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Rats learned to drive

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Re: Rats learned to drive

#52
post #41

Just now scientists are finding out driving is fun, when we're just about ready to ban it! Mind you, I don't think the rats would enjoy it as much if they had to share the road with the kind of rats I share it with, and if the penalty for crashing (or being crashed into) was as high.

Pfffft, nobody is banning driving. Self driving cars are not going to be rolled out that widely for a while. Also, moving away from car centric infrastructure doesn't mean that cars are getting banned. That's such a weird US centric take I see way too often.

Here in the Netherlands, we arguably have some of the most bike and pedestrian friendly infrastructure in the world. Guess what, we also have a very well respected car infrastructure with high quality highways and connections.

Focussing on other modes of transport isn't banning cars, it is making cars optional for those who choose to do so. Or worded differently, it gives people a choice.

With that out of the way, the title here on HN is misleading. It is not so much about driving but enrichment in general.

Re: Rats learned to drive

#54
I saw a news story about rats being trained in Tanzania to search for people under rubble. These animals have sharp hearing and an excellent sense of smell. I just don’t remember the exact breed of these rats. I really like these animals!

Re: Rats learned to drive

#55
post #41

Just now scientists are finding out driving is fun, when we're just about ready to ban it! Mind you, I don't think the rats would enjoy it as much if they had to share the road with the kind of rats I share it with, and if the penalty for crashing (or being crashed into) was as high.

Driving is fun until you factor in traffic, reckless drivers, and the stakes of accidents

Re: Rats learned to drive

#57
post #44
post #8

This reminded me of the orangutan driving a golf cart: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DJsn1QivbKM He has mastered it. He clearly understands the concept of roads vs sidewalks. He can drive using one hand. And most importantly, he obviously has a great time doing that.

and that reminds me of... https://www.youtu.be/IFACrIx5SZ0 orangutan the carpenter https://www.youtu.be/PcvH1eOjOVs parrot drives his own car

Strange, browser shows error, and nslookup can't resolve DNS for www.youtu.be either, even using Google's own 8.8.8.8 server. (nxdomain)

Re: Rats learned to drive

#58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think we've evolved very far from apes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHODo_jIPo4

Humans and apes are equally evolved

> Humans and apes are equally evolved

Can't wait to hear an ape argue that online.

Oh, wait.

Re: Rats learned to drive

#59

I saw a news story about rats being trained in Tanzania to search for people under rubble. These animals have sharp hearing and an excellent sense of smell. I just don’t remember the exact breed of these rats. I really like these animals!

I believe there is also a very interesting project that uses trained rats to detect and mark landmines for clearing. The rats can apparently smell even very old explosives under the dirt, and unlike their handlers are too light to set them off :)
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