Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Y no worm on walk?
Another worm puzzle.
In the morning after a rainy night, worms are all over the street but NOT on the sidewalks.
Thinking in linear human form, this makes no sense. The sidewalks are bone-dry and the street is still damp from rain running in the gutter. The sidewalks are accessible to a much larger expanse of grass on two sides, and the street is only accessible to the narrow 'parking' strip on one side.
Linear humans would think the goal is MAXIMUM DRY, and the greater expanse of soil should yield the larger number of worms.
Obviously the worms have a more tanh-style goal. All senses are two-ended. Worms don't want to drown, and they don't want to dessicate. They want to be DAMP, and the street near the curb is DAMP.
One possible exception that might test the rule: Some sections of sidewalk are damp because of gathered pine needles that retain moisture by surface tension. Still no worms.
Do the worms know from generationally acquired experience that the street is the place to go?
= = = = =
Update next day: This morning I walked during a moderate rain after an earlier burst of heavy rain. The streets are wet, with 1/2 inch of water in low spots, and the sidewalks are thoroughly damp but without standing water. The rule still holds. Lots of worms on the street, zero on the sidewalks. Improves the case for learned choices.
Thinking in linear human form, this makes no sense. The sidewalks are bone-dry and the street is still damp from rain running in the gutter. The sidewalks are accessible to a much larger expanse of grass on two sides, and the street is only accessible to the narrow 'parking' strip on one side.
Linear humans would think the goal is MAXIMUM DRY, and the greater expanse of soil should yield the larger number of worms.
Obviously the worms have a more tanh-style goal. All senses are two-ended. Worms don't want to drown, and they don't want to dessicate. They want to be DAMP, and the street near the curb is DAMP.
One possible exception that might test the rule: Some sections of sidewalk are damp because of gathered pine needles that retain moisture by surface tension. Still no worms.
Do the worms know from generationally acquired experience that the street is the place to go?
= = = = =
Update next day: This morning I walked during a moderate rain after an earlier burst of heavy rain. The streets are wet, with 1/2 inch of water in low spots, and the sidewalks are thoroughly damp but without standing water. The rule still holds. Lots of worms on the street, zero on the sidewalks. Improves the case for learned choices.Labels: Asked and badly answered, Grand Blueprint
¶ 10:02 AM
