The spouse speaks: Raccoons may be smarter than my husband.

Message boards : SETI@home Staff Blog : The spouse speaks: Raccoons may be smarter than my husband.
Message board moderation

To post messages, you must log in.

Previous · 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · Next

AuthorMessage
Profile kazman
Volunteer tester
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 23 Jul 99
Posts: 58
Credit: 24,873,897
RAC: 2
United States
Message 670282 - Posted: 1 Nov 2007, 1:46:47 UTC - in response to Message 670232.  

Eric said to "beer me woman", so why not split one beer between the subjects and observe the response? Wonder if the human subject or the critters would scream louder for more?


I would have thought if Eric said "beer me woman" A beer would have been thrown at an unstoppable speed at Eric's Head. Them Raccoons are much smarter in the sense that they won't ever use those terms.
ID: 670282 · Report as offensive
Profile Angela Special Project $75 donor
Volunteer moderator
Volunteer tester
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 16 Oct 07
Posts: 13131
Credit: 39,854,104
RAC: 31
United States
Message 670340 - Posted: 1 Nov 2007, 3:23:53 UTC

Happy Halloween!!!! Tonight's food is veeeeeeeery scary!!!

I actually found White Castle burgers, frozen, in a "high end" grocery store out here in food obsessed Northern California. It was with some trepidation that I nuked them and plated them. Firefighter Frank described them thus - "At 49 cents they're the cheapest laxative in the world that works in 15 minutes. Our raccoons love them. Just stay upwind."

As some of you may know, when not searching for E.T. Eric studies the Interstellar Medium. The Interstellar Medium is basically the gas between the stars. It was not my desire to take up the study of the Interlinen Medium - the gas between the sheets. Nevertheless, in the interest of science, I put aside my fears and proceeded with our experiment.

Human Subject - behavioral observations:

Subject took a bite of one burger, chewed it thoughtfully and swallowed.

Linguistic Response:

Eric: It smells like fried onions.
Angela: No it doesn't.
Eric: It's very salty.
Angela: If you say so.
Eric: It's cold in the middle, nuke it some more.
Angela: Something wrong with your fingers?
Eric: I've eaten worse things.
Angela: Don't talk about my sister's cooking that way!
Eric: If they had them in the vending machines at work, I'd probably be tempted every six months or so.
Angela: That's probably how long they are shelf stable.
Eric: Try one!
Angela: No way!!! My mama didn't raise no dummy!


Raccoon Subjects - Behavioral Responses

Interloper Mama approached the plate and made off with the first burger before we could even focus the camera. Bravesy took half a burger within half a minute and Interloper Mama came back for the second half shortly thereafter.

Here is a picture of Bravesy making off with a White Castle Burger half.


Here is a picture of bravesy eating a White Castle Burger.


Score: Still tied.
Human subject - one rejection, three consumptions
Raccoons - one rejection, three consumptions



ID: 670340 · Report as offensive
Profile Geek@Play
Volunteer tester
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 31 Jul 01
Posts: 2467
Credit: 86,146,931
RAC: 0
United States
Message 670350 - Posted: 1 Nov 2007, 3:54:37 UTC

In the interest of science, how about McDonalds breakfast sausage?

We know people eat em cause McDonalds sells them.

I bet the racoons try to bury them. At least that's what my dog tried to do with one after I gave it to him.

ID: 670350 · Report as offensive
Profile kazman
Volunteer tester
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 23 Jul 99
Posts: 58
Credit: 24,873,897
RAC: 2
United States
Message 670444 - Posted: 1 Nov 2007, 7:52:31 UTC

Squeeze Cheese may be another one of those fake foods to try experimenting with.
ID: 670444 · Report as offensive
Profile Es99
Volunteer tester
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 23 Aug 05
Posts: 10874
Credit: 350,402
RAC: 0
Canada
Message 670563 - Posted: 1 Nov 2007, 12:47:34 UTC - in response to Message 670340.  
Last modified: 1 Nov 2007, 13:17:09 UTC

As some of you may know, when not searching for E.T. Eric studies the Interstellar Medium. The Interstellar Medium is basically the gas between the stars. It was not my desire to take up the study of the Interlinen Medium - the gas between the sheets. Nevertheless, in the interest of science, I put aside my fears and proceeded with our experiment.


I think you will be ok there as long as you don't try to take the racoons into bed with you.

... you weren't going to were you?

EDIT: I just reread your post..you fed that to your husband? OMG! You'll have Hans Blix going through your kitchen if you're not careful.
Reality Internet Personality
ID: 670563 · Report as offensive
Astro
Volunteer tester
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 16 Apr 02
Posts: 8026
Credit: 600,015
RAC: 0
Message 670830 - Posted: 1 Nov 2007, 22:51:53 UTC
Last modified: 1 Nov 2007, 22:53:27 UTC

Buy a chunk of Lard and try that. I'd bet they love fat.
ID: 670830 · Report as offensive
PEWD

Send message
Joined: 13 Jun 07
Posts: 7
Credit: 136,121
RAC: 0
United States
Message 671320 - Posted: 3 Nov 2007, 1:17:05 UTC - in response to Message 670830.  

