3 ms·
I'm sure that it keeps track of which direction is up with the same inner ear mechanism that we use for our balance. Given that it starts properly oriented tha
by btilly 5y ago
I'm sure that it keeps track of which direction is up with the same inner ear mechanism that we use for our balance. Given that it starts properly oriented thanks to gravity, and doesn't spend long falling, this gives it a good idea which direction is up when it lands.
Spend long enough out of gravity, and it will get confused. As do we.
- pdonis 5y agoYes, this makes sense.
- JumpCrisscross 5y agoCould also be the sensation of air rushing past [1]. Curious to test the competing hypotheses--dead reckoning from initial alignment versus air movement--in a wind tunnel. [1] https://www.military.com/history/how-naked-skydive-inspired-way-keep-pilots-oriented-flight.html https://www.military.com/history/how-naked-skydive-inspired-...
- state_less 5y agoThat’s what I thought too. The cat loses its plumb vector if subject to zero g for too long. Under normal circumstances, the cat quickly reorients along the previous plumb vector. Could be wrong, but that’s my guess. Nice joy ride BTW.