5 ms·

It cannot be overstated that _none_ of the accompanying images on reports of this actually depict the location in question. AFAICT, only the CCTV/CGTN state-me

It cannot be overstated that _none_ of the accompanying images on reports of this actually depict the location in question. AFAICT, only the CCTV/CGTN state-media video[1] shows actual location, and the images are ... far less dramatic the the stock photos other outlets have chosen to run with. [1]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3QTq6tQfhY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3QTq6tQfhY

karaterobot 4y ago
Ahh, thanks for pointing that out. I was confused about the photo, like many people I assume. The video you linked is still very impressive, though.
iskander 4y ago
That video is really remarkable, I would say even more impressive than the stock in the article. I wish any of the coverage would go deeper into what makes this forest "ancient" and whether rare species have found a niche there.
- colechristensen 4y ago
  I assume they just mean that it hasn't been managed by humans.
- contingencies 4y ago
  If anyone wants to write a follow-up with enhanced botanical detail, the fine people at the Chinese Academy of Sciences South China Botanical Garden in Guangzhou[0] (neighbouring Guangdong province) and Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden in Menglun[1] (neighbouring Yunnan province) are the preeminent scholars of southern Chinese biology. I am sure they could put you in touch with those who are no doubt actively surveying the site[2] in Guangxi. [0] http://english.scib.ac.cn/ http://english.scib.ac.cn/ [1] http://english.xtbg.cas.cn/ http://english.xtbg.cas.cn/ [2] https://www.google.com/maps/@24.855629,106.7298439,696m/data=!3m1!1e3 https://www.google.com/maps/@24.855629,106.7298439,696m/data...
meatsock 4y ago
I also wanted to see some original source images. As in times past, a random slashdot user [1] comes through in a pinch: [2] [1]: https://news.slashdot.org/story/22/05/20/1732226/ancient-forest-found-at-bottom-of-huge-sinkhole-in-china#comments https://news.slashdot.org/story/22/05/20/1732226/ancient-for... [2]: https://twitter.com/NineDragons2/status/1524634961525026819 https://twitter.com/NineDragons2/status/1524634961525026819
- kristjansson 4y ago
  I don't think they did? Xinhua[1] reports a 2020 capture date, the stock photoist[2] credited by [3] reports a 2018 capture date? [1]: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-10/10/c_139430977.htm http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-10/10/c_139430977.htm [2]: https://www.alamy.com/beijing-china-17th-may-2018-photo-taken-on-may-17-2018-shows-plants-growing-at-the-bottom-of-a-giant-karst-sinkhole-also-known-as-tiankeng-in-luoquanyan-village-of-xuanen-county-central-chinas-hubei-province-credit-song-wenxinhuaalamy-live-news-image230347049.html https://www.alamy.com/beijing-china-17th-may-2018-photo-take... [3]: https://www.livescience.com/new-sinkhole-discovered-china https://www.livescience.com/new-sinkhole-discovered-china
- bergenty 4y ago
  Ah slashdot, 4chan with reasonable moderation. Good times, good times.
arc-in-space 4y ago
What do you mean, less dramatic! That's amazing. Except for the ill-fitting music.
pigtailgirl 4y ago
- everything i read about the next global pandemic predict it will come out of Brazil or China via a well preserved primitive fauna - in flora as described by the video -- should the people in the video be using some from of PPE? --
- colechristensen 4y ago
  >should the people in the video be using some from of PPE? No. What creates risk are wet markets selling live wild-caught animals in unsanitary conditions. These are breeding grounds for diseases to develop in animal populations and especially to have lots of opportunities to develop the abilities to jump species. Animals in the wild in China are of no greater risk than animals in the wild anywhere else in the world. Confinement, sanitation, and density is what creates risk, not national borders for animals in the wild.
  - robinsoh 4y ago
    > No. That seems really confident and terse for a really complicated question. Wouldn't PPE be somewhat useful in protecting this 'ancient forest' from diseases the researchers/visitors may be bringing to the area? > Confinement, sanitation, and density is what creates risk That describes every industrial farm/mega farm. Guess which country has multiple ag-gag laws and anti-whistleblower laws? If your statement is true, why are such industries not only permitted to expand but even provided with subsidies from tax payers? [eg Wichita and Cargill ] Would it be unfair to say the incredible demand for animals is what creates the risk?
    - colechristensen 4y ago
      >Would it be unfair to say the incredible demand for animals is what creates the risk? A poorly regulated market which takes known risks (selling wild live animals kept in dense, squalid conditions for human consumption) creates the risk. >Wouldn't PPE be somewhat useful in protecting this 'ancient forest' from diseases the researchers/visitors may be bringing to the area? No. The remarkable part is that it is in a sinkhole, the ecology of it is likely entirely unremarkable. This is not a fragile super-isolated ecosystem (there are a few of these in caves or islands which are and do sometimes merit special protections because they've actually been well isolated beyond just being in a hole) >That describes every industrial farm/mega farm. The wet market risk comes from live wild-caught animals, squalid conditions, sold to eat. Industrial farming is a controlled closed environment where diseases are known and managed, it's not wonderful, but it is nothing like the wet market risks coming out of China and a few other places around the world.
aaron695 4y ago

karaterobot 4y ago

Ahh, thanks for pointing that out. I was confused about the photo, like many people I assume. The video you linked is still very impressive, though.

