I doubt crabs could make it as an intelligent interplanetary species. I mean claws are cool and all, but really tough to use tools with.
this post was submitted on 28 Nov 2024
813 points (98.9% liked)
Science Memes
11243 readers
3114 users here now
Welcome to c/science_memes @ Mander.xyz!
A place for majestic STEMLORD peacocking, as well as memes about the realities of working in a lab.
Rules
- Don't throw mud. Behave like an intellectual and remember the human.
- Keep it rooted (on topic).
- No spam.
- Infographics welcome, get schooled.
This is a science community. We use the Dawkins definition of meme.
Research Committee
Other Mander Communities
Science and Research
Biology and Life Sciences
- !abiogenesis@mander.xyz
- !animal-behavior@mander.xyz
- !anthropology@mander.xyz
- !arachnology@mander.xyz
- !balconygardening@slrpnk.net
- !biodiversity@mander.xyz
- !biology@mander.xyz
- !biophysics@mander.xyz
- !botany@mander.xyz
- !ecology@mander.xyz
- !entomology@mander.xyz
- !fermentation@mander.xyz
- !herpetology@mander.xyz
- !houseplants@mander.xyz
- !medicine@mander.xyz
- !microscopy@mander.xyz
- !mycology@mander.xyz
- !nudibranchs@mander.xyz
- !nutrition@mander.xyz
- !palaeoecology@mander.xyz
- !palaeontology@mander.xyz
- !photosynthesis@mander.xyz
- !plantid@mander.xyz
- !plants@mander.xyz
- !reptiles and amphibians@mander.xyz
Physical Sciences
- !astronomy@mander.xyz
- !chemistry@mander.xyz
- !earthscience@mander.xyz
- !geography@mander.xyz
- !geospatial@mander.xyz
- !nuclear@mander.xyz
- !physics@mander.xyz
- !quantum-computing@mander.xyz
- !spectroscopy@mander.xyz
Humanities and Social Sciences
Practical and Applied Sciences
- !exercise-and sports-science@mander.xyz
- !gardening@mander.xyz
- !self sufficiency@mander.xyz
- !soilscience@slrpnk.net
- !terrariums@mander.xyz
- !timelapse@mander.xyz
Memes
Miscellaneous
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
Sure, but have you ever tried to disarm a crab and lived to tell the tale?
What is this "crabbification" evolution trend you speak of?
Intelligence favours dexterity of making/holding weapons and tools. Claws are not as good. Armour is always a nice to have, but the offense from weapons use from "hands" is better. I do like the idea of 360 rotating "eye arms" to catch backstabbers. Maybe more arms and legs.
A meme consisting of text is not a meme.
You need a picture too.
No, a picture of text doesn't count.
If noting else, at least your username is correct.
Wow. Creative and hurtful. You should feel proud.
But what if the human form is a prerequisite for evolving into the space age? We wouldn't need so many tools if we were strong as a crab to begin with
I've never seen a crab measure thousandths of an inch, or back a Phillip's head screw out of a hole with their crab strength. Tools are still required.
I've seen a wasp unscrew a screw I thought was in pretty tight.
What am asshole!
The premise is that they won't invent advanced things such as screws because the survival pressure is less intense
Howvabout Lizard people?
There are sexy lizards
Funny to think about it: Crabs are a huge local maximum of peak evolution
Taste like crab, talk like people.
Crab people. Crab people.
A fairly small number of known species evolved to the vaguely humanoid form, but 100% of known species with a human level of higher intelligence have had roughly this body plan, it's really not unreasonable to extrapolate that this could be a common body plan for intelligent aliens.
Taken more seriously, having the evolutionary background to have:
- fine control over your limbs, like fingers
- 3D-thinking (throwing) and manipulation
- cooperation
another human-like civilization is pretty unlikely.
known species with a human level of higher intelligence
- Humans (allegedly; evidence points to most being dumb as a rock).
- Some species of extinct hominids (sure, but they're extinct).
- Dolphins (and orcas, which are big fancy dolphins); absolute creeps, though.
- Whales, possibly, though they tend to keep to themselves, so who knows.
- Some species of octopods.
- Some species of parrots.
- Some species of corvids.
- I swear some of those black and white sheepdogs seem more intelligent than many of the people I know.
Dolphins and whales might be intelligent, but their bodies do not allow them effective use of complex tools. Same for birds.
Octopods do have a body that is flexible enough, but having evolved in water is a huge limiting factor. But some are able to move around outside water, so it's not too far fetched to imagine becoming a global species.
Octopods only live a few years though.
So we're back to square one. We got a serious luck of the draw with the whole package.
load more comments
(2 replies)
load more comments
(1 replies)
You guys should read the Stormlight archives. Fuckin everything is a crab, even the plants.
load more comments
(14 replies)
reminder:
You know who's not a coward? Captain James T Kirk.
Yeah, he was well known for spreading STDs throughout the universe - including crabs.
view more: next ›