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The last time this was discussed I found some articles showing that the more boxy and angular windows of older vehicles were less likely to have bugs smashed on

The last time this was discussed I found some articles showing that the more boxy and angular windows of older vehicles were less likely to have bugs smashed on them. This is why these studies often use license plate splatters to get a better count -- that really hasn't changed.

nawgz 4y ago
> some articles showing that the more boxy and angular windows of older vehicles were less likely to have bugs smashed on them Do you mean "more likely"? > This is why these studies often use license plate splatters to get a better count -- that really hasn't changed Do you claim the amount of license plate splatters remains consistent today as, say, 30 years ago, or some other time frame? I think this claim really needs to be sourced, can you produce these studies you allude to? Thanks
- fullstop 4y ago
  No, I absolutely meant "less likely". The bugs don't hit as often against the old vehicles. The older boxy vehicles were more likely to push the insect away, while the modern aerodynamic vehicles allowed the bug to hit the windshield more frequently. I'll see if I can find the study, I don't have it handy at the moment. As for the license plates, they are no more aerodynamic than they were 30 years ago, which makes them a better source for insect measurement. Edit: relevant discussion from a few months ago: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31275879 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31275879
  - nawgz 4y ago
    > As for the license plates, they are no more aerodynamic than they were 30 years ago, which makes them a better source for insect measurement. I agree with this, but not the claim that there are studies showing this number is consistent with the past. The linked discussion also seems to imply that sampling rate corresponds with the decline in insect populations, unless I missed something.
    - fullstop 4y ago
      I've not said that they (bug splatters) are consistent with the past. Perhaps my wording wasn't the best, but I was trying to say that the aerodynamic properties of a license plate have not changed.
      - nawgz 4y ago
        I see, "that really hasn't changed" was a statement on aerodynamics and not volume of insect collisions. Thanks, I agree with what you're saying, good tidbit about the more aerodynamic cars leading to lower probability of insect survival.

nawgz 4y ago

> some articles showing that the more boxy and angular windows of older vehicles were less likely to have bugs smashed on them Do you mean "more likely"? > This is why these studies often use license plate splatters to get a better count -- that really hasn't changed Do you claim the amount of license plate splatters remains consistent today as, say, 30 years ago, or some other time frame? I think this claim really needs to be sourced, can you produce these studies you allude to? Thanks

fullstop 4y ago
No, I absolutely meant "less likely". The bugs don't hit as often against the old vehicles. The older boxy vehicles were more likely to push the insect away, while the modern aerodynamic vehicles allowed the bug to hit the windshield more frequently. I'll see if I can find the study, I don't have it handy at the moment. As for the license plates, they are no more aerodynamic than they were 30 years ago, which makes them a better source for insect measurement. Edit: relevant discussion from a few months ago: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31275879 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31275879
- nawgz 4y ago
  > As for the license plates, they are no more aerodynamic than they were 30 years ago, which makes them a better source for insect measurement. I agree with this, but not the claim that there are studies showing this number is consistent with the past. The linked discussion also seems to imply that sampling rate corresponds with the decline in insect populations, unless I missed something.
  - fullstop 4y ago
    I've not said that they (bug splatters) are consistent with the past. Perhaps my wording wasn't the best, but I was trying to say that the aerodynamic properties of a license plate have not changed.
    - nawgz 4y ago
      I see, "that really hasn't changed" was a statement on aerodynamics and not volume of insect collisions. Thanks, I agree with what you're saying, good tidbit about the more aerodynamic cars leading to lower probability of insect survival.