Feedback is New Scientist’s popular sideways look at the latest science and technology news. You can submit items you believe may amuse readers to Feedback by emailing feedback@newscientist.com
How the whale crumbles
Exploring unusual units of measurement continues, with a focus on conveying the size of information. Bruce Horton challenges the idea of comparing large datasets to the genome of a blue whale, emphasizing that visualizing blue whale DNA size may not be as intuitive. He suggests using SNAP (SNAil-based data transfer Protocol), a unit of measurement where data is transferred by a snail attached to a cart with CD or DVD wheels, moving at 37,000 kilobytes per second.
Additionally, Ken Taylor and his wife introduce “the crumble” as a measure of dessert yield from their damson trees, humorously indicating a bad harvest year with just 3 crumbles in 2024.
Shock findings
An eye-opening discovery reveals that being hit by an SUV significantly increases the likelihood of death or serious injury compared to smaller cars. While this may seem obvious, the importance of scientifically verifying common assumptions is highlighted. Suggestions for contributions in the realm of “no shit, Sherlock” experiments are invited to explore mundane yet essential truths.
Licking badgers
Historian Greg Jenner’s experiment with Google’s AI generating explanations for made-up idioms showcases the technology’s ability to create elaborate meanings for nonsensical phrases. This prompts a series of invented sayings and AI interpretations, revealing the quirks and limitations of such systems when faced with absurd inputs.
Despite the fun, the reliance on AI for factual information raises concerns about accuracy and trustworthiness. The balance between entertainment and reliability in AI-generated content is questioned, underscoring the need for critical evaluation of automated responses.
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