Comments on: Hamster on whether organic food tastes better http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 18 May 2013 07:16:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Teresa Nielsen Hayden / Community Manager http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-429826 Teresa Nielsen Hayden / Community Manager Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-429826 Brainspore, all Syrian hamsters are genetically engineered. The original pregnant <i>Cricetus aureus</i> was the pet of a juvenile alien whose family spacecraft was making a brief stop in the area now known as Syria. The hamster escaped and could not be recovered before the spacecraft had to depart. All terrestrial members of the species are descended from that single individual. The genetic engineering accounts for the Syrian hamster's improbable tameness and self-confidence, given that it's down in the "quick snack" range of the food chain, and also for its tendency to have more personality than body mass. The fact that they're all descended from an ingenious and determined escape artist accounts for their other <a href="http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/008516.html">notable habit</a>. BarkingSpider @16: <blockquote><i>For the broccoli, a leaf (of broccoli?) was trailed from the hamster's location at the back of the testing area towards the normal broccoli (on the left). And which did he choose that time? Again, the one he was led to.</i></blockquote>On the other hand, notice that he subsequently drops and abandons it. I believe that's the only time I've ever seen a hamster put down an uneaten piece of broccoli. Brainspore, all Syrian hamsters are genetically engineered. The original pregnant Cricetus aureus was the pet of a juvenile alien whose family spacecraft was making a brief stop in the area now known as Syria. The hamster escaped and could not be recovered before the spacecraft had to depart. All terrestrial members of the species are descended from that single individual.

The genetic engineering accounts for the Syrian hamster’s improbable tameness and self-confidence, given that it’s down in the “quick snack” range of the food chain, and also for its tendency to have more personality than body mass. The fact that they’re all descended from an ingenious and determined escape artist accounts for their other notable habit.

BarkingSpider @16:

For the broccoli, a leaf (of broccoli?) was trailed from the hamster’s location at the back of the testing area towards the normal broccoli (on the left). And which did he choose that time? Again, the one he was led to.

On the other hand, notice that he subsequently drops and abandons it. I believe that’s the only time I’ve ever seen a hamster put down an uneaten piece of broccoli.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-430342 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-430342 maybe the hamster has a twitch to the left (right for the viewer). to make te experiment more viable they should randomize the experiment a bit more (switch sides, starting point ect.) also: next question: does it try to get better tasting food, or does it try to avoid chemicals? (anti bug stuff). I think they would be the same, less chemicals is better tasting food, but that does not have to be the case. This also promts the geustion: are potential parasite on organic food better for the hamster or would a small amount of chemicals and no parasites be better for the long term health of hammie. Again gut feeling as that eating a bug now and then is better than a bunch of chemicals. But my gut isnt much proof for this subject, naval fluff is a totally differnt matter.) but cool video non the less. maybe the hamster has a twitch to the left (right for the viewer). to make te experiment more viable they should randomize the experiment a bit more (switch sides, starting point ect.)

also: next question: does it try to get better tasting food, or does it try to avoid chemicals? (anti bug stuff).
I think they would be the same, less chemicals is better tasting food, but that does not have to be the case.

This also promts the geustion: are potential parasite on organic food better for the hamster or would a small amount of chemicals and no parasites be better for the long term health of hammie.
Again gut feeling as that eating a bug now and then is better than a bunch of chemicals. But my gut isnt much proof for this subject, naval fluff is a totally differnt matter.)

but cool video non the less.

]]> By: Graham http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-430343 Graham Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-430343 Doesn't this merely prove that the hamster likes food? Doesn’t this merely prove that the hamster likes food?

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-430089 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-430089 should be double blind. When you grow the carrots, switch the "organic" and "non-organic" labels so the carrots don't know what kind of nutrient fertilizer they are getting. should be double blind. When you grow the carrots, switch the “organic” and “non-organic” labels so the carrots don’t know what kind of nutrient fertilizer they are getting.

]]> By: SamSam http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-429846 SamSam Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-429846 I think it's clear that this experiment needed a double-blind hamster. They have a nose! They don't need <i>one</i> eye, let alone <i>two</i>! And is that box the hamster is in a proper chi-square? I think it’s clear that this experiment needed a double-blind hamster.

They have a nose! They don’t need one eye, let alone two!

And is that box the hamster is in a proper chi-square?

]]> By: devophill http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-429853 devophill Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-429853 Malcom Gladwell talks about the Pepsi Challenge in his book Blink. (IIRC, it's not about left and right.) Video: http://www.jdsblog.com/2008/09/29/malcolm-gladwell-on-the-pepsi-challenge-and-fragile-judgments/ Malcom Gladwell talks about the Pepsi Challenge in his book Blink. (IIRC, it’s not about left and right.)

