Octopuses have been observed carrying coconut shells in what researchers claim is the first recorded example of tool use in invertebrates. … Veined octopuses…have been filmed picking up coconut halves from the seabed to use as hiding places when they feel threatened.
Given what we knowabout them, I don’t think this is all that shocking–personally, I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that an army of octopi dragged the killer iceberg into the side of the Titanic or formed like Voltron and shot JFK from the grassy knoll.
Via @Rands, here’s a way to get some interesting facts about people (and yourself): your Permanent Record.
There’s a lot of contradictory information (I have not, in fact, ever supported the Republican party), but it’s just accurate enough to make you nervous (my old home address, all my immediate family members’ names–and I do not like marketing calls! Correct!). The site also suggests that I’m used to “the pitter-patter of little feet.” I suppose this is true–Quipu’s feet are very small.
Additionally, Carolinedoes like both dogs and cats, and is pretty close to her family (whose names I will not disclose, but are correct).
Scott, however, seems to have gotten away…scot-free?
Finally, as a fun side project, start calling your acquaintances and asking about their family.
After some initial swine flu terror (All the victims were between 25 and 50?), I got curious*. There are two drugs currently being prescribed to treat the disease, oseltamivir (branded Tamiflu from Hoffman-La Roche) and Zanamivir (branded Relenza), so I did a quick search on Google Trends.
The full country-by-country results are interesting, too–Mexico is the only country where oseltamivir searches even come close to Tamiflu (In the US, Tamiflu outperforms oseltamivir 64:1). It might be a good time to invest in Hoffman-La Roche. As long as you don’t die.
*Okay, I won’t lie. I’m still terrified of this stuff. I’ll probably have a panic attack on the metro or something.
