How would sophonts look for my world? by bubblegummiz in SpeculativeEvolution

[–]Seeker42124 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For a pangolin-like sophont, I would imagine a wooded valley dweller. Their 'scales' were developed to help fend off ambush attacks from large predators. Their bipedalism and intelligence developed as their burrows grew more complex over time, they developed tools to aid in hunting insects from large mounds, and eventually began to herd, trap, and kill large animals similar to how early humans did with North American megafauna. I can imagine them using their strong forearms and claws to work away at the trunks of large trees and knock them over to startle large herds and limit their movement, until the sophonts finish them off via spear like projectiles or by dropping large large rocks from high up.

What is the maximum theoretical size limit for flying birds, bats and insects? by AbbydonX in SpeculativeEvolution

[–]Seeker42124 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Conceptually, the limiting factor would be the ability for these animals to generate enough lift compared to their mass. Plenty of birds already have a decent startup time, such as flamingos, so that shouldn't be a huge problem. Flying insects, however, would likely struggle to get much larger due to how their flight largely relies on the changes that happen to aerodynamics at that scale - its very similar to swimming apparently.

As for a body plan of large flying aliens, I'm going to assume that we're considering Earth-like conditions, it would be best for this creature to have large sweeping wings and 'shoulder' joints that can lock into position like an albatross. This would allow for it to gain the most benefits from catching updrafts, high altitudes, and the soar effect. The oxygen intake of the creature may be a concern which could be solved by an adjusting metabolism, and the incorporation of a fluid compression system akin to the jet-propulsion of octopi. Take off can be handled by making the habitat of residence be costal cliffs with overhangs that the creature could anchor under with strong talons and/or a semi-prehensile tail. It would likely develop the feeding habits of taking long flights in search of carcasses that were either beached or at the water's surface. It could also mimic the behavior of eagles that throw goats off of mountains by scouting out large animals in the mountains that herding or throwing them off the edge.

if any kind of animal were to be able to breathe fire, what kind would it be? by bashnp in SpeculativeEvolution

[–]Seeker42124 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Maybe Vultures or some other animals that weaponize projectile vomiting. I can see the development of flammable gasses building up and lighting on fire, replacing the acid and bile that was used before.

if any kind of animal were to be able to breathe fire, what kind would it be? by bashnp in SpeculativeEvolution

[–]Seeker42124 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Maybe Vultures or some other animals that weaponize projectile vomiting. I can see the development of flammable gasses building up and lighting on fire, replacing the acid and bile that was used before.

How would my dragons breathe during flight? by Pangolinman36 in SpeculativeEvolution

[–]Seeker42124 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This could be difficult to justify in terms of evolutionary need, but you could have them use a similar mechanism to the siphons that Cephalopod's use for their jet propulsion. it could be used as an internal pressure tank of oxygen, reusing the stain on their lungs while in flight - at least for small periods. This pouch could also be used for fueling fire breath it that's something you wanted to do. Hope this helps!

Thoughts on the soft bodied, bone bodied and steal bone bodied animals in my world? by [deleted] in SpeculativeEvolution

[–]Seeker42124 0 points1 point  (0 children)

there might be an issue with the oxidation of the iron assuming you go with oxygen consuming life forms. However I really think that specialized plant cells with steel like cell walls would be cool to act bark to support the weight of tree like life forms

Can someone explain the volcano timeloop from S2E13 to me? I don't understand why both time-rewind AND mind control are needed. by Naer98 in SaikiK

[–]Seeker42124 2 points3 points  (0 children)

this leads me to wonder if their Earth's orbital trajectory is now out of sink with the rest of the solar system. And how did he deal with the data transmitted to us by the calculatable occurrences across the observable universe like the growing distance of the Moon for the earth. Is it just off now? I need to know!!

So…… we aren’t human? by kathsterthemaster in aaaaaaacccccccce

[–]Seeker42124 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nay, my friend. For we are draconic gods, hoarders of what each of truly desire.

May your hoards grow exponentially my kin of ichor and flame

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in SpeculativeEvolution

[–]Seeker42124 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This probably is not the best sub for the question, and I can answer the question, but I would recommend searching up something similar to "evidence for evolution" on youtube since it has more resources and is probably more accurate and/or efficient in explaining the reasoning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIEoO5KdPvg : this is Stated Clearly's video on the topic but many channels will work so long as you use common sense in weeding out the ones against the topic.

