Why is learning proof of culture? This idea permeates the report that chimpanzees, can learn from each other how to solve a puzzle.[1] Or perhaps its the fact that when two chimps were taught different ways to solve the puzzle, some chimps learned from one and others from the other, and they did not seem to settle, as a group, on a single solution, but rather to stick with the one they learned initially. To me this seems not an indication of culture, but an indication of stupidity. They failed to rationally evaluate which solution was most efficient, and settle on that one. Rather, it demonstrates simple utility, once they found a solution, they were not interested in learning others.

[1] BBC News. “Chimpanzee culture ‘confirmed’” BBC News (World Edition, online). 2005-08-22 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4166756.stm

Nearly as disturbing is the news that Australia is moving those women who choose to serve in its armed forces nearer to combat. While apparently still not in actual combat roles, they are now on the front line itself “in support roles such as clerical, medical, transport and logistics posts.”[1] Apparently, somehow, this increased risk of death and dismemberment makes the military a “more attractive career option” for Australia’s women.[2] I will tell you what it does do, it puts their entire military force at greater risk, as these women will be less capable of assisting those around them survive the physical demands of combat, and as the men around them must fight with their instincts to act as the gentlemen they should be.

On a side note, I am sure this will make it all the harder here.[3]

[1] BBC News. “Women join Australia combat units” BBC News (World Edition, online). 2005-08-22 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4172538.stm
[2] See above.
[3] Schierer, Luke. “20050519-0957″ Random Unfinished Thoughts. 2005-05-19 http://www.schierer.org/~luke/log/20050519-0957/20050519-0957

Listening to the radio this morning, I heard the first mention of claims that scientists had discovered a way to create “embryonic” stem cells without creating or destroying a human life in the process. Such claims are significant news, because, despite the fact that there is much more significant progress in research using “adult” stem cells, it seems scientists are wedded to the idea of using these “embryonic” type stem cells.

Unfortunately, reading about the development, I have found it to be, or at least appear, far less than advertised.[1][2] What they seem to have done is merely limit how many lives their research requires, by taking stem cells from an embryos, and creating an unusually high number of usable stem cells from that original set by fusing them in some way with adult skin cells. They hope to pass this off as the creation of stem cells without loss of life, glossing over the fact that it requires you start with cells that must come at the cost of a life.

[1] BBC News. “Stem cell research hybrid hope” BBC News (World Edition, online). 2005-08-22 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4174400.stm
[2] Fox, Maggie. “Scientists send skin cell back to embryo stage” Reuters. 2005-08-22 http://today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyID=uri:2005-08-22T055304Z_01_DIT221123_RTRIDST_0_SCIENCE-CELLS-DC.XML&pageNumber=0&summit=