Stephen Fry and Alan Davies Argue About Bees

[davidmanhart1]

Gotta go with Alan on this one though.. :-)

[milosQaX]

So let me see if i understand this. 950 000 neurons are not enough to remember where you live but they are enough to calculate your position with the help of the sun, even if its not there? This time I'm on Alans side :).

[Gavin17259]

@davidentp Denied

[yateslucy]

@davidentp

Oh for gods sake....

Go outside and touch a tree or sit under a mouse....

do something else with your life than just being cocky all the time!

[pickednads6]

I dunno about when it's on the other side of the world, but bees can see the sun on an overcast day because they can see ultraviolet rays

[IL0veMoz]

It's not amazing, humans are very intelligent, so why is it so amazing that other beings have some of that intelligence awell, thats there way of living and trying to keep themselves alive, like we do in are way. otherwise everything else will be just lying on the floor doing fuck all because they'll know fuck all.

[mercycollege123]

that would probably be the first time stephen has ever lost an argument :P

[gilajeanne]

Go Alan!!! :)

[redhare1973]

2 raters are bee experts who dislike Alans comments

[Apocanaut]

Stephen's point about the neurons only weakens his own point, I think. Seems like the knowledge of the sun's movement is a lot more complex than remembering the location of the hive...

[freethis222]

I love Alan Davies' logic

[Babyhowdy233]

@freethis222

Me too! I think he is both brilliant and adorable!

[SKILLWILL09]

press 9 and hold for 46 seconds then press control alt f1then open a new window and press space then 7 then shoot a cow in the foot and you will hear the enigma code

[GRIMLOCK84]

If bees are so smart why do they always get stuck on the inside of my bedroom window??

Stupid bees-0

Me-1

[Pleendriver]

From honey bees to dark matter and the big bang and back again - it must be YouTube Comments!

Honey bees can see polarised UV from the sun which penetrates clouds, and they can sense the Earth's magnetic field. Using both, they 'know' their way out and back home.

Nectar producing flowers have a central 'target' visible in UV to guide the bees in.

Oh, and bees don't fly at night. Minus 10 points for QI.

[RedOrangeSystem]

Pres 4 and then 3

[genuinelyaperson]

"Honey bees have only 950,000 neurons as opposed to our 10,000,000,000"

Only Stephen Fry would remember how many neurons a species of insect has...

He is spookily clever.

[megaspeed2]

@genuinelyaperson he also has an earpiece... he doesnt remember every tiny little fact, he does know a freakin hell of a lot but for the crazy facts he has some help

[TuvTube]

@megaspeed2 I forgot this isn't Facebook, so I just wanted to let you know that I was the one who thumbed you up on this one

[DTFGful]

press 4 repeatedly

[MrBuch169169]

Stephen's like, 'I WILL not rise to him... the pig-eyed sack of shit...'

[KrimHyu]

alan turns up at stephens house that night THE BEES KNOW WHERE I LIVE STEPHEN ... and then they get married

[darkhawk1979]

I can't stand watching TV (unless the footy is on), but I love this show!

[latindancer4ever]

Adore them both immensely! 

[MachineGun28]

Karl Pilkington got stung by a bee. Then he scored a goal

[RichPlaystation]

@MachineGun28 On the fleshy part of the thumb, at half time, indeed.

[DANATRINGWOOD]

when bees find the nectar they want do they use there nectar cards to purchase it lol

[BIGmanFACE]

If anyone is interested in learning more about honeybee communication after watching this they should look up Karl von Frisch, the scientist who first described the waggle dance and did a number of fascinating experiments into honeybee cognition. If you REALLY want to get into it you should also look for books written by Martin Lindauer and Thomas D Seeley!

As always, QI is both funny and educational...... the best combination!

[KefeQT]

HAHA, Alan finally wins on some point!

[PrezLeefun]

@KefeQT I have to agree, I think Alan whipped Stephen there. Sometimes the simple explanation is really the right one.

[SwiftsNamesake]

Perhaps the bees have the ability to distinguish polarized light...

[BIGmanFACE]

@SwiftsNamesake They do.

[SwiftsNamesake]

@BIGmanFACE Mystery solved, then.

[Craigguitarist1]

Happy birthday Alan ;D

[PhilWithCoffee]

Ah, Alan's irrefutable logic :-)

[kamelotmerlin]

oooooh, Alan just rules.

[AngelBiLove]

Stephen: 18.754

Alan: 1 yay xD progress!

[VamLoveAndKisses]

'No we don't - we just remember where we live!' Pfff! XD

[Kinsey2285]

If I'm honest, I've seen a little bit of Alan Davies live and I didn't find him all that funny. However, I love him on QI. I find him insanely cute. Anyone agree?

[jemgrrargh]

@Kinsey2285 yep!

[IcEye89]

@Kinsey2285 Upon reading this comment I looked at some of his stuff on youtube. Whilst that is by no means enough to judge, my first impression would be the same. QI is just better.