Try some Scrapple
ID: 671320 · Report as offensive
Profile RandyC
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 20 Oct 99
Posts: 714
Credit: 1,704,345
RAC: 0
United States
Message 671537 - Posted: 3 Nov 2007, 12:13:03 UTC - in response to Message 671320.  

Try some Scrapple


Ugh! and people think Spam is bad!
ID: 671537 · Report as offensive
Profile flight
Volunteer tester
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 13 Sep 99
Posts: 296
Credit: 976,732
RAC: 0
Canada
Message 671607 - Posted: 3 Nov 2007, 16:43:28 UTC

Great threat Angela and thank you :D. I'm learning about new and interesting types of (ahem) foods. Not to sure if i would be interested in trying some though.
ID: 671607 · Report as offensive
Profile Henk Haneveld
Volunteer tester

Send message
Joined: 16 May 99
Posts: 154
Credit: 1,577,293
RAC: 1
Netherlands
Message 671641 - Posted: 3 Nov 2007, 17:44:06 UTC

Hallo Angela. I know this is not food but how about some cod-liver oil.

It is at least supposed to be good for the health.
ID: 671641 · Report as offensive
PEWD

Send message
Joined: 13 Jun 07
Posts: 7
Credit: 136,121
RAC: 0
United States
Message 671653 - Posted: 3 Nov 2007, 18:09:11 UTC - in response to Message 671537.  


> Ugh! and people think Spam is bad![/quote]

I suppose you have to grow up with it ;)

ID: 671653 · Report as offensive
Profile Angela Special Project $75 donor
Volunteer moderator
Volunteer tester
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 16 Oct 07
Posts: 13131
Credit: 39,854,104
RAC: 31
United States
Message 671865 - Posted: 4 Nov 2007, 3:24:53 UTC

Wanted to do the Spam thing tonight, but Eric was not in the mood. Hmmmm, that sounds dirtier than I intended. Anyway, he promised to try fried Spam for breakfast tomorrow and I will serve the same to the raccoons tomorrow evening. In the meanwhile, here is something to keep you amused.

Fondly,

Angela
ID: 671865 · Report as offensive
Profile Dr. C.E.T.I.
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 29 Feb 00
Posts: 16019
Credit: 794,685
RAC: 0
United States
Message 671968 - Posted: 4 Nov 2007, 13:15:12 UTC - in response to Message 671865.  

Wanted to do the Spam thing tonight, but Eric was not in the mood. Hmmmm, that sounds dirtier than I intended. Anyway, he promised to try fried Spam for breakfast tomorrow and I will serve the same to the raccoons tomorrow evening. In the meanwhile, here is something to keep you amused.

Fondly,

Angela


< "Service Not Included" . . . funny Angela ;))))))



BOINC Wiki . . .

Science Status Page . . .
ID: 671968 · Report as offensive
Dr Who Fan
Volunteer tester
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 8 Jan 01
Posts: 3341
Credit: 715,342
RAC: 4
United States
Message 672080 - Posted: 4 Nov 2007, 18:10:24 UTC

You could always try the ultimate in shelf-stable food on your subjects lutefisk and see which ones will eat it.

From the Norwegian Ole & Lena Joke book:
"Well, we tried the lutefisk trick and the raccoons went away, but now we've got a family of Norwegians living under our house!"


ID: 672080 · Report as offensive
Ingleside
Volunteer developer

Send message
Joined: 4 Feb 03
Posts: 1546
Credit: 15,832,022
RAC: 13
Norway
Message 672344 - Posted: 5 Nov 2007, 0:35:38 UTC - in response to Message 672080.  

You could always try the ultimate in shelf-stable food on your subjects lutefisk and see which ones will eat it.

From the Norwegian Ole & Lena Joke book:
"Well, we tried the lutefisk trick and the raccoons went away, but now we've got a family of Norwegians living under our house!"


LOL, it's a long way from any of my favourites, but I do eat lutefisk then it's served.

Another Norwegian speciality on the other hand I'm steering clear of is Gamalost.

BTW, if neither lutefisk nor gamalost scares-away any of your test-subjects, a 3rd. option is Smalahove...

"I make so many mistakes. But then just think of all the mistakes I don't make, although I might."
ID: 672344 · Report as offensive
Profile Angela Special Project $75 donor
Volunteer moderator
Volunteer tester
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 16 Oct 07
Posts: 13131
Credit: 39,854,104
RAC: 31
United States
Message 672444 - Posted: 5 Nov 2007, 5:14:22 UTC

Sunday Breakfast at the Korpela Homestead - Spam, spam, biscuits, eggs and spam


Human Subject

Behavioral Observations: The subject took the tiniest of bites, chewed thoughtfully and gingerly, then swallowed painfully.

Linguistic Response:

Eric: It is somewhat blander than I remember.
Angela: Spam, spam, spam, spam...
Eric: This was served with regularity in our elementary school lunchroom.
Angela: Spam, spam, spam, spam...
Eric: The lunch lady called it "Glazed Ham Luncheon Loaf"
Angela: Spamity spam, wonderful spam!
Eric: For a shelf stable meat product, it is not that bad.
Angela: Lovely spam. Wonderful Spam, spam, spam, spam...