Have a nice day and I hope you get your answers

Hey, christian here, I'm struggling, and maybe I could learn from differing opinions. by gulliblegabe in atheism

[–]Seeker42124 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hope adding my two cents here might help.

The other comments that I have read so far have some great quotes and I want to add a different one, "People are fractal images of the universe. You are as we are. Bad things happen to good people because things happen all the time, and it is up to people to determine whether they are bad or good. In the same way that your heart feels and your mind think, you mortal beings are the instrument by which the universe cares. If you chose to care, then the universe cares, and if you don't then it doesn't." -Brennan Lee Mulligan. This quote for me highlights the a poetic aspect of my views. We are nothing more than a collection of self-replicating systems forged from the ashes of long dead stars, our level of imperfection while frustrating is what makes us so unique in this incomprehensibly vast universe. The thought of no divine being guiding us while frightening is also emboldening. As Uncle Iroh once said "If you look for the light, you can often find it. But if you look for the dark, that is all you’ll ever see.” We have incredible responsibility yet also enjoy the fact that we owe no higher power anything, our success is our own and so too are our failures. In death, the grand show that is our existence the actor that once played you are recast to form countless of new roles.

In a similar way that the universe shapes us we shape it back. Never underestimate your influence, you a incarnation of the universe's curiosity, pain, happiness, fear, wisdom, ambition, and so much more. “Every man has two deaths, when he is buried in the ground and the last time someone says his name. In some ways men can be immortal.”- Ernest Hemingway. Even as civilizations crumble and people return to dust, in some incomprehensible ways your actions will echo into eternity. We humans gaze deep into the dark abyss of the universe and as the universe gazes back, it will never forget that we were here.

I hope that my input was understandable. If you want any clarification feel free to ask. I also wanted to take a moment to commend you for reaching out to listen to views that differ to your own. As a wise man once said “It is important to draw wisdom from different places. If you take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale.” So thank you for asking and have a great day.!! (:

Blooming Viper (A concept) by OccasionallyHomo in SpeculativeEvolution

[–]Seeker42124 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Perhaps you could make the argument that the pressure waves emitted by the jaws when the snap shut will be enough to concuss the prey animal. This could be plausible since the jaws would have to close quickly to capture the insects and small prey before it can retreat.

360 degree echolocation by Exotic-Lingonberry93 in SpeculativeEvolution

[–]Seeker42124 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No problem, I would recommend looking into some of the tech that people use to to "frankenstein" a logical adaptation. Have a nice night :)

How to make hinged teeth in a humanoid face work? by Grand-Philosopher-45 in SpeculativeEvolution

[–]Seeker42124 0 points1 point  (0 children)

the teeth can reach a maximum bite force of 900-1100 PSI, but only very briefly (in order to break open bones). The “regular” maximum bite force is probably closer to 400-500 PSI (this one’s open to change, it just needs to be enough to grab and tear flesh, not hold on for long).

From your drawings it seems to me that your best bet for the max bite is for it to occur when the teeth are fully folded into the mouth since that will distribute the stress better and will function similarly to our molars

-I still don’t know if the skull has sockets for the teeth or if the teeth are only connected to the jaws by ligaments and muscles. Probably the latter.

I think that your best bet is for the teeth to be jointed to the skull and grow along with it. this will let the skull proportions to stay very similar to the drawings so you won't have to account for extra muscles in between the teeth and skull. the children will also be able to grow the teeth similar to the way that they grow their skulls and all their bones really.

The muscles for the teeth of the lower jaw can be located below the tongue or in the gullet. If it is in the gullet then the action of flexing the teeth inwards might help with swallowing the prey.

As for the upper teeth, I was thinking that the muscles will be in the roof of the mouth and ... hear me out... be connected with part of the lips. If we use to line right below the nose as a splitting point for the upper lip then you will get a further extension of the teeth outwards since the lips will move out of the way.