Video: http://www.jdsblog.com/2008/09/29/malcolm-gladwell-on-the-pepsi-challenge-and-fragile-judgments/

]]> By: Teresa Nielsen Hayden / Community Manager http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-430380 Teresa Nielsen Hayden / Community Manager Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-430380 Graham, I think you've put your finger on it. Graham, I think you’ve put your finger on it.

]]> By: Tony Tarle http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-429613 Tony Tarle Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-429613 Perhaps the Hamster is left handed... A true test would switch the left and right positions randomly. Pepsi Challenge was rigged like this. The cup that was easiest to reach typically won the challenge with most participants. Perhaps the Hamster is left handed…

A true test would switch the left and right positions randomly. Pepsi Challenge was rigged like this. The cup that was easiest to reach typically won the challenge with most participants.

]]> By: tartar http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-429627 tartar Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-429627 Hamsters frighten me. Hamsters frighten me.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-430395 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-430395 It's hysterical how many people get hung up on the "blind rodent test" aspect of the video. To me, it's pretty obvious that this is not a scientifically valid study. I don't think it's supposed to be. I think it's supposed to be a VIDEO of a CUTE HAMSTER. It’s hysterical how many people get hung up on the “blind rodent test” aspect of the video. To me, it’s pretty obvious that this is not a scientifically valid study. I don’t think it’s supposed to be. I think it’s supposed to be a VIDEO of a CUTE HAMSTER.

]]> By: arkizzle http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-430398 arkizzle Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-430398 A less personable hamster: http://www.zombie-chiuaua.info/littulkitton (click the big red button) A less personable hamster:

http://www.zombie-chiuaua.info/littulkitton

(click the big red button)

]]> By: Vespertine http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-429638 Vespertine Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-429638 After having witnessed one of these guys eating another one's brains while it was still alive, I'm not sure I can a hamster's uh, culinary sensibilities. After having witnessed one of these guys eating another one’s brains while it was still alive, I’m not sure I can a hamster’s uh, culinary sensibilities.

]]> By: bbonyx http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-429896 bbonyx Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-429896 I think hamsters are wicked cute, but after having one bite clean through the webbing between my thumb and forefinger I'll never own one again. And I always wondered, what does it mean to "hamst"? Runners run, writers write, etc. etc. I think hamsters are wicked cute, but after having one bite clean through the webbing between my thumb and forefinger I’ll never own one again.

And I always wondered, what does it mean to “hamst”? Runners run, writers write, etc. etc.

]]> By: Vespertine http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-429642 Vespertine Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-429642 er, trust er, trust

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-429645 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-429645 Totally agree with tony tarle. The hamster got food first from the organic side, then pretty much kept going back. It remembered where the food was. You need a multitude of hamsters (n=10 at least) and randomly change the side that has the organic...perhaps using this (http://www.random.org/) so you don't bias yourself. I would imagine there would even be a better, more mathematical way to space the food and hamster so that everything is in the same spot always. Totally agree with tony tarle. The hamster got food first from the organic side, then pretty much kept going back. It remembered where the food was. You need a multitude of hamsters (n=10 at least) and randomly change the side that has the organic…perhaps using this (http://www.random.org/) so you don’t bias yourself. I would imagine there would even be a better, more mathematical way to space the food and hamster so that everything is in the same spot always.

]]> By: maturin http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-429902 maturin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-429902 What a cute hamster Man it was idiotic to suggest atheists should go to church in order to better integrate. :-) What a cute hamster
Man it was idiotic to suggest atheists should go to church in order to better integrate. :-)

]]> By: Patrick Nielsen Hayden http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-430158 Patrick Nielsen Hayden Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-430158 I <em>really</em> don't care about the organic food argument, but there can never be too many videos of cute hamsters, on Boing Boing or anywhere else. Yes, if you coop hamsters up together, they behave aberrantly; this is hardly surprising, since in the wild they are obligate solitaries. But if you treat them right and let them be their lonesome selves, they are fabulous creatures. It is a good world that has hamsters in it. I really don’t care about the organic food argument, but there can never be too many videos of cute hamsters, on Boing Boing or anywhere else.

Yes, if you coop hamsters up together, they behave aberrantly; this is hardly surprising, since in the wild they are obligate solitaries. But if you treat them right and let them be their lonesome selves, they are fabulous creatures. It is a good world that has hamsters in it.

