Laziness was the causes of ancient human extinction?

Homo erectus first appeared two million years ago and went extinct around 50,000 to 100,000 years ago and was the first early hominid to become a true global explorer. They are known to migrate from Africa to Eurasia, then spread to Georgia, Sri Lanka, China and Indonesia.

An illustration of ancient human. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ODr59N)

However, according to a recent study published in the PLOS One journal on July 27, 2018, the Homo erectus species turned out to be quite lazy and reluctant to adapt to environmental changes compared to other hominids - such as Neanderthals.

As quoted from IFLScience! on Friday, August 10, 2018, which reported that archaeologists from the Australian National University analyzed thousands of newly discovered artifacts and excavated from excavation sites in the Arabian Peninsula in modern Saffaqah region, Saudi Arabia in 2014 to find out the reason of these species extinction.

Their findings indicate that the Homo erectus species in the area actually tried as little as possible to make tools and find supplies. Though these ancient humans lived in areas that had easy access to rocks and water.

This is Dr. Ceri Shipton on site at Saffaqah in central Saudi Arabia. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Mjx5Ik)

"They don't seem to inspire themselves. I don't get proof that they are true explorers, they don't have the same curiosity as we are now," Dr. Ceri Shipton as told to Sky News.

He also added that this was evidence of how the species made stone tools they found lying around their homes. The problem is, the stones are of low quality. Most stone tools are made from stones that are worse than tools in the next civilization. In fact, there are areas of better quality rock even though it requires a trip far enough from their settlements.

"When we saw the rock there were no signs of any activity, there were no artifacts and there were no rock excavations. They knew it was there, but because they had enough resources for them, so why bother -repot? " Shipton continued.

The site at Saffaqah in central Saudi Arabia. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2nE0uy0)

This is in contrast to the makers of stone tools in later periods, including early Homo sapiens and Neanderthals. They climbed the mountain to find good quality rocks and transport them in long distances.

"Sediment samples show the environment around them is changing, but they are doing the same thing with their equipment," said Dr. Shipton. Unlike the more advanced species, Homo erectus tends to use a single "generic" tool for almost all jobs.

However, Homo erectus's ability to make tools is far more advanced than early humans in other parts of the world. They can already make a hand ax. Homo erectus-type ancient humans are strong and skilled. They developed in this region for some time. But, once the river bed dries up and there is sedimentation in the river, Homo erectus actually dies because they lack initiative. "They have never been very far from sources of clean water," said Dr. Shipton.

"We also found that their technology for making stone tools is very conservative. They use the same strategies to make tools in the face of a changing environment. So, they are not only lazy but also very conservative," he said as quoted by Science Daily on August 10, 2018.

Shipton said further that the extinction of Homo erectus was caused by not having the ability to plan for the future. "They only plan for the next few hours, or maybe for the next day. While Homo sapiens and Neanderthals plan further ahead, like a seasonal migration plan," he concluded. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | IFLSCIENCE! | SCIENCE DAILY]

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The Body becomes a Tree

Have you ever imagined a cemetery area that was originally known with a tense, scary and lonely atmosphere, then turned into a green landscape full of trees, beautiful and harmonious? Actually, there are many ideas that have been initiated to make funeral concepts in the last decade, recently there is one concept that has been widely highlighted and has invited many pros and cons comments. The concept came from Italy.
There's a video that describes the concept of organic graves being viral on social media. And those video was uploaded in the Facebook social media through the "Be Inspired Aspire" pages, and has been watched more than 36 millions times.

The video introduces an environmentally friendly organic burial "coffin" concept to turn tombstone graves into a unique innovation called Capsula Mundi. These Capsula Mundi concept was first put forward by Anna Citelli and Raoul Bretezel, who made a burial pods or called the Capsula Mundi, where these pods serves as a fertilizer for the tree.

Capsula Mundi burial concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2KSsVSd)

The idea is to place the body in a position like a fetus in the womb in a biodegradable burial pods. The pods are then planted on the ground with seeds or trees. The seeds are placed in a jar that stores the ashes below with a mixture of soil. In the Bios jar, the seeds that are planted take food from ash when it grows into a tree.

