this post was submitted on 28 Nov 2023
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Science Memes

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submitted 9 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[–] [email protected] 45 points 9 months ago (4 children)

You’re supposed to reevaluate brain size as a measure of intelligence. The expression “bird brain” is so outdated we need to stop using it. Bird neurons are significantly smaller than ours, so they can fit a lot more brain in a smaller volume.

While you’re at it, you should probably reevaluate everything about intelligence and memory because apparently jellyfish have memories despite having no brain or ganglia of any kind.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I'm not an older sibling in a 90s-era kids sitcom, so I haven't used the phrase "bird-brain" in decades...

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Well, no one in a 90s-era sitcom has used the phrase in decades either ;P

[–] [email protected] 8 points 9 months ago

Also some insects dissolve in their cocoons to a handful of cells and yet still maintain memories from their larva stage

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Bird neurons are significantly smaller than ours

The neurons themselves? Because human axons are already as small as can be; they sometimes missfire because of this (brain is built around that, no worries).