New Scientist: Dumb Eco-Questions

wammo — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:30:00 +0000

CAN I RECYCLE WINDOW ENVELOPES? And other dumb eco-questions

Trying to do the right thing by the planet raises some pretty silly questions. New Scientist has compiled the definitive guide to everything you wanted to know about being green, but were too embarrassed to ask.

Can I save the planet by staying slim?

Can the machines in my gym be used to generate electricity?

How environmentally damaging is barbecuing?

Will washing my clothes at 30 ºC really get them clean?

SPEED DATERS GO FOR CROWD-PLEASING LOOKS

If you’re looking for love at a big speed-dating event, be prepared to be judged solely on your looks. In primates and birds, the larger the group, the better the chance a non-dominant individual has of being chosen as a mate. However, scientists were surprised to find that humans seemed to differ from other animals. When looking at 118 speed dating sessions, a team in the UK found that as the size of the group grew offers were skewed towards just a few individuals while the least popular ended up with fewer of no offers.

WHY WE LOVE TO HATE THE HUMBLE SPIDER

People seem to have a disproportionate fear of spiders than of any other creepy-crawly. In a German study where students were asked to rate photos of spiders, bees, wasps, butterflies, beetles and moths, they found that spiders triggered far greater fear and disgust than any of the other creatures, and were also believed to be more dangerous.

Bianca Nogrady is a freelance science and medical writer and also a broadcaster for New Scientist magazine.

Listen/Download Bianca Nogrady on Silly Questions

Radio Wammo » Spider

New Scientist: Dumb Eco-Questions

More like this...