Science can be FUN !

from Wired:

I didn't know this two weeks ago, but it turns out the problem with science is that there aren't enough theories involving prehistoric narcissistic psychopathic art mollusks.

Here's the background: A paleontologist recently gave a presentation in which he posited that there once existed a type of giant sea squid that preyed on ichthyosaurs. Ichthyosaurs, by way of explanation, are ancient aquatic reptiles that look like a cross between a dolphin and a prison shiv.

The paleontologist's theory was that this killer calamari would capture its prey, drag it down and eat it. So far so good — standard giant death squid behavior. Where it gets weird is that this beastie then carefully arranged the bones of the deceased ichthyosaur on the ocean floor. Where it gets weird and eerie is that it arranged the bones to resemble its own tentacle suckers. (By the way, I took a moment to look up the proper scientific term for tentacle suckers. Turns out it's "tentacle suckers." Ten points to House Nomenclature!)

Now, I understand that we can't necessarily apply our modern sensibilities and morality to the culture of million-year-old purely theoretical invertebrates, but at the same time, that's some serious serial killer activity right there.

Imagine a child, playing with chicken bones after the family meal, absorbed in his task. The pattern made by the neatly laid-out bones looks a bit familiar, but you can't place it. So you ask, "What's that you're making there?"

The child looks at you and says, in a calm, quiet voice, "It's me."

Speaking for myself, at that point I go online and check to see if Amazon delivers exorcisms.


continues @ http://www.wired.com/underwire/2011/10/alt-text-ichthyosaurs/