3 ms·
The unnecessary inclusion of 'spider' in the article makes the claim 'vegan' suspect. It's plant-based silk. There are many creatures that spin silk, no need to
by hypertele-Xii 5y ago
The unnecessary inclusion of 'spider' in the article makes the claim 'vegan' suspect. It's plant-based silk. There are many creatures that spin silk, no need to mention "spider-like" specifically.
- DFHippie 5y agoWell, perhaps this is more similar to spider silk than other silks. I would like more detail on this point. But you can't expect too many details in a press release.
- bserge 5y agoAt first I thought they taught spiders to eat plants. Afaik, the vast majority are carnivore (by need not by choice).
- xvilka 5y agoThere is exactly one "vegan" spider species[1]. [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagheera_kiplingi https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagheera_kiplingi
- dkarl 5y agoI agree it's confusing in the title, but in context in the article it's more clear that the researchers call it "vegan spider silk" to capture their intention of creating a material with the properties of spider silk, using the same structure that makes spider silk strong at a molecular level, but using raw materials that can be sustainably derived from plants.
- goodpoint 5y agoThe article clarifies that it's specifically designed to be similar to spider's silk.
- lukeschlather 5y agoVegan silk would not be a remotely novel invention (in fact the first synthetic silk was invented in 1904.) "Spider silk" denotes that this silk has superior strength compared to existing synthetic silks. Not sure what you find suspect here.
- make3 5y agothis comment is a knee jerk reaction, it's pretty obvious why it's appropriate, please make more of an effort (spider silk is associated to strenght, regular silk is weak & for appearance)
- hypertele-Xii 5y agoOk. Thanks.