"(such as a mouse under a mound of plastic bags at a distance of eighteen inches (about half a meter[2]))"
To save yourself a footnote, just parse it as "about half a yard/meter." Or, the heck with it, "a cubit" and then footnote that.
Happy New Year. I fell asleep about nine in the evening.
I favor the "processing speed" explanation, myself. Although stereo does depend on the distance between receptors. Large (lion-sized) cats might do better.
There's something very appealing about resurrecting the word "cubit". I'm going to have to remind myself to use it more often.
As for the distance between the receptors, that did occur to me as I was writing that entry. I wonder whether adjusting for face-to-sound-source distance can compensate for the distance-between-the-ears distance to compare "raw" direction-sensing skill, or whether there are speed-of-sound and/or phase timing issues as well as the difference in angles.
Hmm. I may need to spend a lot of time at the zoo when the weather warms up.
(no subject)
To save yourself a footnote, just parse it as "about half a yard/meter." Or, the heck with it, "a cubit" and then footnote that.
Happy New Year. I fell asleep about nine in the evening.
I favor the "processing speed" explanation, myself. Although stereo does depend on the distance between receptors. Large (lion-sized) cats might do better.
(no subject)
As for the distance between the receptors, that did occur to me as I was writing that entry. I wonder whether adjusting for face-to-sound-source distance can compensate for the distance-between-the-ears distance to compare "raw" direction-sensing skill, or whether there are speed-of-sound and/or phase timing issues as well as the difference in angles.
Hmm. I may need to spend a lot of time at the zoo when the weather warms up.
(no subject)
The yard is between, but you can use 'Two cubits' to keep the flavor. And four cubits is a fathom, of course.