Why birds do not fall while sleeping

(news.cnrs.fr)

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avar ◴[17 Oct 24 10:10 UTC] No.41868092[source]▶

This article doesn't even try to address what I feel is the deeper and more interesting question (but probably one that can't be answered): Why is it that horses, cows, giraffes and birds have all had to come up with a purely passive solution of "locking" themselves in place, either via their joints (for the four-legged), or via the tendon mechanism described here for birds?

I.e. why wasn't in simpler in evolutionary terms to come up with some mechanism where 1% of the brain was dedicated to the relatively simple task of "station keeping", while the rest of the brain could benefit from sleep?

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1. Agentus ◴[17 Oct 24 12:33 UTC] No.41869047[source]▶

>>41868092 #

Evolution is like DFS depth first search, it isnt looking for an optimal way optimally its just going down a branch until it finds a satisfactory solution.

Sleep according to sleep scientist matthew walker, isnt what it seems. If i remember correctly theres even more brain activity and it serves certain goals like behavior refinement, among other things not just refreshing yourself. There might not be more benefit by more sleep.

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2. BobaFloutist ◴[17 Oct 24 15:18 UTC] No.41870471[source]▶

>>41869047 (TP) #

My simple conception is that evolution loves local maxima.

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3. 0xdeadbeefbabe ◴[17 Oct 24 16:05 UTC] No.41870924[source]▶

>>41869047 (TP) #

It never left the "does need to sleep" branch. It's not much a sci fi writer.

4. xyzwave ◴[17 Oct 24 16:06 UTC] No.41870938[source]▶

>>41870471 #

Therefore mutations ensure you don't get stuck there.

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5. Log_out_ ◴[17 Oct 24 16:39 UTC] No.41871232{3}[source]▶

>>41870938 #

Then some bored postgrad adds grasshopper gears & wheels to a lab cockroach. One mutation to force evolution everywhere.

Little chitin matchbox racecaroaches everywhere ..

6. fennecbutt ◴[21 Oct 24 22:21 UTC] No.41909178[source]▶

>>41869047 (TP) #

Exactly, it takes more time and energy to undo a mutation that unblocks a better solution than it is to mutate a solution that works with existing mutations.

It's why intelligent machines will absolutely destroy us when it comes to being "superior".

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