Very Interesting – July-August 2019

W

e’ve always been fascinated by the

idea of creating autonomous

machines that resemble us, and if they

need to interact closely with us, we prefer

them to look familiar. Human-like robots

such as Honda’s ASIMO, Boston

Dynamics’ Atlas, and the childlike iCub

built by the Italian Institute of Technology

are amazing demonstrations of our

technology, but they still have a long way

to go – and when they look nearly human

but not quite, they end up looking

seriously freaky to us. Perhaps we

should just let robots be the shape they

need to be in order to best carry out

their function.

Why do we make robots look like humans?

Roberta Benson, Stellenbosch

P

igeons arose from the domestication of

rock doves, as early as 10,000 years ago.

Having originated from domestic stock, it’s no

surprise that feral pigeons are inherently

tolerant of humans. Happily living alongside

us, these unfussy eaters will flock to areas

where people feed them. The tall concrete

buildings within our cities are perfect pigeon

territory because they replicate the cliff faces

which are still home to wild rock doves.

Why are pigeons such successful city birds?

James Mason, Braamfontein

GETTY X4, ALAMY X2, SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY ILLUSTRATIONS: PETER SUCHESKI

What connects... 7 Up

and bipolar disorder?

1.

The original

formula for

7 Up was

created in

1929 by

Charles Leiper

Grigg. It was

initially marketed as a

patent medicine, like

many soft drinks during

the Great Depression.

2.

The ‘lemon-lime

soda’ contained

lithium citrate,

and although

Grigg never

confirmed the

origin of the

name ‘7 Up’,

one theory is that

the number 7 refers

to the atomic mass of

lithium.

3.

Lithium citrate

was known to

be a mood-

stabilising drug

(lithium tablets

are shown on the

left), and the drink

was sold as a pick-me-

up and hangover cure. An

early version of Coca-Cola

also contained lithium citrate.

4.

The drug was

removed from

7 Up in 1948,

but lithium

compounds are

still used today

to treat bipolar

disorder (image of

bipolar brain can be

seen on the right). They strengthen

connections in the brain regions that

regulate mood and behaviour.

Humanoid robots that

aren’t quite human

enough can trigger

feelings of revulsion.

Q&A

Questions & Answers

A Pigeons mate for

life, usually raising

two chicks at the

same time.

A Pigeons can hear

far lower frequencies

than humans can –

including the

approach of far-off

storms.

Q

&

A

FLASH

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