spinnetrouble@sh.itjust.works to Science Memes@mander.xyzEnglish · 2 days agoRudesh.itjust.worksimagemessage-square38fedilinkarrow-up1708arrow-down10
arrow-up1708arrow-down1imageRudesh.itjust.worksspinnetrouble@sh.itjust.works to Science Memes@mander.xyzEnglish · 2 days agomessage-square38fedilink
minus-squareQuetzalcutlass@lemmy.worldlinkfedilinkEnglisharrow-up18·2 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-squareKevin@programming.devlinkfedilinkEnglisharrow-up5·1 day 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/
minus-squareWhiskyTangoFoxtrot@lemmy.worldlinkfedilinkEnglisharrow-up7·2 days ago“This canary died of natural causes.”
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.
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/
“This canary died of natural causes.”