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agsr

Scientists Pinpoint How A Flamingo Balances On One Leg
http://www.kpbs.org/news/2017/may/25/scientists-pinpoint-how-a-flamingo-balances-on/
Maybe I am missing something, but why would this discovery be interesting in any useful way.  I was thinking if it could help us solve any real life problems, but cannot think of any. Can you?

melanielust

I don't think it matters. Sometimes scientific discovery exists for the sake of discovery, not because it is necessarily useful, and I think that's great. A wide range of people could be interested in this - ornithologists, biologists, physicists, etc. I guess it could be argued that this discovery can aid humanity by helping us study stability, motion, and balance, which can help improve anything from athlete performance to architecture. Scientists study animals all the time to see if any of their adaptations can apply to our human world. At least it's something interesting to some people, personally after reading the article I found it interesting as well.

WhyTrump

@melanielust, I agree as well. Science doesn't always need to be useful, as otherwise it would become to commercial.  I always wondered about the Flamingo's and enjoyed reading the article. Wasnt crazy about dead flamingo, but it's not like they killed it

CYDdharta

Actually, this could be a useful development for robotics and artificial intelligence.

islander507

@CYDdharta, possibly.  I don't think I can see direct application unless there is some unforeseen efficiency of one-legged robot. 
I agree however that it can somehow turn into a useful discovery 

joecavalry

Yes, it could contribute to builidng new technologies.

SuperSith89

Of course it is helpful.  We now know the meaning of life and how to achieve inner peace.  I mean look at that form....

billpassed

It is very helpful, we can take DNA samples from the flamingos and adapt this into humans.

ale5

Now I can learn how to stand on one leg for hours like Flamingo. lol

putinfan

Yes, and it's dacinaiting research that can contribute to international societ for animals and humans alike.

inc4t

@putinfan, I also agree that the research will have good potential.  Even if it doesn't nothing is wrong of having such research just for sake of science.

Evidence

I think the bird is just showing off?
I mean walking and  standing on two long stilts/sticks is bad enough, but ONE? Yeah, just showing off. Like the humming bird that never stops flying, almost never uses its legs, you know what I mean?
And just think, both supposedly evolved over the same 4.2 billion years, same food source, same continent, same air, starting as the same amoeba .. why? Why would one evolve as an easy target for the predators? Even looks like an already roasted goose, ready to eat!
It screams "Come and get me! Eat me!" lol.

Evidence

CYDdharta said:

Actually, this could be a useful development for robotics and artificial intelligence.

You're right, it sure could. Look how long it took to make the Honda ASIMO robot to walk up the stairs, .. now lets see ASIMO walk with two long sticks like that, or balance on one of them going off line, .. in sleep mode!?