Comments on: The Flesh of Physics http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/ A blog about life, past and future. Written by DISCOVER contributing editor and columnist Carl Zimmer. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:00:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Thoughts on Titles - Emma Scott http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-55745 Thoughts on Titles - Emma Scott Sun, 10 Apr 2011 22:25:41 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-55745 [...] be static). I have been referencing the photographs of Eadweard Muybridge, and the diagrams on this [...] [...] be static). I have been referencing the photographs of Eadweard Muybridge, and the diagrams on this [...]

]]> By: AMAZING RIDE TODAY! « My Life with Horses http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-30029 AMAZING RIDE TODAY! « My Life with Horses Sat, 27 Mar 2010 23:14:30 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-30029 [...] I can influence the opposite hind leg (because it is just leaving the ground at that point). This article has a good diagram of the horse walk. He responded very well but lowering his head, lifting his [...] [...] I can influence the opposite hind leg (because it is just leaving the ground at that point). This article has a good diagram of the horse walk. He responded very well but lowering his head, lifting his [...]

]]> By: BThirkield http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-16314 BThirkield Fri, 27 Mar 2009 04:08:35 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-16314 I have never considered the physics-side of biology! It is refreshing to know that such a difficult subject can be applied to practically any other area of knowledge in ways which we underestimate. After reading this, I can better understand the relationship between form and function, especially when it comes to animals and as it relates even to humans. It was a pleasure reading this! I have never considered the physics-side of biology! It is refreshing to know that such a difficult subject can be applied to practically any other area of knowledge in ways which we underestimate. After reading this, I can better understand the relationship between form and function, especially when it comes to animals and as it relates even to humans. It was a pleasure reading this!

]]> By: How To Be A Bat [Life in Motion] | The Loom | Discover Magazine http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-15836 How To Be A Bat [Life in Motion] | The Loom | Discover Magazine Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:46:50 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-15836 [...] found that New Zealand short-tailed bats walk comfortably on a treadmill, using the same pendulum-like movements that other walking mammals use to save on energy. But when other mammals have to move faster, they [...] [...] found that New Zealand short-tailed bats walk comfortably on a treadmill, using the same pendulum-like movements that other walking mammals use to save on energy. But when other mammals have to move faster, they [...]

]]> By: Cuttlefish http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-14473 Cuttlefish Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:06:26 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-14473 http://digitalcuttlefish.blogspot.com/2009/01/walking-walk.html I thought I’d take an afternoon and visit the museum I’d heard they had some new things, and I thought I’d like to see ‘em One skeleton, a walking dog, was what I liked the best— But its front was moving eastward, while its back was moving west! The skeletons of dinosaurs were also really neat Though something seemed a little wrong in where they put their feet The tails looked right, the ribs were right, the spine, the head, the mouth— But their front feet pointed northward, while their back feet pointed south! I figured a museum ought to know which way is right, So I walked a little differently when I went home that night Now I’m flummoxed and I’m puzzled, and I feel like such a dork— See, I’ve one foot in Seattle, and the other in New York. http://digitalcuttlefish.blogspot.com/2009/01/walking-walk.html

I thought I’d take an afternoon and visit the museum
I’d heard they had some new things, and I thought I’d like to see ‘em
One skeleton, a walking dog, was what I liked the best—
But its front was moving eastward, while its back was moving west!
The skeletons of dinosaurs were also really neat
Though something seemed a little wrong in where they put their feet
The tails looked right, the ribs were right, the spine, the head, the mouth—
But their front feet pointed northward, while their back feet pointed south!
I figured a museum ought to know which way is right,
So I walked a little differently when I went home that night
Now I’m flummoxed and I’m puzzled, and I feel like such a dork—
See, I’ve one foot in Seattle, and the other in New York.

]]> By: Just A Theory » Weekly Roundup: Biomech, Beats and Beeb edition http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-14458 Just A Theory » Weekly Roundup: Biomech, Beats and Beeb edition Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:57:28 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-14458 [...] Zimmer over at Discover magazine has a really interesting post about biomechanics - the study of life in motion. It began in 1872 [...] [...] Zimmer over at Discover magazine has a really interesting post about biomechanics – the study of life in motion. It began in 1872 [...]

]]> By: Dani Long http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-14443 Dani Long Sun, 01 Feb 2009 11:31:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-14443 Update to my own inquiry: after looking at giraffe videos on YouTube, I realized that they walk just like the diagram shows (the footfalls of hind and front feet on the same side happen a bit closer in time than those of the walking horse). Update to my own inquiry: after looking at giraffe videos on YouTube, I realized that they walk just like the diagram shows (the footfalls of hind and front feet on the same side happen a bit closer in time than those of the walking horse).

