A lonely giant sunfish at the Aquamarine Fukushima aquarium in Japan, who kept mistaking divers for jellyfish (its usual prey), has been given cardboard cutouts of humans for company. The cutouts, placed at the tank's viewing window, aim to acclimate the sunfish to human presence and prevent it from repeatedly bumping into the glass, injuring itself. Staff hope this will help the fish distinguish between humans and its food, improving its wellbeing in captivity.
Designer and maker Nick DeMarco created a simple yet effective laptop stand using just a single sheet of recycled paper. By cleverly folding the paper using a series of creases, he formed a sturdy structure capable of supporting a laptop. The design is lightweight, portable, easily replicated, and demonstrates a resourceful approach to utilizing readily available materials. The stand is specifically designed for smaller, lighter laptops and aims to improve ergonomics by raising the screen to a more comfortable viewing height.
Hacker News commenters generally expressed skepticism about the practicality and durability of the single-sheet paper laptop stand. Several questioned its ability to support the weight of a laptop, especially over extended periods, and predicted it would quickly collapse or tear. Some suggested that while it might work for lighter devices like tablets, it wouldn't be suitable for heavier laptops. Others pointed out the potential for instability and wobbling. There was some discussion of alternative DIY laptop stand solutions, including using cardboard or other more robust materials. A few commenters appreciated the minimalist and eco-friendly concept, but overall the sentiment was that the design was more of a novelty than a practical solution.
Summary of Comments ( 60 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42766500
HN users generally found the story of the lonely sunfish heartwarming. Some expressed skepticism that the fish recognized the cardboard cutouts as "friends," suggesting its behavior was more likely driven by curiosity or a general attraction to stimuli. Others pointed out the anthropomorphic nature of the narrative, cautioning against projecting human emotions onto animals. A few commenters shared personal anecdotes of keeping fish, emphasizing the importance of enrichment and speculating on the fish's potential loneliness. Several found the cardboard cutout solution clever and amusing, with one user jokingly suggesting adding a QR code for donations. The overall sentiment leaned towards appreciation for the aquarium staff's effort to improve the fish's well-being.
The Hacker News post "Lonely sunfish in Japan gets cardboard human friends" spawned a lively discussion with several interesting comments.
Many commenters focused on the seemingly anthropomorphic nature of the intervention, questioning whether the sunfish actually experienced loneliness or if this was a projection of human emotions. One commenter suggested the aquarium's actions were primarily for attracting visitors, highlighting the commercial aspect of such displays. Another questioned the scientific basis for attributing loneliness to a sunfish, emphasizing the difference between human and fish social needs. This skepticism was echoed by several others who pointed out that sunfish are not known for complex social structures.
Several comments delved into the sunfish's biology and behavior. One user shared insights into the species' natural habitat and solitary nature, suggesting that the aquarium environment, while artificial, might still offer some benefits compared to the open ocean's dangers. Another commenter discussed the sunfish's unique appearance and how it might contribute to the perception of loneliness, even if the fish itself isn't experiencing it.
Some commenters appreciated the story's heartwarming aspect, even while acknowledging the potential anthropomorphism. They found the aquarium's efforts charming and saw it as a positive way to enrich the sunfish's environment.
A few comments focused on the logistics of caring for a large sunfish in captivity, discussing the challenges of maintaining water quality and providing appropriate food.
Finally, some commenters shared humorous observations, comparing the sunfish's situation to human experiences of social isolation or making lighthearted jokes about the cardboard companions.
Overall, the comments section presented a mixture of skepticism, scientific curiosity, appreciation for the story's heartwarming elements, and humorous takes. The most compelling comments were those that questioned the attribution of human emotions to fish while also acknowledging the potential benefits of enriching captive animals' environments, even if their emotional experiences remain a mystery.