]]> By: Teresa Nielsen Hayden / Community Manager http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-430160 Teresa Nielsen Hayden / Community Manager Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-430160 Bbonyx, <i>hamster</i> is from the German word for <i>miser,</i> on account of their habit of accumulating stashes of food. Bbonyx, hamster is from the German word for miser, on account of their habit of accumulating stashes of food.

]]> By: MrWednesday http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-429650 MrWednesday Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-429650 The survey r broke, as at 20:01 GMT. Yes I know it's off topic but there's no comment thread on the survey. The survey r broke, as at 20:01 GMT.

Yes I know it’s off topic but there’s no comment thread on the survey.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-429907 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-429907 "horde" “horde”

]]> By: Schorsch http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-429657 Schorsch Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-429657 Hi Kids! Time to learn that science is a soul-crushing descent into nihilsm! To truly validate the results of this experiment, you have to 1) switch the right and left positions of the organic and conventional foods, and 2) test Hammy's choices when presented with two organic, or two conventional pieces. Stats will then tell you whether Hammy has a preference, by which time you'll want to be a firefighter when you grow up! Hi Kids! Time to learn that science is a soul-crushing descent into nihilsm! To truly validate the results of this experiment, you have to 1) switch the right and left positions of the organic and conventional foods, and 2) test Hammy’s choices when presented with two organic, or two conventional pieces. Stats will then tell you whether Hammy has a preference, by which time you’ll want to be a firefighter when you grow up!

]]> By: vjinterkosmos http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-429913 vjinterkosmos Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-429913 Now I wonder which taste better, organic hamsters or regular ones? #8: like askin normal folks to act crazy in order to help mental health outpatients learn to adjust. Now I wonder which taste better, organic hamsters or regular ones?

#8: like askin normal folks to act crazy in order to help mental health outpatients learn to adjust.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-430172 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-430172 most of of the companion animals I've lived with have lived extraordinarily long lives. I can attest that hamsters can indeed go senile - and MEAN. most of of the companion animals I’ve lived with have lived extraordinarily long lives. I can attest that hamsters can indeed go senile – and MEAN.

]]> By: gabrielm http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-429661 gabrielm Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-429661 Maybe if we shout they will hear this in the other post. BROKEN SURVEY! THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW! Maybe if we shout they will hear this in the other post.

BROKEN SURVEY! THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-431203 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-431203 Organically fed hamster? Yum. Now if he could be free-range as well.... Organically fed hamster? Yum.

Now if he could be free-range as well….

]]> By: Doran http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-430181 Doran Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-430181 I think the only thing this proves is that Hammy needs to go on a diet. I think the only thing this proves is that Hammy needs to go on a diet.

]]> By: jimh http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-429930 jimh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-429930 This is a cute hamster! But as a doctor, I would recommend that it eat less and get more exercise. It is obviously a very pudgy, sedentary creature, scarfing food all day long. Because, this video. I'm not a doctor really. This is a cute hamster! But as a doctor, I would recommend that it eat less and get more exercise. It is obviously a very pudgy, sedentary creature, scarfing food all day long. Because, this video.

I’m not a doctor really.

]]> By: Brett Burton http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-429681 Brett Burton Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-429681 @ #1 How was the Pepsi Challenge rigged? I took it way back in the 80s and unlike the Hampster, who only tastes one item each time, you got to taste both sodas. In a taste test, I don't see why it would matter which was easiest to reach. (both were equally easy to reach from what I remember, being positioned on a table directly in front of the sampler). I picked Pepsi at the time but later switched to Coke as my taste buds grew more refined. @ #1
How was the Pepsi Challenge rigged? I took it way back in the 80s and unlike the Hampster, who only tastes one item each time, you got to taste both sodas. In a taste test, I don’t see why it would matter which was easiest to reach. (both were equally easy to reach from what I remember, being positioned on a table directly in front of the sampler).

I picked Pepsi at the time but later switched to Coke as my taste buds grew more refined.

]]> By: TroofSeeker http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-429682 TroofSeeker Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-429682 Hammy doesn't give a rat sass. The survey is working. I just did it. Hammy doesn’t give a rat sass.

The survey is working. I just did it.

]]> By: TroofSeeker http://boingboing.net/2009/03/04/hamster-on-whether-o.html#comment-430450 TroofSeeker Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-430450 Arkizzle, you did that? That was great! Nice work! And many of us can relate to the impact you've had on little Hammy there. d8^) Arkizzle, you did that?
That was great! Nice work!
And many of us can relate to the impact you’ve had on little Hammy there. d8^)

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