Posted on 04/07/2025 10:34:20 AM PDT by Pollard
For more than a decade, scientists have chased the idea of reviving extinct species, a process sometimes called de-extinction. Now, a company called Colossal Biosciences appears to have done it, or something close, with the dire wolf, a giant, extinct species made famous by the television series “Game of Thrones.”
In 2021, a separate team of scientists managed to retrieve DNA from the fossils of dire wolves, which went extinct about 13,000 years ago. With the discovery of additional DNA, the Colossal researchers have now edited 20 genes of gray wolves to imbue the animals with key features of dire wolves. They then created embryos from the edited gray-wolf cells, implanted them in surrogate dog mothers and waited for them to give birth.
The result is three healthy wolves — two males that are 6 months old and one female that is 2 months old, named Romulus, Remus and Khaleesi — that have some traits of dire wolves.
They are big, for one thing, and have dense, pale coats not found in gray wolves. Colossal, which was valued at $10 billion in January, is keeping the wolves on a private 2,000-acre facility at an undisclosed location in the northern United States.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I'm not Korean or Vietnamese so I couldn't tell you.
I went there in high school back in the 80’s (my brother went to Cal Tech and the family was visiting him) and never forgot the Dire Wolves. That display brings back memories.
I think the only reason we have that now is because the large dangerous ones went extinct. They do plan on bringing the Dodo bird back. The eggs might make a heck of an omelette.
“Since it is just a big wolf,
—
No its not.
Dire Wolves’ bite force is 163 newtons per kilogram of body weight, while modern gray wolf, Canis lupus, registers around 136 newtons per kilogram of body weight.
https://enviroliteracy.org/how-strong-is-a-dire-wolf-bite/
Do they taste good?
—
On par with Rooster. Tough, stringy, bitter.
“I’m not Korean or Vietnamese so I couldn’t tell you.”
My wife says you are a spoiled American who has never known poverty and hasn’t seem much outside the house.
The old German recipe was actually for dog, and didn’t say much, but did suggest a marinade. That did as the starting point. Quantity enough to cover the meat, on the bone:
Beer & Red Wine Marinade
Liquid: Half Dark Beer, half strong red wine (Cabernet or Shiraz)
Ground black pepper
Decent slug of rock salt
Small Handful of juniper berries
Rosemary
Bay leaves
I left the wolf in this for one week. The aroma of the meat however was still very strong, and I needed to do something about it. Then – brainwave: a whisky marinade. Keeping the beer/wine marinade to one side (to reduce and use later as a sauce), I created the following marinade to finish the tenderizing, again enough to cover the meat:
the[y] went extinct for a reason.
—
Reason: cometary bombardment lasting 100 years in 10900 BC - killed all the mega fauna worldwide, firestorms buried off 10% of Earth’s vegetation, ushered in the Younger Dryas Event which lasted 1000 years, after which sea levels rose 450 feet average around the world, aka climate change
and dang proud of it
I was quoting someone else with that. :)
These are a species from 12,000 years ago. I’d say if you had fire and could cook them, you’re doing good.
But to add to your point...
“its prey is known to have included western horses, ground sloths, mastodons, ancient bison, and camels.”
Humans do not stand a chance against a pack of these...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dire_wolf
People may lack humility for a variety of complex reasons, often stemming from a combination of psychological, social, and cultural influences. Here are some key factors:
Psychological Factors:
* Insecurity and Low Self-Esteem: Ironically, a lack of humility can sometimes mask underlying insecurities. People may boast or act superior to compensate for feeling inadequate. By trying to appear better than others, they seek validation and a temporary boost to their fragile self-esteem.
* Narcissism and Ego: Individuals with narcissistic traits have an inflated sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. They genuinely believe they are superior and entitled to special treatment, making humility difficult or impossible.
* Fear of Vulnerability: Humility involves acknowledging limitations and mistakes, which can feel vulnerable. Some people avoid humility to protect themselves from perceived judgment or criticism.
* Cognitive Biases: Several cognitive biases can hinder humility:
* Superiority Bias: The tendency to view oneself as better than average.
* Self-Serving Bias: Attributing successes to internal factors (e.g., skill) and failures to external factors (e.g., bad luck).
* Confirmation Bias: Seeking out and interpreting information that confirms pre-existing beliefs about one’s abilities.
* Fixed Mindset: Believing that abilities and intelligence are fixed traits can lead to a lack of humility. Individuals with a fixed mindset may focus on proving their existing abilities rather than learning and growing from mistakes.
Social and Cultural Factors:
* Cultural Values: Some cultures place a high value on assertiveness, competition, and individual achievement, which can sometimes be misinterpreted as or lead to a lack of humility.
* Upbringing and Reinforcement: Children who are constantly praised without realistic feedback or who witness a lack of humility in role models may develop a similar trait.
* Social Comparison: Constantly comparing oneself to others can fuel feelings of superiority or inferiority, both of which can impede humility. A focus on external validation and status can overshadow the importance of inner qualities like humility.
* Fear of Appearing Weak: In some social circles or professional environments, humility might be mistakenly perceived as a sign of weakness or lack of confidence. This can discourage individuals from displaying it.
* The “Cult of the Expert”: In fields where expertise is highly valued, individuals may develop an inflated sense of their own knowledge and dismiss the contributions or perspectives of others.
Situational Factors:
* Success and Power: Achieving significant success or holding positions of power can sometimes lead to a decrease in humility. The praise and deference received can reinforce a sense of superiority.
* Lack of Perspective: Limited life experiences or a lack of exposure to diverse perspectives can make it difficult for individuals to recognize their own limitations or the validity of others’ viewpoints.
It’s important to remember that a lack of humility often stems from a combination of these factors and exists on a spectrum. While some individuals may exhibit extreme arrogance, others may simply struggle with acknowledging their mistakes or appreciating the contributions of others. Cultivating humility often requires self-awareness, a willingness to learn and grow, and a conscious effort to value others.
The Boys From Brazil comes to mind.
Bookmark.
Great, it’s only a matter of time before the Colorado Legislature will want to “Re-introduce” them.
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