Comments on: TED 2008: Crow vending machine maker Joshua Klein http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:10:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: techdeviant http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-134925 techdeviant Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-134925 I wonder if the crows that have been tearing shingles off my roof are trying to get into a peanut vending machine... I wonder if the crows that have been tearing shingles off my roof are trying to get into a peanut vending machine…

]]> By: Bat Guano http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-135184 Bat Guano Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-135184 This is a great way to make money. Although crows are smart, they aren't smart enough to know that a couple peanuts are not worth a quarter. This is a great way to make money. Although crows are smart, they aren’t smart enough to know that a couple peanuts are not worth a quarter.

]]> By: Windfucker http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-134934 Windfucker Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-134934 Maybe there is money to be made in crowsourcing. Maybe there is money to be made in crowsourcing.

]]> By: Antinous http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-135193 Antinous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-135193 <i>can I be in the GLBT BoingBoing club even though I am a raging hetero?</i> I believe that identity resides in the head and the heart, not the crotch. can I be in the GLBT BoingBoing club even though I am a raging hetero?

I believe that identity resides in the head and the heart, not the crotch.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-135195 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-135195 bloody mammals bloody mammals

]]> By: jhum101 http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-134941 jhum101 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-134941 Somebody's got to stop this! These crows are stealing jobs and wages from hard-working Americans! Somebody’s got to stop this! These crows are stealing jobs and wages from hard-working Americans!

]]> By: ill lich http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-135198 ill lich Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-135198 So. . . crows will literally "work for peanuts"? If this backfires (for example if crows start shredding garbage bags to find trash to trade for peanuts, or stealing money from blind beggars cups), I guess Josh Klein is going to have to , uhhh . . . "eat crow." So. . . crows will literally “work for peanuts”?

If this backfires (for example if crows start shredding garbage bags to find trash to trade for peanuts, or stealing money from blind beggars cups), I guess Josh Klein is going to have to , uhhh . . . “eat crow.”

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-135206 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-135206 the cigarette thing can also be used enforce no smoking areas, the crows won't care if it's a butt on the ground or a lit one in an ashtray. Note: make receptacle fire-proof the cigarette thing can also be used enforce no smoking areas, the crows won’t care if it’s a butt on the ground or a lit one in an ashtray. Note: make receptacle fire-proof

]]> By: xrm0 http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-134953 xrm0 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-134953 1) train crows to bring coins 2) ???? 3) profit!!! 1) train crows to bring coins
2) ????
3) profit!!!

]]> By: Chocolatey Shatner http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-134957 Chocolatey Shatner Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-134957 @ Jamshid666: well<i>this</i> "PETA-boi" is a total faggot, so I'm not really worried about some girl "eating my meat" anyway. It makes me sad when people can only conceptualize animals on a "them's good eatin'" level. Furthermore, I'm not telling you to not eat meat: I'm just saying that I <i>don't</i>. Why are you and Santa getting your panties all in a wad about it, anyway? Is it because we're different than you, and therefore must be a threat of some kind? Man, all those beef hormones are making you really aggressive... :) @ Jamshid666: wellthis “PETA-boi” is a total faggot, so I’m not really worried about some girl “eating my meat” anyway.

It makes me sad when people can only conceptualize animals on a “them’s good eatin’” level.

Furthermore, I’m not telling you to not eat meat: I’m just saying that I don’t. Why are you and Santa getting your panties all in a wad about it, anyway? Is it because we’re different than you, and therefore must be a threat of some kind? Man, all those beef hormones are making you really aggressive… :)

]]> By: Chocolatey Shatner http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-134958 Chocolatey Shatner Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-134958 @ XRM0: Ha! That is HYSTERICAL! @ XRM0: Ha! That is HYSTERICAL!

]]> By: Antinous http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-134960 Antinous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-134960 There's a lot of testosterone here. There’s a lot of testosterone here.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-134962 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-134962 is that what that is? I thought it was stupid-juice is that what that is? I thought it was stupid-juice

]]> By: Antinous http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-134968 Antinous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-134968 Stupid-juice is a testosterone metabolite. Stupid-juice is a testosterone metabolite.

]]> By: Antinous http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-134972 Antinous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-134972 We should start a GLBT BoingBoing group. Any takers? We should start a GLBT BoingBoing group. Any takers?

