distant kin, not ancestor. [CBC] [NatlGeo]
Hominin Cousin Update: Orangutans may be closer relatives than Chimps. [NatlGeo]

And collected tidbits relating to "Stone Age" developments.

Cultural or Technological Advancement: Early Tool Use. [NatlGeo]
Cultural or Technological Advancement: Language (as seen through modern primates). [NatlGeo]
Cultural or Technological Advancement: Music! [nyt]
Cultural or Technological Advancement: Super-Glue! [NatlGeo]
Cultural or Technological Advancement: Compassion. [wired]
Threats and Troubles: Becoming Dinner! [NatlGeo]