In Twitter, Capsula Mundi uploaded a picture of a tree hugged by someone and added with a little comment. "My grandma is an oak tree. She chose to do this because she preferred a tree to a tombstone. And when I visit the wood, I feel grandma is still with me," wrote the @capsula_mundi account accompanied by hashtag #lifeneverstops #greenburial #trees. 

"My grandma is an oak tree. She chose to do this because she preferred a tree to a tombstone. And when I visit the wood, I feel grandma is still with me." #lifeneverstops #greenburial #trees #DOWNLOAD the Capsula Mundi #brochure https://t.co/053RhVdBRN pic.twitter.com/AjfDvUnVAJ

— Capsula Mundi (@capsula_mundi) April 23, 2018

It is unfortunate until now the Capsula Mundi are still a concept because many people think it violates the rules and some norms about burying a body under the tree. In addition, not many people who want to buried in such a way and it turns out to cost quite a lot.

And Capsula Mundi claimed, if this idea is practiced, then people will visit the forest as a cemetery to remember their loved ones. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CAPSULA MUNDI]

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A billionaire's strange ways to treat an expensive Hypercar

Pagani Zonda Revolucion became one of the expensive hypercars which was once the target of the millionaires who love automotive. Even when it first arrived in 2014, prospective customers who wanted these car had to pay it at price of US. $ 2.2 million or equivalent to Rp. 30 billion.

Pagani Zonda Revolucion whose had appeared at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. Although originating from Italy, the Pagani Zonda Revolucion was used a machine from the AMG Mercedes-Benz.

2014 Pagani Zonda Revolucion owned by Pablo Perez before it moved into living room and made as the separator wall in slanted position. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2KugziV)

For your information, these 1,070 kg hypercar uses a 6.0 liter V12 engine capable of spraying power up to 789 hp with 730 Nm of torque. With those engine's power, the car is claimed to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 2.6 seconds with a top speed of 350 km/hour.

Of course for anyone who has Pagani Zonda Revolucion, surely they will treat this hypercar very special. But you know, there is a different and very strange ways to treat the Pagani Zonda Revolucion like it has been done by a rich man named Pablo Perez.

As reported by Carscoops, because of his love to these supercar brand, Perez decided to make a perfect work of art. Yes, his Pagani Zonda Ravolucion which has a carbon fiber body made as a separator as well as the wall between the living room with another room.

Yeap .......finally !! Finito la macchina. Che bella esperienza e soprattutto molto lavoro. Grazie mille a tutti i coinvolti. #darkminion #carbonfiber #pagani #paganizonda #paganizondar #miami #rideordie

A post shared by Pablo Perez Companc (@pperezc) on Apr 25, 2018 at 12:08pm PDT

Reportedly also Perez not only had Pagani Zonda Revolucion, but also Pagani Huayra BC. But for Pagani Zonda Revolucion, despite being a display, it turns out that the car is still functioning properly. It's just that, because of these 2013 production hypercar in slanted position, so the car's engine had been removed. 

That's the behavior of the rich to seek sensation, really weird isn't it and there's always a way to squandering the money. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS | MOTORAUTHORITY | TN AUTOS]

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Know a little about an Automotive Product Designer profession

Currently we know the emergence of many automotive products such as cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, heavy equipment and so forth can not be separated from the role of Product Designers who contribute their ideas, to give birth to an attractive and functional vehicle forms.

An illustration of Automotive design. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2LjirzC)

Illustration of an Automotive Designer on 
action. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2LjirzC)

And if you are also interested in the Product Designers profession like me, there is nothing wrong if we share about what and how the gait of the automotive product designers. Here I am trying to re-display an old article that have been published in one of Indonesian local newspapers (Pikiran Rakyat - Bandung in 2003). So it can provide positive feedback to make you to be a Product Designer in the future. Yes, in the future the profession of Automotive Product Designers will be a very promising and challenging profession.

In developed countries that uphold the intellectual rights, the profession and the scope of the designer's work - whatever the frills - are highly respected. The heart of fashion and and industrial designers, including automotive products, seemed to be race to produce innovative forms. So it's not surprising that topnotch designs can be appeared all the time.