]]> By: Mignon http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-134974 Mignon Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-134974 I've lived in NYC for some 40 years and have definitely noticed that crows seem to be the new pigeons. They are definitely smart and very social. I have seen them on several occasions in the last few years ganging (mobbing?) up on hawks, which have also become plentiful around here. As I think of it, while I suspect the pigeon population is being reduced by crows in NYC, I think the environment is cleaner and improves the food supply for both (though I'm sure some of the crow food supply is pigeons...) But I'm no biologist. I’ve lived in NYC for some 40 years and have definitely noticed that crows seem to be the new pigeons.

They are definitely smart and very social. I have seen them on several occasions in the last few years ganging (mobbing?) up on hawks, which have also become plentiful around here.

As I think of it, while I suspect the pigeon population is being reduced by crows in NYC, I think the environment is cleaner and improves the food supply for both (though I’m sure some of the crow food supply is pigeons…) But I’m no biologist.

]]> By: Jamshid666 http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-134976 Jamshid666 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-134976 @Chocolatey Shatner: Regarding "@ Jamshid666: wellthis "PETA-boi" is a total faggot, so I'm not really worried about some girl "eating my meat" anyway." Damn, I'm going to have to revise my statement and make that S.O. instead of girlfriend. How non-PC of me. @Chocolatey Shatner: Regarding “@ Jamshid666: wellthis “PETA-boi” is a total faggot, so I’m not really worried about some girl “eating my meat” anyway.”

Damn, I’m going to have to revise my statement and make that S.O. instead of girlfriend. How non-PC of me.

]]> By: Itsumishi http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-135490 Itsumishi Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-135490 @ #32 posted by xrm0 "1) train crows to bring coins 2) ???? 3) profit!!!" HA! You made me cough noodles I was halfway through swallowing. @ #49 posted by rochrobb "Could the crows be trained to peck litterers on the head? Or (if not bald), tug on their hair?" Could the crows be trained to keep Ginger Kids away from my house? (nah just kiddings, gingers are alright) @ #57 posted by ill lich " So. . . crows will literally "work for peanuts"? If this backfires (for example if crows start shredding garbage bags to find trash to trade for peanuts, or stealing money from blind beggars cups), I guess Josh Klein is going to have to , uhhh . . . "eat crow." " In 10 years time perhaps all buskers and beggers will just have to carry a scarecrow wherever they're operating? @ #32 posted by xrm0

“1) train crows to bring coins
2) ????
3) profit!!!”

HA! You made me cough noodles I was halfway through swallowing.

@ #49 posted by rochrobb

“Could the crows be trained to peck litterers on the head? Or (if not bald), tug on their hair?”

Could the crows be trained to keep Ginger Kids away from my house? (nah just kiddings, gingers are alright)

@ #57 posted by ill lich

”
So. . . crows will literally “work for peanuts”?

If this backfires (for example if crows start shredding garbage bags to find trash to trade for peanuts, or stealing money from blind beggars cups), I guess Josh Klein is going to have to , uhhh . . . “eat crow.”
”

In 10 years time perhaps all buskers and beggers will just have to carry a scarecrow wherever they’re operating?

]]> By: MadMolecule http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-134984 MadMolecule Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-134984 Drat. I saw the phrase "Crow vending machine" and thought it was going to be a gumball dispenser shaped like Crow T. Robot, to go with my Tom Servo... Drat. I saw the phrase “Crow vending machine” and thought it was going to be a gumball dispenser shaped like Crow T. Robot, to go with my Tom Servo…

]]> By: SacrificialGoat http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-134986 SacrificialGoat Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-134986 Surprisingly, they're pretty close to the same. Estrogen too, I think. Surprisingly, they’re pretty close to the same. Estrogen too, I think.

]]> By: MarlboroTestMonkey7 http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-135757 MarlboroTestMonkey7 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-135757 Actually, Klein is just a minion of our crow masters. Two Gaiman posts and now crows, it's Sandman's Day at BoingBoing. Actually, Klein is just a minion of our crow masters.

Two Gaiman posts and now crows, it’s Sandman’s Day at BoingBoing.

]]> By: mclisa http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-136782 mclisa Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-136782 The problem of stealing or shredding bags could be worked out. You could teach the crow that retrieving trash on the ground gets a reward but trash from any kind of container doesn't. Or coins that are near a human aren't rewardable. Depends on how much time you want to devote to it. Biggest problem for a city is staffing. You need trainers and someone to service the peanut dispensers. Getting people to pick up trash for community service is (relatively) free. The problem of stealing or shredding bags could be worked out. You could teach the crow that retrieving trash on the ground gets a reward but trash from any kind of container doesn’t. Or coins that are near a human aren’t rewardable. Depends on how much time you want to devote to it. Biggest problem for a city is staffing. You need trainers and someone to service the peanut dispensers. Getting people to pick up trash for community service is (relatively) free.

