Today I Learned #4: Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.

[Ferocitus]

We would lose most of Florida.

That would be a disaster!

True, if they mean the length of feet. But if it's the height of feet, Florida might still be Ok.

 

[Samson]

We would lose most of Florida.

That would be a disaster!

We would lose where a lot of the worlds population lives: Approximately 1.88 × 10^9 people, or 33.5% of world population, live within 100 vertical meters of sea level. 190ft = 58m, that will be a lot of the world on the move.

Spoiler Graph of pop by elevation and others :

Source

 

[Birdjaguar]

We would lose most of Florida.

That would be a disaster!

Less than we might imagine....

 

[Takhisis]

But where would they film CSI then?

 

[Birdjaguar]

But where would they film CSI then?

St. Louis.

 

[Ferocitus]

Devastating ant species capable of blinding elephants discovered near Daintree Rainforest
The discovery of one of the world's most invasive ant species on the doorstep to the Daintree
Rainforest could spell disaster for the World Heritage-listed site and its endemic plants and
animals.

Electric ants, native to Central and South America, were first discovered in Cairns in 2006.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-04/electric-ants-at-doorstep-of-daintree-rainforest/100958820

OTOH, we're lucky we don't have elephants.

 

[Samson]

TIL that love robots are a thing

Where else but Japan

The robots in question are called LOVOTs – a name that combines the words Love and Robot to reflect the creations' intended role as an object of domestic affection for residents of Japan that fancy cuddling up to a furry machine. LOVOTs roll around on wheels and have a cylindrical object on their head containing a camera and other sensors.

The LOVOT was announced in 2018 and went on sale in 2020. Groove X has stated the machine's design "makes people truly happy by its innocent character and charming gestures that feels satisfying to cuddle" and "gently stirs people's feelings and fills them with happiness [and] draws out their capacity to love and gives them the energy to face their tomorrows."

LOVOTs are only sold in Japan – either on subscription or outright from ¥283,000 ($2,300) for a pre-loved unit. Groove X also sells clothing and accessories for LOVOTs, with seasonal apparel regularly released and tie-ins such as a Hello Kitty collaboration offering owners the chance to build their ultimate kawaii dream robot companion.

Japanese startup Groove X will on Saturday stage fittings for a wearable sling - somewhat akin to baby carriers - designed to let owners of "Love Robots" more easily carry the machines wherever they go.

The fitting session will take place in the newly expanded LOVOT Studio – a store in downtown Tokyo that this week opened a space in which LOVOT owners can congregate, with their robots, to enjoy each other's company among like-minded friends.
​

 

[tjs282]

An animatronic Teletubby?!?

 

[EgonSpengler]

I can almost understand a robot assistant/companion that rolls around, responds to voice commands, etc. It'd be like having an R2D2. But for cuddling? Let me know when they look like Gemma Chan, though, and I might change my mind.

 

[Samson]

I can almost understand a robot assistant/companion that rolls around, responds to voice commands, etc. It'd be like having an R2D2. But for cuddling? Let me know when they look like Gemma Chan, though, and I might change my mind.

There are a whole load of "love robots" that are more like that.

 

[Grendeldef]

I'm wondering when will there be the first Red LED district for people who can't afford being a batterydaddy?

Overall this seems more as inevitable than surprising.

 

[MaryKB]

I can almost understand a robot assistant/companion that rolls around, responds to voice commands, etc. It'd be like having an R2D2. But for cuddling? Let me know when they look like Gemma Chan, though, and I might change my mind.

My understanding is that all of the cuddle-bots will be male.

 

[EgonSpengler]

My understanding is that all of the cuddle-bots will be male.

Well, that's sexist.

 

[MaryKB]

Well, that's sexist.

Nah, there's no reason you can't love a male cuddle-bot

 

[EgonSpengler]

Nah, there's no reason you can't love a male cuddle-bot

Hey, maybe I want one of each.

 

[Samson]

TIL the breed of dog blamed for the most dog attack claims in the UK is the Labrador.

 

[EgonSpengler]

There are a whole load of "love robots" that are more like that.

Like R2D2? That's not really my kink, but I don't judge.

 

[MaryKB]

Like R2D2? That's not really my kink, but I don't judge.

R2 has many gadgets. I'm sure he has one for pleasure.

 

[GinandTonic]

TIL the breed of dog blamed for the most dog attack claims in the UK is the Labrador.

Well it's the most popular breed of dog. More labs = more attacks. Plus it's a big dog making the attacks more report-worthy - if a sausage dog has a nip it's unlikely to need hospital treatment.

 

[Takhisis]

Nah, there's no reason you can't love a male cuddle-bot

You're reminding me of Lysistrata, now.