[twentyletternamesftw]

lol

[HcmJames]

can you please rename it to "discuss bees"

[XxXHeavenElevenXxX]

"They've only got one thing to remember - where they live" xD <3

[tehlinebeginstoblur]

Ahh my mouse froze for like a tenth of a second but it did so right as it was over the wrong thumb and I clicked "dislike" by accident! (I always knew those dislikes on QI videos were mistakes) I feel so guilty...

[abarnybox]

@tehlinebeginstoblur :O

you realise you are the only one of course?

and that this means I have to kill you >_<

[Sonseba]

@tehlinebeginstoblur Yeah lol, you are THE only person to dislike the video. You must die.

[MoooonshoesPotter]

Alan Davies, you were right all along!

The Guardian posted a whole article about it, called, "Bees' tiny brains beat computers, study finds"

[MoooonshoesPotter]

I love Alan... is he still single, at least?? haha.

[Tsukasamacleod]

@MoooonshoesPotter Nope! He has a wife and Daughter.

[MoooonshoesPotter]

@Tsukasamacleod WHYYYYYY?????

haha

[snoookie456]

Yeah sure... so 950,000 neurons in their brains... so with those 950,000 neurons they can calculate the position of the sun and they can't remember where they live? XD

Just love QI!

[willisverynice]

@snoookie456 To you calculating the position of the sun may seem harder than remembering where you live, that's only because you don't do it very often, where you do "remember where you live" quite a lot (I hope). Think for a minute about how much information you need to remember where you live, try explaining to someone whose not from your city or town where you live, then try to explain where the sun is.... I think you'll find the second one easier.

[snoookie456]

@willisverynice Well yeah but if I explain to someone where I live I can give him some points to coordinate with. While if I tell him where the sun is he won't even calculate his own way home... And the disagreement come from "calculating the position of the sun"... If that's what they mean by "telling which is east and which is west" that is definately not calculating the position of the sun. And that is why bees do not calculate - they REMEMBER where they live.

[snoookie456]

@willisverynice Now you think about it - if you were a bee at night XD which would've been easier... to remember where you live or to use the coordinates of the Earth that are hit by the sun's rays at an exact 90 degrees angle and thus using both time and space parameters to relocate your whereabouts and your home (EVERY SINGLE TIME, WITHOUT REMEMBERING). Cause if you can do it - oh please tell me how! :D

[EloraSmith]

He says such witty things. I love Alan.

[chloe21091]

Love the begining when stephen fry's talking for about 20 seconds really fast and the camero goes on every person and they're all thinking "What's he on about??" lol =)

[1100ema1100]

QI is amazing!!!

Love Alan muchly <3 :)

[alahl002]

brilliant one of the few times were Alan actually wins one

[Butterfly2nite]

I love Alan. He is absolutely amazing!

[MusicHypno]

Alan: 1

Stephen: 0

[papapaprice]

@MusicHypno

Alan: 1

Stephen: 1'000'000

[Sonseba]

@MusicHypno More like, Alan : 1

Stephen : Over 9000!!!!!!!! or at least thats an approximation

[Kretain]

@MusicHypno more like

Alan:1

Stephen: 898 173

[kinglynx]

@Kretain more like

Alan: 2

Stephen: OVER 9000!!

[highestsettings]

@kinglynx Shut up.

[kinglynx]

@highestsettings no

[cgnetwork1]

@MusicHypno Lol correction:

Alan: 1

Stephen: infinity

[Outrun37]

Lol! This was awesome

[stratplayerstevo]

UNLUCKY THEO

[BrainyBabe24]

Alan's HAIR!!! Where are the curls that we all love?!

[imhannahbeliever]

Love it!

[MrOldskooltillidie]

what the hell has big bang theory or the theory of relativity got to do with bloody bees knowing where they live. for the theoretical gods sake watch the vid laugh if you like it post if you feel the need and leave the theory chat for some other site where people give a dam.

[aussiedutchukrainian]

great video, but the lip sync is out

[skoc6227]

... or animals evolve over time, and past selection pressures shaped their current appearance and behaviour...

[daniellexxE]

LOL They can't remember where they live, but they can calculate where nectar is according to the sun. :P

[darkhawk1979]

Has anyone seen a picture of what the known universe looks like? It seems to form a structure similar to that of our own brains. Does that mean that we are just a figment of God's imagination?

Having said that, though, when showing this overall picture does it account for the position of galaxies and stars relative to the speed of light and our observation? I think I just broke my brain.

[skoc6227]

The filamentary structure of the large-scale universe is reminiscent of the axons and dendrites emanating from a neuron, i suppose. If you are interested, the filaments of superclusters of galaxies form due to gravitational collapse over billions of years.

The overall picture does not account for the position of the galaxies relative to the speed of light: IT is SIMPLY a plot of what we see with our telescopes . Therefore, the farther out we see a galaxy, the further back in time it is.

[darkhawk1979]

@skoc6227 I wonder if it's possible to map out their actual position's accounting for this. The data would have to be exact and use huge numbers, one significant number could stuff the whole calculation! I'd think it would be an undertaking similar to mapping out the human genome. Kinda makes you realise how far fetched the idea that everything in the universe happened by chance...

