Ski resorts used red signs to stop grouse from hitting ski lifts, assuming the birds' own red markings meant they could see the color. Scientific testing revealed grouse are virtually blind to red. This failure highlights how problem-solving based on human-centric assumptions can be completely ineffective for other species.
Even if America and Iran sign a deal, the global supply chain won't snap back. Rerouted oil tankers and shut-down facilities mean it will take months to return to pre-war energy flows, creating a dilemma for companies who must invest without certainty of a final agreement.
China's internet is dominated by mobile super apps that already integrate digital services with physical networks like drivers and warehouses. This existing infrastructure makes it far easier to plug in agentic AI and deliver real-world outcomes, a structural advantage over the more fragmented, desktop-oriented West.
Unlike the Western focus on general AI assistants, Chinese firms like Alibaba and Tencent deploy agentic AI within their 'super apps.' The goal is not just user convenience but to direct consumers to their own vast networks of goods and services, boosting retention and monetization within a closed loop.
The black grouse's red head patch is a poor visual signal for other grouse, as they are red-blind. However, the patch reflects ultraviolet light, which they can see. This reveals that visual communication in nature can rely on signals, like UV light, that are entirely outside the human visible spectrum.