spinnetrouble@sh.itjust.works to Science Memes@mander.xyzEnglish · 9 days agoRudesh.itjust.worksimagemessage-square37fedilinkarrow-up1727arrow-down10
arrow-up1727arrow-down1imageRudesh.itjust.worksspinnetrouble@sh.itjust.works to Science Memes@mander.xyzEnglish · 9 days agomessage-square37fedilink
minus-squareQuetzalcutlass@lemmy.worldlinkfedilinkEnglisharrow-up18·8 days agoHence the idiom “canary in a coal mine” for early detection of a failure. Miners used to carry a caged bird with them to detect pockets of deadly gasses. If the canary suddenly drops dead, it’s time to get the hell out.
minus-squareWhiskyTangoFoxtrot@lemmy.worldlinkfedilinkEnglisharrow-up7·8 days ago“This canary died of natural causes.”
minus-squareKevin@programming.devlinkfedilinkEnglisharrow-up5·8 days agoMy favourite tidbit about them is how there were dedicated devices to bring them back from the brink of unconsciousness: https://museumcrush.org/this-device-was-used-to-resuscitate-canaries-in-coal-mines/
Hence the idiom “canary in a coal mine” for early detection of a failure. Miners used to carry a caged bird with them to detect pockets of deadly gasses. If the canary suddenly drops dead, it’s time to get the hell out.
“This canary died of natural causes.”
My favourite tidbit about them is how there were dedicated devices to bring them back from the brink of unconsciousness: https://museumcrush.org/this-device-was-used-to-resuscitate-canaries-in-coal-mines/