Chickens and The New Purpose of Humans 🐓

At The Gates of a Batterised Life

In 1999’s The Matrix, humans were plugged into pods to power a dystopian robot army—yep, we were walking, talking batteries. Critics have since argued that this concept was more Hollywood than science, but recent developments suggest we might not be too far off from actually juicing up tech with our bodies. No, it’s not about building human farms (at least, not yet), but we might be inching closer to wearable energy solutions.

Researchers from Queensland University of Technology in Australia have developed a groundbreaking bracelet that turns your daily existence into a low-key power generator. 

The bracelets transform the temperature difference between your body and the surrounding air into electricity. Think medical devices like pacemakers that never need new batteries, or wearable tech—like smartwatches and glasses—that could run on you.

The tech might also be a game-changer for machines. The bracelet could cool down devices like phone chips or massive data centers that currently guzzle water to prevent overheating. Translation? Your smartphone stays cool, AI platforms run smoothly, and the planet takes a breather from all that water waste.

Of course, scaling this tech isn’t easy. But it it is achieved, it would be both fun and unsettling. 

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Humans have a hidden talent for understanding chicken moods! A recent study in Royal Society Open Science revealed that nearly 70% of us can decode basic chicken emotions—like excitement and discontent—just by listening to their clucks. Whether you’re a seasoned farmer or have only seen chickens on TV, chances are you’d get the vibe right.

Researchers recruited almost 200 people worldwide for an online survey featuring 16 random chicken sounds. From rapid “tuk, tuk, tuk” food calls signaling excitement to low, growly grumbles of discontent, participants nailed the emotional match-ups. Interestingly, older participants were more likely to confuse an upset chicken’s call for a happy one.

This study highlights our uncanny ability to connect with other species through sound. Chickens may lack facial expressions, but their unique vocalizations and feather-flashing body language speak volumes. 

This does make us wonder why chickens make for food and not for good pets. Also, who knew chickens had so much to say?

The Unsurprising Investment Number

AI has sucked up an increasingly large chunk of VC funding in the United States in recent years. In the first nine months of 2024, investments in AI-related ventures made up 33% of the total investment number, a sharp rise from 13% in 2022, the year OpenAI launched ChatGPT.

More than 40 AI startups secured deals exceeding $100 million, while six, including OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI, raised over $1 billion each, with both receiving $6 billion in funding.

So in case you were wondering which industries to look forward to in the coming year or were worried that the AI bubble might burst and your bot skills might become obsolete, now you know. 

Beyond The Party, Meaningful Ways To Start The New Year

I spent almost every New Year’s Eve with my grandmother, and I don’t regret it one bit. We would order pizza, eat snacks, and watch the ball drop on TV. So if you’re not feeling the partying or big gatherings this year, let’s talk about some low-key, meaningful ways you could start off the new year.

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