Analysis:

I do not think I can classify this food as "eaten" by my human subject. He sampled less than a quarter of one of the three slices I served him.

It seems that I am discovering some methodological problems with my experiment. I did not start off with clear operational definitions of what constitutes "eaten" and what constitutes "rejected".

Since my human subject was only offered a modest amount of Spam, and then he only nibbled tiny sample pieces of the food, I think I am going to have to classify this one as "rejected".

Eric fed some of his Spam to one of our cats. Here is a picture of White Cat.


Yes, we know she is not actually a white cat. Anyway, it is no surprise that W.C. ate the Spam. This is the kind of kitty who thinks she can find love at the bottom of a food bowl. You know the type, I am sure.

I diced up the remainder of Eric's rejected Spam and fed it to a feral cat, who pretty much acted like it was the Best Breakfast Ever!!!!!

Raccoon Subjects:

One of Interloper Mama's rejected babies grabbed a piece of Spam almost immediately. The raccoon made off with the Spam and consumed it in the shadowy recesses of our back yard. We could hear the munching, but we could not get a good photo. Something startled the raccoon and he/she left our yard. About an hour later the same raccoon returned. He/she ate the second piece in the dark again.

Here is a picture of the raccoon seizing the third piece of Spam, spam, spam, spam...


The fourth piece was consumed shortly thereafter.

Score:
Human - 2 rejections, 3 consumptions
Raccoons - 1 rejection, 4 consumtions

Anyone got money riding on the ultimate outcome?

Fondly,
Angela
ID: 672444 · Report as offensive
Profile Misfit
Volunteer tester
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 21 Jun 01
Posts: 21804
Credit: 2,815,091
RAC: 0
United States
Message 672457 - Posted: 5 Nov 2007, 6:01:03 UTC - in response to Message 670340.  

I actually found White Castle burgers, frozen, in a "high end" grocery store out here in food obsessed Northern California.

They are in all the major 3 supermarkets in SoCal - Vons, Ralphs, Albertsons.
me@rescam.org
ID: 672457 · Report as offensive
Profile Fuzzy Hollynoodles
Volunteer tester
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 3 Apr 99
Posts: 9659
Credit: 251,998
RAC: 0
Message 672768 - Posted: 5 Nov 2007, 23:19:25 UTC - in response to Message 670340.  
Last modified: 6 Nov 2007, 0:11:40 UTC

...
Linguistic Response:

Eric: It smells like fried onions.
Angela: No it doesn't.
Eric: It's very salty.
Angela: If you say so.
Eric: It's cold in the middle, nuke it some more.
Angela: Something wrong with your fingers?
Eric: I've eaten worse things.
Angela: Don't talk about my sister's cooking that way!
Eric: If they had them in the vending machines at work, I'd probably be tempted every six months or so.
Angela: That's probably how long they are shelf stable.
Eric: Try one!
Angela: No way!!! My mama didn't raise no dummy!

...


ROTFLMAO!

I'd love to be a guest in your home just to hear the dialogue between you and your husband. If I come to Berkeley to visit Eric, I'll ask him if he'll invite me for dinner at home. I'll bet I can get a lot of good lines from you, Angela. :-D

Just kidding, the chance for me to go to Berkeley is almost zero... Don't worry. ;-D


"I'm trying to maintain a shred of dignity in this world." - Me

ID: 672768 · Report as offensive
Astro
Volunteer tester
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 16 Apr 02
Posts: 8026
Credit: 600,015
RAC: 0
Message 672853 - Posted: 6 Nov 2007, 1:58:04 UTC - in response to Message 672736.  

Hi Angela, [snippppp] trendy tiled brekkie bar, want a lodger?

Only kidding Mrs K :-))

Brekkie bar???? Looks like she makes him eat on the floor to me. LOL
ID: 672853 · Report as offensive
Profile zoom3+1=4
Volunteer tester
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 30 Nov 03
Posts: 66322
Credit: 55,293,173
RAC: 49
United States
Message 672858 - Posted: 6 Nov 2007, 2:08:17 UTC

I don't know if the Raccoons are smarter or not, But they are hungry and getting dependent on Humans for Food, Just like Bears were in Yellowstone National Park where It's not a good idea to feed the Bears, I hope Your the entrances to Your house are Raccoon proof as being what they are still wild animals and they can get into a lot of mischief inside Your house looking for something to eat If and when any of them get inside the house, The Pictures are nice though Angela.
Savoir-Faire is everywhere!
The T1 Trust, T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, America's First HST

ID: 672858 · Report as offensive
Previous · 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · Next

Message boards : SETI@home Staff Blog : The spouse speaks: Raccoons may be smarter than my husband.


 
©2024 University of California
 
SETI@home and Astropulse are funded by grants from the National Science Foundation, NASA, and donations from SETI@home volunteers. AstroPulse is funded in part by the NSF through grant AST-0307956.