In'eresting: The Human Body Is Built for Distance

Most mammals can sprint faster than humans — having four legs gives them the advantage. But when it comes to long distances, humans can outrun almost any animal. Because we cool by sweating rather than panting, we can stay cool at speeds and distances that would overheat other animals. On a hot day, the two scientists wrote, a human could even outrun a horse in a 26.2-mile marathon.

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Other research suggests that before the development of slingshots or bows, early hunters engaged in persistence hunting, chasing an animal for hours until it overheated, making it easy to kill at close range. A 2006 report in the journal Current Anthropology documents persistence hunting among modern hunter-gatherers, including the Bushmen in Africa.

“Ancient humans exploited the fact that humans are good runners in the heat,” Dr. Bramble said. “We have such a great cooling system” — many sweat glands, little body hair.

On a hot day, the two scientists wrote, a human could even outrun a horse in a 26.2-mile marathon.

Sure, but what about a cheetah on a squash court?

Class pictures!

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They keep growing up. The expression on Leif's face is pretty much the expression he always has.

SNOW! The whole school district is closed today. CJ is out shoveling the walk. We live in apartments where the property management takes care of that...but he wanted to do it anyway. Goofy boy.

CJ is out shoveling the walk. We live in apartments where the property management takes care of that...but he wanted to do it anyway. Goofy boy.

You can send him my in January!

Woohoo on the good medical news, Cindy!

Huh. It looks like things are working well in California government: [link]

We have now achieved an epic clusterfuck of bad timing.

First of all - the Bay Bridge is down. One of the cables came whipping loose last night and it will take days to fix.

And Emmett has managed to get sick just in time to: (a) miss the last week of term when he has to finish a handful of assignments to get his best report card ever; (b) miss being a juror on Youth Court tonight, which fucks up his required Community Service, and will necessitate making up those hours on something else; (c) miss both rehearsals for the school play, which is also something he needs for credit.

Plus I have some work in Oakland tomorrow, not BART accessible and I'll have to drive over the Golden Gate Brige, then the Richmond Bridge just to get there.

Tino! You fucker!

Sorry about the specter of Tino haunting you today.

Sorry about the specter of Tino haunting you today.

Yeah, well, the important thing is your kids are really cute.