]]> By: Fee http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-135247 Fee Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-135247 In the UK it is the magpie which seems to be the ubiquitous bird in town and country. They seem to aggressively protect their territory and they deliberately trash other bird's nests and eat their eggs. We have had a pair of collar doves in our garden for some time and the magpies got both the nests they made last year. My son thinks that crows being very intelligent will take the easy way to collecting trash and/or coins and start raiding likely places or indeed mugging people for their papers and crisp packets. There are already places where they are a nuisance. It may be necessary to send them for re-education from time to time. In the UK it is the magpie which seems to be the ubiquitous bird in town and country. They seem to aggressively protect their territory and they deliberately trash other bird’s nests and eat their eggs. We have had a pair of collar doves in our garden for some time and the magpies got both the nests they made last year.

My son thinks that crows being very intelligent will take the easy way to collecting trash and/or coins and start raiding likely places or indeed mugging people for their papers and crisp packets. There are already places where they are a nuisance. It may be necessary to send them for re-education from time to time.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-136784 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-136784 once crows learn something, they teach it to their young.How much trouble is to empty a cigarette butt can and dump some peanuts in a hopper? You could probably get kids to do it for free. once crows learn something, they teach it to their young.How much trouble is to empty a cigarette butt can and dump some peanuts in a hopper? You could probably get kids to do it for free.

]]> By: Davin http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-134998 Davin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-134998 What the hell does this topic have to do with omnivore vs. vegetarian ragefest? Very interesting idea though. Training crows to be useful parasites for cities? Could be neat. What the hell does this topic have to do with omnivore vs. vegetarian ragefest?

Very interesting idea though. Training crows to be useful parasites for cities? Could be neat.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-135001 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-135001 and after my fustian feathered minions have mastered simple theft of useful objects; eyes!!! AHAHAHAHAH!! sorry, I had broccoli and after my fustian feathered minions have mastered simple theft of useful objects; eyes!!! AHAHAHAHAH!!

sorry, I had broccoli

]]> By: cherry shiva http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-134753 cherry shiva Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-134753 the town i live in is overrun, overflown, and over flowin' with crows. personally i like them and the goth vibe they impart, but their poop is a real problem. the municipal gov't spends thousands on a variety of wacky and ultimately unsuccessful methods of crow deterrence. maybe we train them to poop elsewhere ! rewards for aiming ? the town i live in is overrun, overflown, and over flowin’ with crows.
personally i like them and the goth vibe they impart, but their poop is a real problem.

the municipal gov’t spends thousands on a variety of wacky and ultimately unsuccessful methods of crow deterrence.

maybe we train them to poop elsewhere ! rewards for aiming ?

]]> By: MHotel http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-134754 MHotel Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-134754 that headline is such a tease. i was hoping for a vending machine that dispensed crows! Or grackles, for the diet conscious. that headline is such a tease. i was hoping for a vending machine that dispensed crows!

Or grackles, for the diet conscious.

]]> By: Oudein http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-178275 Oudein Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-178275 I, for one, welcome our new corvid overlords. I, for one, welcome our new corvid overlords.

]]> By: travelina http://boingboing.net/2008/02/29/ted-2008-crow-vendin.html#comment-135013 travelina Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-135013 I'm in awe of the crow vending machine and the crows who figured it out. There's a good article about animal cognition in the March Nat Geo which mentions the frustrations of animal researchers: "It's a common complaint among animal researchers. Whenever they find a mental skill in a species that is reminiscent of a special human ability, the human cognition scientists change the definition. But the animal researchers may underestimate their power—it is their discoveries that compel the human side to shore up the divide." It also talks about the New Caledonian crows that make "hooks from sticks and leaf stems to poke into the crowns of the palm trees, where fat grubs hide." http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/03/animal-minds/virginia-morell-text I’m in awe of the crow vending machine and the crows who figured it out. There’s a good article about animal cognition in the March Nat Geo which mentions the frustrations of animal researchers:
“It’s a common complaint among animal researchers. Whenever they find a mental skill in a species that is reminiscent of a special human ability, the human cognition scientists change the definition. But the animal researchers may underestimate their power—it is their discoveries that compel the human side to shore up the divide.” It also talks about the New Caledonian crows that make “hooks from sticks and leaf stems to poke into the crowns of the palm trees, where fat grubs hide.”
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/03/animal-minds/virginia-morell-text

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