Cool :cthulu:
http://io9.com/5848192/giant-prehistoric-krakens-may-have-sculpted-self+portraits-using-ichthyosaur-bones
QuoteGiant prehistoric krakens may have sculpted self-portraits using ichthyosaur bones
For decades, paleontologists have puzzled over a fossil collection of nine Triassic icthyosaurs (Shonisaurus popularis) discovered in Nevada's Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park. Researchers initially thought that this strange grouping of 45-foot-long marine reptiles had either died en masse from a poisonous plankton bloom or had become stranded in shallow water.
But recent geological analysis of the fossil site indicates that the park was deep underwater when these shonisaurs swam the prehistoric seas. So why were their bones laid in such a bizarre pattern? A new theory suggests that a 100-foot-long cephalopod arranged these bones as a self-portrait after drowning the reptiles. And no, we're not talking about Cthulhu.
After considering the more brutal aspects of modern octopus predation, paleontologist Mark McMenamin of Mount Holyoke College came to the conclusion that the shonisaur remains had been deposited in a "kraken" lair by its massive, tentacled squatter. From his abstract of research being presented today at The Geological Society of America's annual meeting:
Full size
We hypothesize that the shonisaurs were killed and carried to the site by an enormous Triassic cephalopod, a "kraken," with estimated length of approximately 30 m, twice that of the modern Colossal Squid Mesonychoteuthis. In this scenario, shonisaurs were ambushed by a Triassic kraken, drowned, and dumped on a midden like that of a modern octopus. Where vertebrae in the assemblage are disarticulated, disks are arranged in curious linear patterns with almost geometric regularity. Close fitting due to spinal ligament contraction is disproved by the juxtaposition of different-sized vertebrae from different parts of the vertebral column. The proposed Triassic kraken, which could have been the most intelligent invertebrate ever, arranged the vertebral discs in biserial patterns, with individual pieces nesting in a fitted fashion as if they were part of a puzzle. The arranged vertebrae resemble the pattern of sucker discs on a cephalopod tentacle, with each amphicoelous vertebra strongly resembling a coleoid sucker. Thus the tessellated vertebral disc pavement may represent the earliest known self‑portrait.
McMenamin anticipates that this theory will be met with skepticism, as the fleshy body of a giant Triassic octopus wouldn't fossilize well. But the possibility of finding that which is essentially a gargantuan mollusk's macaroni illustration? That's the kind of glorious crazy you hope is reality.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcache.gawkerassets.com%2Fassets%2Fimages%2F8%2F2011%2F10%2Fkraken.jpg&hash=8fb5f5d6ac3b26118c225a10afe026ff12e6ff76)
Why not simply suggest Martians did it?
Neat.
Quote from: garbon on October 11, 2011, 06:38:29 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on October 11, 2011, 04:20:40 PM
Neat.
A random hypothesis?
Speculation on the behaviors of an imaginary animal of which there is no evidence of existing, doesn't impress you either? Is this guy a real scientist?
Quote from: Razgovory on October 11, 2011, 07:52:01 PM
Quote from: garbon on October 11, 2011, 06:38:29 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on October 11, 2011, 04:20:40 PM
Neat.
A random hypothesis?
Speculation on the behaviors of an imaginary animal of which there is no evidence of existing, doesn't impress you either? Is this guy a real scientist?
If wikipedia is accurate, he does seem legit.
If.
Maybe aliens gave the imaginary Kraken a mirror so that he could do his self-portrait?
Quote from: Strix on October 11, 2011, 08:34:51 PM
Maybe aliens gave the imaginary Kraken a mirror so that he could do his self-portrait?
It needed a mirror to see its arm?
Maybe it really was Cthulhu.
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on October 11, 2011, 09:03:33 PM
Maybe it really was Cthulhu.
It's as good a theory as proposed here. I fully expect Brazen post about shoddy journalism, and Viking to post that this isn't really science. It's like an April Fools joke. I didn't think that Tim was
that credulous.
I wish Hamilcar were here for comment. :(
I think the Martians did it.
That work for ya Raz?
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 11, 2011, 09:29:12 PM
I think the Martians did it.
That work for ya Raz?
I already said that.
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on October 11, 2011, 09:26:16 PM
I wish Hamilcar were here for comment. :(
He'd say the shonisaurs deserved to do for swimming so close to a kraken. :(
:weep: It's not the same when you say it.
Quote from: Razgovory on October 11, 2011, 09:21:26 PM
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on October 11, 2011, 09:03:33 PM
Maybe it really was Cthulhu.
It's as good a theory as proposed here. I fully expect Brazen post about shoddy journalism, and Viking to post that this isn't really science. It's like an April Fools joke. I didn't think that Tim was that credulous.
I said it was cool, I didn't say it was right. :contract:
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 11, 2011, 09:37:56 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 11, 2011, 09:21:26 PM
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on October 11, 2011, 09:03:33 PM
Maybe it really was Cthulhu.
It's as good a theory as proposed here. I fully expect Brazen post about shoddy journalism, and Viking to post that this isn't really science. It's like an April Fools joke. I didn't think that Tim was that credulous.
I said it was cool, I didn't say it was right. :contract:
We'll be the judge of that.
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on October 11, 2011, 09:36:49 PM
:weep: It's not the same when you say it.
Oh go flip another canoe. :angry:
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 11, 2011, 09:37:56 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 11, 2011, 09:21:26 PM
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on October 11, 2011, 09:03:33 PM
Maybe it really was Cthulhu.
It's as good a theory as proposed here. I fully expect Brazen post about shoddy journalism, and Viking to post that this isn't really science. It's like an April Fools joke. I didn't think that Tim was that credulous.
