what nature can achieve with 16 neurons

Intercepting a moving object requires prediction of its future location. This complex task has been solved by dragonflies, who intercept their prey in midair with a 95% success rate. In this study, we show that a group of 16 neurons, called target-selective descending neurons (TSDNs), code a population vector that reflects the direction of the target with high accuracy and reliability across 360°. The TSDN spatial (receptive field) and temporal (latency) properties matched the area of the retina where the prey is focused and the reaction time, respectively, during predatory flights. The directional tuning curves and morphological traits (3D tracings) for each TSDN type were consistent among animals, but spike rates were not. Our results emphasize that a successful neural circuit for target tracking and interception can be achieved with few neurons and that in dragonflies this information is relayed from the brain to the wing motor centers in population vector form.

that got real deep

"We can’t seem to take each other seriously, except when we take each other way too seriously. This “darkness and light” battle seems to have created a situation where you are either on one side or the other. There is no middle ground. There is no nuance. We don’t agree to disagree. We just disagree. Even as we descend into a culture of memes and in-jokes, there is still the harsh reality of being human.

If one of the most valuable companies in the U.S. is willing to poke fun at their foibles, maybe we can continue working our jobs at a flawed, imperfect company as well."