iskander 4y ago

That video is really remarkable, I would say even more impressive than the stock in the article. I wish any of the coverage would go deeper into what makes this forest "ancient" and whether rare species have found a niche there.

colechristensen 4y ago
I assume they just mean that it hasn't been managed by humans.
contingencies 4y ago
If anyone wants to write a follow-up with enhanced botanical detail, the fine people at the Chinese Academy of Sciences South China Botanical Garden in Guangzhou[0] (neighbouring Guangdong province) and Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden in Menglun[1] (neighbouring Yunnan province) are the preeminent scholars of southern Chinese biology. I am sure they could put you in touch with those who are no doubt actively surveying the site[2] in Guangxi. [0] http://english.scib.ac.cn/ http://english.scib.ac.cn/ [1] http://english.xtbg.cas.cn/ http://english.xtbg.cas.cn/ [2] https://www.google.com/maps/@24.855629,106.7298439,696m/data=!3m1!1e3 https://www.google.com/maps/@24.855629,106.7298439,696m/data...

meatsock 4y ago

I also wanted to see some original source images. As in times past, a random slashdot user [1] comes through in a pinch: [2] [1]: https://news.slashdot.org/story/22/05/20/1732226/ancient-forest-found-at-bottom-of-huge-sinkhole-in-china#comments https://news.slashdot.org/story/22/05/20/1732226/ancient-for... [2]: https://twitter.com/NineDragons2/status/1524634961525026819 https://twitter.com/NineDragons2/status/1524634961525026819

kristjansson 4y ago
I don't think they did? Xinhua[1] reports a 2020 capture date, the stock photoist[2] credited by [3] reports a 2018 capture date? [1]: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-10/10/c_139430977.htm http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-10/10/c_139430977.htm [2]: https://www.alamy.com/beijing-china-17th-may-2018-photo-taken-on-may-17-2018-shows-plants-growing-at-the-bottom-of-a-giant-karst-sinkhole-also-known-as-tiankeng-in-luoquanyan-village-of-xuanen-county-central-chinas-hubei-province-credit-song-wenxinhuaalamy-live-news-image230347049.html https://www.alamy.com/beijing-china-17th-may-2018-photo-take... [3]: https://www.livescience.com/new-sinkhole-discovered-china https://www.livescience.com/new-sinkhole-discovered-china
bergenty 4y ago
Ah slashdot, 4chan with reasonable moderation. Good times, good times.

arc-in-space 4y ago

What do you mean, less dramatic! That's amazing. Except for the ill-fitting music.

pigtailgirl 4y ago

- everything i read about the next global pandemic predict it will come out of Brazil or China via a well preserved primitive fauna - in flora as described by the video -- should the people in the video be using some from of PPE? --

colechristensen 4y ago
>should the people in the video be using some from of PPE? No. What creates risk are wet markets selling live wild-caught animals in unsanitary conditions. These are breeding grounds for diseases to develop in animal populations and especially to have lots of opportunities to develop the abilities to jump species. Animals in the wild in China are of no greater risk than animals in the wild anywhere else in the world. Confinement, sanitation, and density is what creates risk, not national borders for animals in the wild.
- robinsoh 4y ago
  > No. That seems really confident and terse for a really complicated question. Wouldn't PPE be somewhat useful in protecting this 'ancient forest' from diseases the researchers/visitors may be bringing to the area? > Confinement, sanitation, and density is what creates risk That describes every industrial farm/mega farm. Guess which country has multiple ag-gag laws and anti-whistleblower laws? If your statement is true, why are such industries not only permitted to expand but even provided with subsidies from tax payers? [eg Wichita and Cargill ] Would it be unfair to say the incredible demand for animals is what creates the risk?
  - colechristensen 4y ago
    >Would it be unfair to say the incredible demand for animals is what creates the risk? A poorly regulated market which takes known risks (selling wild live animals kept in dense, squalid conditions for human consumption) creates the risk. >Wouldn't PPE be somewhat useful in protecting this 'ancient forest' from diseases the researchers/visitors may be bringing to the area? No. The remarkable part is that it is in a sinkhole, the ecology of it is likely entirely unremarkable. This is not a fragile super-isolated ecosystem (there are a few of these in caves or islands which are and do sometimes merit special protections because they've actually been well isolated beyond just being in a hole) >That describes every industrial farm/mega farm. The wet market risk comes from live wild-caught animals, squalid conditions, sold to eat. Industrial farming is a controlled closed environment where diseases are known and managed, it's not wonderful, but it is nothing like the wet market risks coming out of China and a few other places around the world.

aaron695 4y ago