Observation #1: it is gorgeous outside. I am looking out the window of the McNeal computer lab, and the air is gently bluish and the brick-and mortar world underneath it looks like a prime spot for an adventure, as long as it lacks four walls. When weather like this happens after months of dark and knife-like cold, it does not matter whether I am blogging or schooling or knitting or hanging out, I would rather be outside. Doing those things. But since that is impractical and irresponsible at the moment, I'll tell you what I learned today.

Biomimicry. And proxemics. That is what I learned

Proxemics is the culturally varying phenomenon of personal space, bubble, distance, whatever. It is what makes it ok for an old friend to sit on your lap, and not a stranger. It is what makes loud phone conversations on the bus annoying, such that they end up in all their embarrassing detail on Overheard at the U of M. There's more to it, but that's the gist.

Biomimicry. ok. That kingfisher up there? he can dive into water WITHOUT A SPLASH. so as not to scare the fishies upon which he snacks. The folk who designed the Japanese bullet trains used the same strategy to keep the trains quiet coming out of tunnels, and to use less energy.

and sharks. I loved sharks as a small child, because they are cool. A particular kind of shark keeps its skin clean of bacteria because it has a certain sort of pattern on its body that bacteria cannot attach to. People are putting the same sort of patterns on hospital surfaces to reduce infections.

Namibian beetles have no access to fresh water, so they have grooves on their backs to collect dew, which they drink. Some skyscrapers use the same idea to collect water.

And there are a million more. It's quite cool.
I must run. I have no color class today, and it's free cone day at Ben and Jerry's.
And the thought of waltzing down the busy washboard of Washington Ave in the springish light with some buds and getting ice cream is rather intoxicating.
keep thy nose clean.
-Signed, Gyp.