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humans are constantly beaming signals into space, in all directions. If aliens are picking up our signals, they likely already think we’re an awfully noisy bunch. [… N]ot only are we loudly announcing our existence, we are also telling them a lot about ourselves and our planet, making the annihilation of the human species quite easy for a highly advanced alien society.

The Bloody Creek structure is one of only three low-angled craters known to exist. It is only the 177th impact crater discovered on Earth.

This is very cool.

During a study, the animals were shown footage of a trained chimp combining two components to construct a tool that enabled it to reach a food reward.

When given the same two components, the chimps made their own tools and used them to drag over a tasty treat.

What I find even more interesting is that chimps who only saw part of the demo improvised solutions —- far more effectively than those who saw the entire demo:

Rather than faithfully copy the demonstration, these animals switched between using the unmodified tube or rod, and using the combined tool, depending on how far away the grape was.

“Those that had been shown the full demonstration, and had socially learned to make the longer tool, continued to make it even when the grape was so close that it was more awkward to use,” said Dr Price.

An interesting summary that sheds some light on human behaviour. Some of the points are obvious, at least in retrospect, while others might surprise you. Great food for thought. (via kottke.org)