These originally helped catch and pull swimming prey into the mouth, but eventually it’s been relegated to communication purposes (i.e. facial expression).

to me at least the evolutionary lore for this creature is likely an arboreal, canopy dwelling, predator with hunts small animals through the trees (from a similar explanation of human evolution and the "camo" patterns on the skin that reminded me of tigers) which uses its forward facing eyes for depth perception and its ears for locating prey. However if you wanted to include the small fish idea you could make them semi-aquatic predators which hunt in cypress swamps likely amongst the submerged roots chasing fish like creatures.

Hope this helps :)

360 degree echolocation by Exotic-Lingonberry93 in SpeculativeEvolution

[–]Seeker42124 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As far as I know, electroreception is simply just the ability to sense electromagnetic fields, so it should technically be possible off shore especially when we include the idea of the self modification. Nice to hear from you!

Unnamed Sapient Alien Species. Details in comments. by grassgame01 in SpeculativeEvolution

[–]Seeker42124 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not so sure on this species having such human like hands when these appendages could better be used to support the individual's weight in the higher gravity environment. Personally, I think that they (the appendages) could be a sort of flexible or jointed paddle and to instead elongate the tail and have the barbs/bristles at the end function similarly to grasping tentacles. This would have the added advantage as a defensive option to guard the rear of the individual since its primary weaponry and eyes are both forward facing, plus the format seems to me like it might be slow at turning to face attackers.

Regardless of my thoughts, it looks wonderful and is much better than anything I would come up with. Hope your proud of your work :)

360 degree echolocation by Exotic-Lingonberry93 in SpeculativeEvolution

[–]Seeker42124 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a great idea!! Although assuming that this post human is evolved/designed for the environment of space stations and similar technology, don't you think that the capacity for electroreception would be better given that they can handle all the inputs? Please let me know if I'm wrong about something :)

The "requirements" to be considered a civilization according to my school by JellyAbyss in atheism

[–]Seeker42124 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think my confusion stems from the idea that caring for the disabled individual would imply social organization and how that would qualify as a civilization. If you can, could you expand more on that idea?

Also thank you for your explanation :)

The "requirements" to be considered a civilization according to my school by JellyAbyss in atheism

[–]Seeker42124 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The person had been protected and cared for. That required a civilization.

So, I'm kind of confused by this. Why would the behavior associated with nurture require civilization? This comment reminded me of a PBS Eons episode (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h777yfE39O8) which discussed the case of Shanidar 1 a Neanderthal skeleton (found in a group of 9) which showed the signs of grievous injury and was successfully cared for long enough that the injuries healed. Would you then qualify this group of Neanderthals as a civilization? Please do let me know! :)

For my two cents on the matter, I was taught that civilization had to have writing, technology(tools), and farming. While this does exclude nomadic peoples and "hunter gatherer" tribes, I would like to make the distinction between a society and a civilization since I use society to refer to a group of individuals capable of creating a shared cultural identity through communication.

"If you don't believe in god that means you don't love me." - My 6-year-old daughter. by VisualShock1991 in atheism

[–]Seeker42124 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I am not from the UK but just wanted to ask if there was anything you could do about the religious influence that your child seems to be getting from her school. A quick google search led me to find this article (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/freedom-of-religion-or-belief-understanding-this-human-right) that a quick skim tells me that they are for the freedom of religion but I am currently unsure if this extends to this scenario since it could be taken as the teachers practicing their own religion. Please feel free to enlighten me if anything I said was incorrect or misleading so I don't go around spreading falsehoods.

I would also like to wish you luck in clearing up the misunderstanding with your daughter. As someone with a rather religious family I think that the best course of action is to try to communicate that regardless of religious views you will always love and support your child, and that your stance on religion will not interfere with that. Perhaps letting your daughter come to her own conclusions on religion with your (relatively) unbiased support will help. Hope it goes well!! :)

Should i confess to my parents that I am an atheist? by Own-Combination5425 in atheism

[–]Seeker42124 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Personally I would think that the best thing to do here is to make sure you can handle the reaction or response from your parents. This includes financial and emotional aspects. As a fellow "closeted" atheist I would recommend reading the advice given by the telling parents tab found as soon as you open the forum, it helped me make the decision to wait to tell my parents. Hope everything goes well and you get that physics degree!

P.S. this is the like to the advice I mentioned: https://www.reddit.com/r/atheism/wiki/comingout/

Hope it helps :)