]]> By: Dani Long http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-14418 Dani Long Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:27:01 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-14418 I wonder, do giraffes break the rules? Their movements seem similar to the example of the pace horses (but they do their same-side leg movements naturally, because of their leg/back length ratio). Also, the T. rex video was fascinating and surprising -- I'd always imaged them to have longer strides. This fellow looked to me almost as though he was tiptoeing. Did they never fully extend their 'knee' joints? Great article! I wonder, do giraffes break the rules? Their movements seem similar to the example of the pace horses (but they do their same-side leg movements naturally, because of their leg/back length ratio).

Also, the T. rex video was fascinating and surprising — I’d always imaged them to have longer strides. This fellow looked to me almost as though he was tiptoeing. Did they never fully extend their ‘knee’ joints?

Great article!

]]> By: Chloe Sharrocks » Toymakers Ignore Science http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-14415 Chloe Sharrocks » Toymakers Ignore Science Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:51:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-14415 [...] more about the biomechanics should read the article on Discover Magazine’s website called “The Flesh of Physics” which has some great graphical illustrations and also some slow-motion video clips of horses [...] [...] more about the biomechanics should read the article on Discover Magazine’s website called “The Flesh of Physics” which has some great graphical illustrations and also some slow-motion video clips of horses [...]

]]> By: Michael D. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-14407 Michael D. Thu, 29 Jan 2009 20:47:40 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-14407 Saw a special on the Animal Planet the other night about Whippets (small greyhound-like dogs). During their running cycle, all four feet are off the ground twice, once when the legs come together, like the horse, and once when the legs are outstretched, Superman-style. I suspect this may also be the case with cheetahs and perhaps greyhounds as well. Saw a special on the Animal Planet the other night about Whippets (small greyhound-like dogs). During their running cycle, all four feet are off the ground twice, once when the legs come together, like the horse, and once when the legs are outstretched, Superman-style. I suspect this may also be the case with cheetahs and perhaps greyhounds as well.

]]> By: The Ridger http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-14404 The Ridger Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:42:44 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-14404 The horse in the video is galloping, not walking. That is a different gait. The horse in the video is galloping, not walking. That is a different gait.

]]> By: Davi http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-14398 Davi Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:17:17 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-14398 In defense of the anatomists, it seems possible that the best anatomical illustration (maximum density of detail, clearly portrayed) might sometimes not be the most biomechanically realistic. In defense of the anatomists, it seems possible that the best anatomical illustration (maximum density of detail, clearly portrayed) might sometimes not be the most biomechanically realistic.

]]> By: Rawdge http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-14394 Rawdge Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:26:52 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-14394 Is it just me, or is the horse in that YouTube video not following the rules as described? From what I can see, it looks like its pattern goes RH, LH, RF, LF. Am I missing something? Or is there any particular reasoning behind why there might be the discrepancy? Is it just me, or is the horse in that YouTube video not following the rules as described? From what I can see, it looks like its pattern goes RH, LH, RF, LF. Am I missing something? Or is there any particular reasoning behind why there might be the discrepancy?

]]> By: The Ridger http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-14375 The Ridger Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:11:03 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-14375 PS - "This will be the first of what I hope is a long line of blog posts about life in motion, illustrated with moving images that Muybridge could not imagine." Yay! Can't wait! PS – “This will be the first of what I hope is a long line of blog posts about life in motion, illustrated with moving images that Muybridge could not imagine.”

Yay! Can’t wait!

]]> By: links for 2009-01-27 - the prophet king governance http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-14324 links for 2009-01-27 - the prophet king governance Wed, 28 Jan 2009 02:03:23 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-14324 [...] The Flesh of Physics | The Loom | Discover Magazine I first became fascinated with biomechanics in the mid-1990s, and I often dreamed of embedding movies on the pages of my articles. Words could only go so far, and photographs couldn’t go that much further. Most of my futuristic dreams have not come to pass, or have proven to be banal disappointments. But when it comes to writing about biomechanics, the future is here, and it is good. This will be the first of what I hope is a long line of blog posts about life in motion, illustrated with moving images that Muybridge could not imagine. (tags: education science physics learning animals biology walk) [...] [...] The Flesh of Physics | The Loom | Discover Magazine I first became fascinated with biomechanics in the mid-1990s, and I often dreamed of embedding movies on the pages of my articles. Words could only go so far, and photographs couldn’t go that much further. Most of my futuristic dreams have not come to pass, or have proven to be banal disappointments. But when it comes to writing about biomechanics, the future is here, and it is good. This will be the first of what I hope is a long line of blog posts about life in motion, illustrated with moving images that Muybridge could not imagine. (tags: education science physics learning animals biology walk) [...]

