March 1, 2007: Remotely controlled dove

Undertoad · 03-01-2007, 06:07 AM

20minutos.es has this one in their daily gallery. It's Shandong University in Qingdao, China, and they say they've worked out how to place electrodes in the dove's brain such that they can direct where it flies.

Dove? Or pigeon?

Anyway, I sort of doubt it. The decisions on where and how to fly roll through the bird's brain really fast. They may be able to tell it to turn left one time, lowering its left wing or whatever, but they surely can't direct it as if with a joystick or Wii controller.

The picture is striking, because it looks like these guys are just rudely cutting into the bird's skull, inserting their controller, and then covering the whole wound up with a hot glue gun. (It's probably not actually glue, but still.) It just doesn't seem like there would be enough bogus science involved to justify hurting the animal.

Sundae · 03-01-2007, 06:12 AM

This was in the Metro yesterday, but without such a graphic picture.
I thought at the time that it sounded grim.
That's definitely a pigeon in my book.

Trilby · 03-01-2007, 07:09 AM

the Chinese definitely need a PETA chapter.

Pie · 03-01-2007, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

Dove? Or pigeon?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

In general parlance the terms "dove" and "pigeon" are used somewhat interchangeably. In ornithological practice there is a tendency for "dove" to be used for smaller species and "pigeon" for larger ones, but this is in no way consistently applied, and historically the common names for these birds involve much variation between "dove" and "pigeon".

dove == pigeon == flying rat.

All the same, eek!

Ibby · 03-01-2007, 07:33 AM

This is so chinese.

It really is.

"We need mind control! I dont care if you have to open-air the brain, do it!"

Sheldonrs · 03-01-2007, 08:09 AM

I can understand the use of animals in some experiments for medical research but only if there is no other alternative.
This just seems needlessly cruel. I hope every bird in China craps on the researcher's heads and then pecks their eyes out.

Kitsune · 03-01-2007, 08:47 AM

Oh, the fun I'll have with this...!

Flint · 03-01-2007, 08:53 AM

.

Shawnee123 · 03-01-2007, 09:11 AM

Wacky f'in Asians.

Tomtheman5 · 03-01-2007, 09:44 AM

My partner is terrified of birds. I *need* to get my hands on one of these things.

No more sleeping on the couch for me, once I set my pigeon to "eye-pecking" mode

Elspode · 03-01-2007, 01:50 PM

That picture kind of reminds me of how lobster tails are served.

Trilby · 03-01-2007, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elspode

That picture kind of reminds me of how lobster tails are served.

Cockroaches of the Sea. Filthy.

Sundae · 03-01-2007, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianna

Cockroaches of the Sea. Filthy.

When I win the lottery I am drugging you, like they used to drug Mr T in the A Team, and taking you to the Scilly Isles (just off the UK coastline). We will go to a little restaurant in the morning to tell them we would please like to have loster that evening and they will catch it to order.

And that night we are going to sit down and eat lobster thermidore and you are going to enjoy it. Or you don't get any more drugs.

Trilby · 03-01-2007, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

When I win the lottery I am drugging you, like they used to drug Mr T in the A Team, and taking you to the Scilly Isles (just off the UK coastline). We will go to a little restaurant in the morning to tell them we would please like to have loster that evening and they will catch it to order.

And that night we are going to sit down and eat lobster thermidore and you are going to enjoy it. Or you don't get any more drugs.

Sundae, I am totally up for it. You do realize that, conversely, if I win the lotto I'm taking YOU to Key West, Fla. where we'll stop at EVERY BAR on the island INCLUDING Hogsbreath. I'm looking for total dedication to tequila. Or roofies, whatever happens to come by. K?

Kitsune · 03-01-2007, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianna

Cockroaches of the Sea. Filthy.

And delicious.

If cockroaches tasted as good, you'd bet I'd eat them instead of spraying for them.

03-01-2007, 06:07 AM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	March 1, 2007: Remotely controlled dove 20minutos.es has this one in their daily gallery. It's Shandong University in Qingdao, China, and they say they've worked out how to place electrodes in the dove's brain such that they can direct where it flies. Dove? Or pigeon? Anyway, I sort of doubt it. The decisions on where and how to fly roll through the bird's brain really fast. They may be able to tell it to turn left one time, lowering its left wing or whatever, but they surely can't direct it as if with a joystick or Wii controller. The picture is striking, because it looks like these guys are just rudely cutting into the bird's skull, inserting their controller, and then covering the whole wound up with a hot glue gun. (It's probably not actually glue, but still.) It just doesn't seem like there would be enough bogus science involved to justify hurting the animal.

03-01-2007, 06:12 AM	#2
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	This was in the Metro yesterday, but without such a graphic picture. I thought at the time that it sounded grim. That's definitely a pigeon in my book. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

03-01-2007, 07:09 AM	#3
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	the Chinese definitely need a PETA chapter. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

03-01-2007, 07:33 AM	#5
Ibby erika Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: "the high up north" Posts: 6,127	This is so chinese. It really is. "We need mind control! I dont care if you have to open-air the brain, do it!" __________________ not really back, you didn't see me, i was never here shhhhhh

03-01-2007, 08:09 AM	#6
Sheldonrs Master Dwellar Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,412	I can understand the use of animals in some experiments for medical research but only if there is no other alternative. This just seems needlessly cruel. I hope every bird in China craps on the researcher's heads and then pecks their eyes out. __________________ Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and the world laughs AT you.

03-01-2007, 08:47 AM	#7
Kitsune still eats dirt Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 3,031	Oh, the fun I'll have with this...! Attached Images

03-01-2007, 08:53 AM	#8
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	bird crap on a treadmill... . Attached Images __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

03-01-2007, 09:11 AM	#9
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Wacky f'in Asians. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

03-01-2007, 09:44 AM	#10
Tomtheman5 Antagonistic Antagonist Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 22	My partner is terrified of birds. I need to get my hands on one of these things. No more sleeping on the couch for me, once I set my pigeon to "eye-pecking" mode

03-01-2007, 01:50 PM	#11
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	That picture kind of reminds me of how lobster tails are served. Attached Images __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

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