An illustration of Automotive design. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2LjirzC)

In every research and design (R & D) rooms is like an automotive companie's "life reserve" warehouse. "Because that's where the character of the product is formed," said one of the automotive activists named Mizan Allan De Neve, who is also active in fostering young automotive designers. "The potential and opportunities of our designers are actually quite good, even able to compete in foreign countries," he said furthermore.

An illustration of Automotive design. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2LjirzC)

So, what and how are the requirement to be an automotive product designer? He calls the skills of pouring ideas into two-dimensional images as a key requirement. An accuracy is required, since the designer must know exactly the details of their design. So when it will be transformed into a three-dimensional form (model or prototype), there is no difficulty. The natural talent, if combined with the basic knowledge of automotive (at least know the location and how to work of vehicle parts), will form a special talent.

"He can master the field three to four times faster than those who have to learn the ins and outs of vehicle components," he said further. Now in Indonesia, at least there are 11 universities or academics having industrial design majors, including automotive. Four of them in Jakarta, namely Universitas Paramadina, Universitas Trisakti, Universitas Indonesia Esa Unggul, and Universitas Pelita Harapan.

An illustration of Automotive design. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2LjirzC)

What if we are interested to study abroad? According to David Cole, Director of Industrial Design, Academy of Art College, San Fransisco, who has more flexible requirements. The most important capital for design learning is creativity and a strong desire to become a designer. "There is no need for special skills," he said on an occasion on the AAC website.

Illustration of an Automotive Designer on 
action. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2LjirzC)

In the US and Europe, schools that teach automotive design are numerous. Understandably, car manufacturers and automotive design houses there are also countless. No wonder the graduate of the school was often the target of a large factory such as Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Audi, VW, and home of leading design, such as Gingko Design, Fitch, Frogdesign, Pentagram, and Astrodesign and many others.

David Cole summarizes that in the AAC curriculum there are four teaching areas: drawing, modeling, computerization, and designing techniques. Where the students are taught drawing techniques and modeling in traditional ways and computer aids.

"Design tools in each factory are often different. By teaching various alternative ways of designing, so that the students are ready to face the differences, "he continued later.

Illustration of an Automotive Designer on 
action. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2LjirzC)

As for the Asia pacific region, art and design schools such as Hongik University are quite popular, as it gets a lot of support from South Korean car manufacturers. In every year, these schools showcase the work of their students. Well, if there is a design that can attract the attention of large car manufacturers, then the designer can immediately get a job offer.

A prospective automotive product designer must also be diligent in observing the development of automotive. David further reminded, that next-generation cars will be more smart, because it uses hybrid fuel like hydrogen and others. So the use of space is also more efficient, but on the other hand more and more communication devices and computer-based entertainment will be installed in the vehicle..

"I dare to say. In the future, this profession will be very challenging," said David who also known as one of the Coventry Polytechnic (now Coventry University) graduate. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | PIKIRAN RAKYAT | LONDON DESIGN COLLAGE | SAFT7.COM]

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This man's body suddenly bloated like a ballon, how could it be?

Having a work related to nature, sometimes unexpected things can happen suddenly. As the story of the fisherman follows, unexpectedly his whole body suddenly ballooned like a balloon after he dive for fish.

Peruvian fisherman named Alejandro Ramos Martinez gained nearly five stone after swimming up from a dive in the Pacific Ocean too quickly. (Picture from: http://dailym.ai/2xsIKMC)

Initially, a Peruvian fisherman named Alejandro Ramoz Martinez was doing his job as a fisherman and diving for fish. However, at that time Ramoz surfaced too quick to, then he was surprised because his body suddenly ballooned like a balloon.

Doctors are treating the unlucky fisherman but say they are unable to remove all the air. So far they have reduced the nitrogen in his body by 30 per cent. (Picture from: http://dailym.ai/2xsIKMC)

This strange thing just new felt by him as long as he work as a fisherman. According to doctors who treating him, this can be fatal. Ramoz is exposed to decompression effects because of its unprecedented nature. The sickness caused due to the many nitrogen that dissolves in his body, and it can also trigger brain damage.