]]> By: Alejandro http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-14321 Alejandro Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:20:30 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-14321 I never though i'd gret to read with so much interest a biomechanics article. Great job! I never though i’d gret to read with so much interest a biomechanics article.

Great job!

]]> By: The Ridger http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-14314 The Ridger Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:05:06 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-14314 Terrific article! Just one quibble: you seem to use "trot", "run", and "gallop" as synonyms. "Run" and "gallop" are, but the "trot" is an entirely different gait. Some horses pace rather than trot - they move both legs on the same side forward. It's faster than a trot but it's also less stable, which is why pacing harness racers have their legs fastened together by the harness, to keep them from breaking gait around the curves (see <a href="http://website.lineone.net/~harness-racing-uk.com/standardbred_files/buster.jpg" rel="nofollow">this picture</a>). Terrific article! Just one quibble: you seem to use “trot”, “run”, and “gallop” as synonyms. “Run” and “gallop” are, but the “trot” is an entirely different gait.

Some horses pace rather than trot – they move both legs on the same side forward. It’s faster than a trot but it’s also less stable, which is why pacing harness racers have their legs fastened together by the harness, to keep them from breaking gait around the curves (see this picture).

]]> By: Alan Fox http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-14304 Alan Fox Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:25:11 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-14304 <blockquote>...survey of the <strong<depications</strong> of animals in museum displays...</blockquote> Depications? Depictions, surely. </nitpick ;)

…survey of the of animals in museum displays…

Depications? Depictions, surely.

]]> By: Ian http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-14285 Ian Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:40:36 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-14285 Galapagos, the cheetah's hind legs pass the front legs when it is at a full sprint. Good arfticle, especially since I'm studying pendulum's in physics now. Galapagos, the cheetah’s hind legs pass the front legs when it is at a full sprint. Good arfticle, especially since I’m studying pendulum’s in physics now.

]]> By: Eoin Bailey http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-14277 Eoin Bailey Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:29:09 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-14277 Muybridge plates can be purchased from Mondrian's room: <a href="http://www.mondriansroom.com/Muybridge.html" rel="nofollow">Mondrian's Room</a> Full Disclosure: I know the owners of the gallery. Muybridge plates can be purchased from Mondrian’s room:
Mondrian’s Room

Full Disclosure: I know the owners of the gallery.

]]> By: Sal http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-14273 Sal Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:22:50 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-14273 How about The Physics of Flesh. How about The Physics of Flesh.

]]> By: Shawnie Fever http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-14272 Shawnie Fever Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:01:56 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-14272 On a related note, check out this fascinating video: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/robert_full_on_animal_movement.html On a related note, check out this fascinating video:
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/robert_full_on_animal_movement.html

]]> By: Noumenon http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-14265 Noumenon Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:17:48 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-14265 Given that museums don't have any way for you to actually <i>learn</i> why their exhibit looks the way it does (say, a link to this article), I'd say the money they put into making it look natural is wasted. Given that museums don’t have any way for you to actually learn why their exhibit looks the way it does (say, a link to this article), I’d say the money they put into making it look natural is wasted.

]]> By: Joel Sammallahti http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-14251 Joel Sammallahti Tue, 27 Jan 2009 06:09:04 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-14251 I've always loved Muybridge's work. There are several books available with his photo series of horses, people and other animals walking, jumping etc. I've got to say though, the tyrannosaurus looks weird. I have no expertise whatsoever, but it looks too light on its feet somehow. Granted, those are huge calf muscles, but wouldn't one expect a horizontal biped's hips to rotate or spine to bend during a stride? Especially with the feet so far apart? Maybe not, I wouldn't know, but it looks a bit fake. Then again, lots of real things do. I’ve always loved Muybridge’s work. There are several books available with his photo series of horses, people and other animals walking, jumping etc. I’ve got to say though, the tyrannosaurus looks weird. I have no expertise whatsoever, but it looks too light on its feet somehow. Granted, those are huge calf muscles, but wouldn’t one expect a horizontal biped’s hips to rotate or spine to bend during a stride? Especially with the feet so far apart? Maybe not, I wouldn’t know, but it looks a bit fake. Then again, lots of real things do.

]]> By: Galapagos http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/comment-page-1/#comment-14248 Galapagos Tue, 27 Jan 2009 05:08:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/26/the-flesh-of-physics/#comment-14248 Great idea! I seem to remember cheetahs doing something strange when running at high speeds... Can't recall what it was though Great idea! I seem to remember cheetahs doing something strange when running at high speeds… Can’t recall what it was though

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