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(Spoiler) Disappointed that they didn't end up with naked pilots. But it reminded me how Polynesian navigators in the Pacific would use their testicles to detec

(Spoiler) Disappointed that they didn't end up with naked pilots. But it reminded me how Polynesian navigators in the Pacific would use their testicles to detect subtle ocean swells. We're used to relying on our eyes but our other senses can be just as useful.

jpalomaki 5y ago
For more: https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/testicular-navigation https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/testicular-navigation
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toss1 5y ago
A similar striking phenomena happened when I shaved my head instead of haircuts. I was immediately very aware of every slight motion of air even in what seemed like still rooms, or generated by my motion, not even walking. It was like I had a new sensor upgrade. Almost more interesting is that it did not fade or degrade over the months that I kept that (non-)hairstyle. The tactile sense can be a very high-bandwidth information feed.
- deleted 5y ago
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- dmoy 5y ago
  So I actually buzz my hair really short for high power rifle season so I can feel the wind better. I'm also balding, so that helps. It mostly boils down to using it as a "don't pull the trigger, the wind just did something funky" sensor. Granted about half the time I end up throwing a baseball cap on it because not getting sunburn/skin cancer is more important to me than a few points at 600 yards, but it does help.
  - throwawayboise 5y ago
    Sunscreen?
    - omnicognate 5y ago
      Sunscreen above eye level + sweat = stinging eyes.
      - dmoy 5y ago
        Yup pretty much this. I do use sunscreen on ears, neck, right hand, or basically anywhere that can't drip down into my eyes
  - dennis_jeeves1 5y ago
    > I'm also balding, so that helps. Opportunist...
- Tyr42 5y ago
  Sounds like the first step to being an airbender
- giraffe_lady 5y ago
  Similar experience, I mostly noticed that I could feel certain sources of radiation, like hot kitchen equipment and bright lights. I also found myself bumping my head a lot when working in semi-cramped spaces which I was doing a lot at the time. Hair normally acts as a small proximity sensor around your dome in a way I was completely unaware of before that.
  - emilecantin 5y ago
    Yeah, doing some home renovation work with my dad in confined spaces, I noticed he bumps his head A LOT (way more than me). The main difference between us is amount of hair on our domes (he's got practically none).
- dredmorbius 5y ago
  Swimmers and cyclists also shave part or all (public) parts of their body. For swimmers, "shaved and tapered" performances are classed apart from the rest. (Tapering refers to reduced workout intensity, shaving to removal of body hair.)
bstela 5y ago
I just can say thank you for this priceless piece of human knowledge
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jpalomaki 5y ago

For more: https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/testicular-navigation https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/testicular-navigation

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toss1 5y ago

A similar striking phenomena happened when I shaved my head instead of haircuts. I was immediately very aware of every slight motion of air even in what seemed like still rooms, or generated by my motion, not even walking. It was like I had a new sensor upgrade. Almost more interesting is that it did not fade or degrade over the months that I kept that (non-)hairstyle. The tactile sense can be a very high-bandwidth information feed.

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dmoy 5y ago
So I actually buzz my hair really short for high power rifle season so I can feel the wind better. I'm also balding, so that helps. It mostly boils down to using it as a "don't pull the trigger, the wind just did something funky" sensor. Granted about half the time I end up throwing a baseball cap on it because not getting sunburn/skin cancer is more important to me than a few points at 600 yards, but it does help.
- throwawayboise 5y ago
  Sunscreen?
  - omnicognate 5y ago
    Sunscreen above eye level + sweat = stinging eyes.
    - dmoy 5y ago
      Yup pretty much this. I do use sunscreen on ears, neck, right hand, or basically anywhere that can't drip down into my eyes
- dennis_jeeves1 5y ago
  > I'm also balding, so that helps. Opportunist...
Tyr42 5y ago
Sounds like the first step to being an airbender
giraffe_lady 5y ago
Similar experience, I mostly noticed that I could feel certain sources of radiation, like hot kitchen equipment and bright lights. I also found myself bumping my head a lot when working in semi-cramped spaces which I was doing a lot at the time. Hair normally acts as a small proximity sensor around your dome in a way I was completely unaware of before that.
- emilecantin 5y ago
  Yeah, doing some home renovation work with my dad in confined spaces, I noticed he bumps his head A LOT (way more than me). The main difference between us is amount of hair on our domes (he's got practically none).
dredmorbius 5y ago
Swimmers and cyclists also shave part or all (public) parts of their body. For swimmers, "shaved and tapered" performances are classed apart from the rest. (Tapering refers to reduced workout intensity, shaving to removal of body hair.)

bstela 5y ago

I just can say thank you for this priceless piece of human knowledge

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