Martinez in an air lock at hospital. He is now being given oxygen treatments in a pressurised chamber. (Picture from: http://dailym.ai/2xsIKMC)

Because of this incident is quite unique and rare, doctors are still continuing to find out about the disease he suffered. It also makes Ramoz unable to work as a fisherman like before. For now Alejandro endures severe pain and walks with difficulty because of the accident. He also suffers from serious hypertension. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DAILYMAIL]

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5 mysteries of lost history is finally revealed

Some events in the past sometimes make us think that it is impossible. However, those impossible events and only based on the story, at the end were successfully revealed by the experts and scientists today.

Maybe you wonder how those mysteries of history are lost? Here are some lost historical mysteries that have been revealed.

1. Lost Army of Cambyses II

In 524 BC, the Persian King named Cambyses II sent his troops to invade the Egypt. There are more than 50,000 soldiers deployed to conquer it. However, all of a sudden all the soldiers vanished without a trace and become a legend since then.

According to the scientists the legend army of Cambyses II to invade Egypt was wiped out and vanished by an enormous sandstorm in the desert. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ynnvsi)

However, recently Angelo and Alfredo Castiglioni managed to find the remains of these legendary soldiers. This of course proves the hard work of these scientists for 13 years. Apparently, these soldiers not only disappeared, but they were killed in an enormous sandstorm.

2. Mysterious Bosham Head

The Bosham Head is one of the most debatable finds and turn out identifiable by using modern technology. Before, the Bosham Head was unnamed for more than two centuries because of its terrible condition.

Before the hi-tech study, little was known about the eroded 170 kg stone (left), which is twice as large as a human head, including who it was meant to depict. However,  now archaeologists believe it is the head of a statue of Emperor Trajan. A more complete and less weather-beaten bust is pictured right. (Picture from: http://dailym.ai/2wQKawg)

Recently, by using laser scanners have helped the scientists identify these 170-kilogram stone as one of the great statues of the Roman Emperor Trajan. And now, the statue is a tourist attraction in the port of Chichester and these Bosham head itself becomes one of the most important Roman heritage in Britain.

3. Mystery Of Death Valley's Walking Stones

It had been appalled the social media after the news of this walking stones appeared to the public. Everyone who sees the rocks in Death Valley, California whether in person or via the interwebs, have noticed a strange phenomenon that takes place with some of the Valley’s rocks- they seem to be moving across the valley floor.

The rocks in Racetrack Playa move slowly enough that you can’t see the movement happening, about 15 feet per minute, but the fact that they are actually moving is reconfirmed by the trails left behind in their wake. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2fkWfU7)

There was no explanation of the phenomenon until Richard and James Norris proved that there was ice cubes formed around these stone in the winter. And when it melts, the rocks seemly begin to shift due to the wind blow.

Now, thanks to a lucky discovery made December 2014 by Richard and James Norris, we finally have an answer- weather phenomenon that surprisingly has much more in common with an arctic climate than a desert. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2fkWfU7)

4. Mystery of Mary Celeste

Mary Celeste is a fairly famous ghost ship and was discovered in 1872 with no trace of crew nor any damage to the ship. Until a chemist named Dr. Andrea Sella did an experiment that could explain the phenomenon.

An 1861 painting of Mary Celeste (named Amazon at the time), by an unknown artist. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2xEPruV)

Noted there are about 1700 barrels of alcohol carried by the ship that could be easily make explosions and burns in the form a wall of fire when followed by a wave of cold air which not to leave a fire or soot. The crew can leave the ship and then die in the ocean.

5. Helicopter of Ancient Egyptian

The Abydos hieroglyphs in the temple of Osiris led to some discussions because of there were alleged symbols of helicopters, tanks, even a jet. There are many theories about the secret knowledge of the Ancient Egyptians.

The Abydos-Hieroglyph does not depict a Helicopter, Tank, or Jet. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2xCYADX)

However, scientists managed to restore the original hieroglyphic symbols and prove that the helicopter and other symbols are mere manipulations by time. Apparently, our brain was deceives us to see the familiar forms in it. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES |]

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