5 ms·

"Nature does not use wheels. So why do people?" Regardless of how interesting a concept or development may be, check the logic of what you're writing before yo

"Nature does not use wheels. So why do people?" Regardless of how interesting a concept or development may be, check the logic of what you're writing before you hit publish.

dylan604 5y ago
I'd suggest the logic test before sitting down to write the thing. "But it's the internet and everyone has the right to hear my opinion" is too strong to resist.
twobitshifter 5y ago
Wheels aren’t all too useful without roads and fixed cleared paths. Any prey can escape a wheeled predator easily and a predator could push wheeled prey to unmanageable terrain. A wheeled jaguar can’t get you when you are swinging through the trees.
- wpietri 5y ago
  Exactly. I once did a 3-day, 150-mile, solo bike trip. My first day I thought a lot about how magical bicycles were. The next day my mind turned to how much that was really due to roads. The last day what I was really amazed by is the social systems that create and maintain systems of roads. Without humanity's unique ability for cooperation toward long-term goals, the main use of a wheel would be a wheelbarrow.
  - sliken 5y ago
    Heh, or get better wheels. I've got a dual suspension (160mm front and rear) and 2.6" tubeless tires. I love getting away from things, exploring areas that would take a few days hike but are a day trip on a bike. Far enough out that the "trails" I end up on are game trails instead of human made roads/trails. Sure it's slower than being on a road, but way more fun to explore. A fair bit of the planet is passable on decent mountain bike, don't think humans (or lack of) would make much difference. In most mountain areas I'd rather be on a game trail, than a road.
- zhte415 5y ago
  Daleks. They have wheels and are considerably more efficient than cybermen.
  - drewcoo 5y ago
    Dalek death wheels failed to exterminate efficiently enough and were abandoned. https://tardis.fandom.com/wiki/Death_Wheel https://tardis.fandom.com/wiki/Death_Wheel
fennecfoxen 5y ago
Rolling a vehicle along land, however, is very efficient, in precisely the way propellors aren't.
yissp 5y ago
vsauce classic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAGEOKAG0zw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAGEOKAG0zw
post-it 5y ago
The logic is that the article is an ad for the featured company. "Why do we use propellers?" is just the hook.
- fennecfoxen 5y ago
  There is no way in Hell that this is an ad in the sense that The Economist was paid to publish this article. It is being covered because of the potential implications of this or similar technologies, which may have long-term implications for shipping and the military, of interest to its readers. The paid advertising inserts in this magazine are clearly marked. This isn't one of them.

"Nature does not use wheels. So why do people?" Regardless of how interesting a concept or development may be, check the logic of what you're writing before you hit publish.

dylan604 5y ago

I'd suggest the logic test before sitting down to write the thing. "But it's the internet and everyone has the right to hear my opinion" is too strong to resist.

twobitshifter 5y ago

Wheels aren’t all too useful without roads and fixed cleared paths. Any prey can escape a wheeled predator easily and a predator could push wheeled prey to unmanageable terrain. A wheeled jaguar can’t get you when you are swinging through the trees.

wpietri 5y ago
Exactly. I once did a 3-day, 150-mile, solo bike trip. My first day I thought a lot about how magical bicycles were. The next day my mind turned to how much that was really due to roads. The last day what I was really amazed by is the social systems that create and maintain systems of roads. Without humanity's unique ability for cooperation toward long-term goals, the main use of a wheel would be a wheelbarrow.
- sliken 5y ago
  Heh, or get better wheels. I've got a dual suspension (160mm front and rear) and 2.6" tubeless tires. I love getting away from things, exploring areas that would take a few days hike but are a day trip on a bike. Far enough out that the "trails" I end up on are game trails instead of human made roads/trails. Sure it's slower than being on a road, but way more fun to explore. A fair bit of the planet is passable on decent mountain bike, don't think humans (or lack of) would make much difference. In most mountain areas I'd rather be on a game trail, than a road.
zhte415 5y ago
Daleks. They have wheels and are considerably more efficient than cybermen.
- drewcoo 5y ago
  Dalek death wheels failed to exterminate efficiently enough and were abandoned. https://tardis.fandom.com/wiki/Death_Wheel https://tardis.fandom.com/wiki/Death_Wheel

fennecfoxen 5y ago

Rolling a vehicle along land, however, is very efficient, in precisely the way propellors aren't.

yissp 5y ago

vsauce classic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAGEOKAG0zw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAGEOKAG0zw

post-it 5y ago

The logic is that the article is an ad for the featured company. "Why do we use propellers?" is just the hook.

fennecfoxen 5y ago
There is no way in Hell that this is an ad in the sense that The Economist was paid to publish this article. It is being covered because of the potential implications of this or similar technologies, which may have long-term implications for shipping and the military, of interest to its readers. The paid advertising inserts in this magazine are clearly marked. This isn't one of them.