I said it was cool, I didn't say it was right. :contract:
That a scientist posited that an imaginary creature performed a human act? Sounds like an anthropomorphism fantasy. :x
I think they should take away his scientist license.
Maybe if this was the Soviet Union, Raz could be in charge of handing out the scientist licenses. :mad:
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 11, 2011, 10:22:48 PM
Maybe if this was the Soviet Union, Raz could be in charge of handing out the scientist licenses. :mad:
In Soviet Russia, scientist license hands out you.
:(
http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2011/10/the-giant-prehistoric-squid-that-ate-common-sense.ars (http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2011/10/the-giant-prehistoric-squid-that-ate-common-sense.ars)
This guy thinks he should have his science license revoked:
QuoteThere is no direct evidence for the existence of the animal the McMenamins call "the kraken." No exceptionally preserved body, no fossilized tentacle hooks, no beak—nothing. The McMenamins' entire case is based on peculiar inferences about the site. It is a case of reading the scattered bones as if they were tea leaves able to tell someone's fortune. Rather than being distributed through the bonebed by natural processes related to decay and preservation, the McMenamins argue that the Shonisaurus bones were intentionally arrayed in a "midden" by a huge cephalopod nearly 100 feet long (how the length of the imaginary animal was estimated is anyone's guess).
Quote from: Razgovory on October 11, 2011, 09:21:26 PM
I fully expect Brazen post about shoddy journalism
Shoddy journalism, half-arsed research and no interview from an opposing viewpoint.
My amateur theory is that the icthyosaurs were eaten by something which shat out in the bones in the shape of giant dino-turds. I think that holds more water than the "expert" theory.
Maybe these intelligent Krakens are human kind's missing link after all! ;)
Sorta reminds me of David Macaulay's Motel of the Mysteries. Archaeologists of the future excavate a 20th century motel buried in some sort of catastrophy and perfectly preserved - and hilariously misinterpret everything they find. ;)
Quote from: Malthus on October 12, 2011, 09:14:39 AM
Sorta reminds me of David Macaulay's Motel of the Mysteries. Archaeologists of the future excavate a 20th century motel buried in some sort of catastrophy and perfectly preserved - and hilariously misinterpret everything they find. ;)
Maybe we did the samething & the pyramids were just Hotels.
Quote from: Brazen on October 12, 2011, 05:12:38 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 11, 2011, 09:21:26 PM
I fully expect Brazen post about shoddy journalism
Shoddy journalism, half-arsed research and no interview from an opposing viewpoint.
My amateur theory is that the icthyosaurs were eaten by something which shat out in the bones in the shape of giant dino-turds. I think that holds more water than the "expert" theory.
My guess is that it's some kind of eddying of the water. Like a whirlpool or something. The Icthyosaurs were pretty good size, there were many of them, and they seemed to have died over deep water. This suggest that to me it likely wasn't a predator. Still, your theory is better then the Squid portrait one.
With the zillions of times various different animals get killed don't they think its a bit expected that they might occasionally have their bones fall into funny patterns.
Quote from: Malthus on October 12, 2011, 09:14:39 AM
Sorta reminds me of David Macaulay's Motel of the Mysteries. Archaeologists of the future excavate a 20th century motel buried in some sort of catastrophy and perfectly preserved - and hilariously misinterpret everything they find. ;)
I remember that, or something like it. Funny stuff! :D
Quote from: Brazen on October 12, 2011, 05:12:38 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 11, 2011, 09:21:26 PM
I fully expect Brazen post about shoddy journalism
Shoddy journalism, half-arsed research and no interview from an opposing viewpoint.
My amateur theory is that the icthyosaurs were eaten by something which shat out in the bones in the shape of giant dino-turds. I think that holds more water than the "expert" theory.
I can see the next headline "Ancient Creature shits out self portrait"
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 12, 2011, 03:13:58 PM
Quote from: Brazen on October 12, 2011, 05:12:38 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 11, 2011, 09:21:26 PM
I fully expect Brazen post about shoddy journalism
Shoddy journalism, half-arsed research and no interview from an opposing viewpoint.
My amateur theory is that the icthyosaurs were eaten by something which shat out in the bones in the shape of giant dino-turds. I think that holds more water than the "expert" theory.
I can see the next headline "Ancient Creature shits out self portrait"
And the next: "Beret-wearing Ancient Creature seeks arts council grant"
Quote from: Tyr on October 12, 2011, 09:46:56 AM
With the zillions of times various different animals get killed don't they think its a bit expected that they might occasionally have their bones fall into funny patterns.
No, Intelligent Design is the only sensible answer.
Quote from: The Brain on October 13, 2011, 01:14:13 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 12, 2011, 09:46:56 AM
With the zillions of times various different animals get killed don't they think its a bit expected that they might occasionally have their bones fall into funny patterns.
No, Intelligent Design is the only sensible answer.
All hail the Designer
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-MBbRxucbYxc%2FTcrdKLKU3MI%2FAAAAAAAAAMc%2FDy8Z6mL9hNQ%2Fs1600%2Fcthulhu.jpg&hash=a30696dd33ec3e70d7f6d59c114dc925fe5edabb)
Quote from: garbon on October 11, 2011, 09:45:54 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 11, 2011, 09:37:56 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 11, 2011, 09:21:26 PM
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on October 11, 2011, 09:03:33 PM
Maybe it really was Cthulhu.
It's as good a theory as proposed here. I fully expect Brazen post about shoddy journalism, and Viking to post that this isn't really science. It's like an April Fools joke. I didn't think that Tim was that credulous.
I said it was cool, I didn't say it was right. :contract:
That a scientist posited that an imaginary creature performed a human act? Sounds like an anthropomorphism fantasy. :x
Timmay wouldn't know cool if he got trapped inside a freezer.