[xenos60]

@skoc6227

oh my, what big words you have

[Reephamike]

I find this amazing that even its something funny or funny but innocent people STILL have something to argue about. give it a rest!!!!

[TheEvilHRDirector]

Here, here.

[mrchrisdavis09]

You can really see their marriage breaking down here. It's so sad.

[LeighMichelle75]

who's marriage?

[mrchrisdavis09]

Stephen and Alan. They got a civil partnership, but it well apart. Very sad.

[LeighMichelle75]

I'm afraid your wrong, Stephen is gay but Alan is married with children.

[TheLydianRocks]

@mrchrisdavis09 ??? wtf lol

[SonSkoji]

This conversation is slightly out of place. I never thought I'd see the day when a conversation on Youtube would be intelligent.

[WarMasterX6]

@SonSkoji I know right? XD

[KonsharPaHuvet]

owned :P

[chrisose]

Back to the bee navigation issue:

There is evidence that cell phone signals are interfering with the bee's ability to navigate. This somewhat counters the theory that they use an internal sun map and time clock to navigate. Their navigation appears much more likely to be based on sensitivity to magnetic fields and visual cues as opposed to solar position.

[heavyrocklegend]

You did not listen to what i said, studying gravitational lessening and cosmological expansion rates gives us confirmation that dark matter exists. We dont have physical evidence but we have evidence in coordination with laws we hold at the heart of modern physics. Your analogies are very good but your argument is basic, and lacking comprehension.

But where is the comparison to "Sometimes science ignores the simplest answers in order propose grand ideas." and the theory of Dark Matter?

[chrisose]

@heavyrocklegend

Studying the images of distant galaxies only tells us one thing for sure, what it looks like. Everything else is conjecture.

Just as the religious see the 'hand of god' in everything, scientists (especially Theoretical Physicists and Cosmologists) see proof of there hypothesis in the picture of the sky. However their assertions are not verifiable by any current means.

[chrisose]

@heavyrocklegend

Dark matter was only proposed because the behavior of the visible galaxies does not conform to Newtonian physics or Einstein's work. Faced with this there where two alternatives, invent a new form of matter to make the equations work OR admit that neither Newton or Einstein had it completely correct.

We know which path they took. The proposal of grand ideas and a new variable to the equation.

[heavyrocklegend]

Do you understand what I said? I never mentioned studying images, I said studying gravitational lessening and cosmological expansion rates: that includes measuring various waves on the EMS and gauging red and blue shift as well as gravitational movement on the apparent field and recording trajectory and differing positions.

Are you really suggesting that this is all made up for "grand ideas", is it so hard to accept the universe is majestically complex? Or is science a waste of time?

[chrisose]

@heavyrocklegend

The EMS radiation reaching earth's orbit can not be certified with any measure of confidence to have traveled inter-galactic distances from a single source without corruption.

Any spectral analysis can be corrupted by anything that interferes with the optical path. This includes humidity, dust and the list goes on. Since it can not be verified that there is no interference in the optical path from extra solar objects, the data can not be considered reliable.

[chrisose]

@heavyrocklegend

I am saying the scientist have a propensity to overlook the obvious in preference to the elaborate.

Science is NOT a waste of time but it must be based on solid data not that which is made to fit a hypothesis.

[chrisofnottingham]

@chrisose "Science...must be based on solid data not that which is made to fit a hypothesis."

You are very keen on Dark Matter being a case of this happening. But in fact it came out of the data.

QM and Relativity are both fantastically well backed up by data. But some types of observation give data that defies all explanation. The simplest answer (something you are keen on) is Dark Matter. Relativity might be wrong but no one has found a fault big enough yet, despite looking quite hard.

[chrisose]

@chrisofnottingham

Dark Matter is a fix to try and make Relativity work on the galactic scale.

Just as the margin of error becomes too great to use Newtonian physics for extra-planetary objects, Einstein's theories become unpredictable on a scale larger than a solar system.

Dark matter is just a big roll of duct tape being used to to make the data and the formula stick together.

[chrisofnottingham]

@chrisose

Not really. It's just about galaxies weighing too much.

But as you admit, the ideas are being driven by the data and everyone is quite keen to keep things as simple as possible.

Dark Energy is more of a problem for Relativity and there I think that many people are expecting to resurrect Einstein's 'biggest mistake' term in some form and tweak General Relativity a bit.

I really can't see your problem with this. What better ways of working do you have?

[chrisose]

@chrisofnottingham

The only reason why they think there is missing mass is because the motion does not conform to Einstein's formulas.

Better ways:

How about actually having an understanding of what gravity is, not just how objects behave under it's influence. A true understanding of gravity will resolve the differences in data we see across the entire spectrum, quantum to molecular to terrestrial to solar to galactic to universe.

Without understanding gravity we understand nothing.

[chrisofnottingham]

Actually I think the rotational motion mismatch is derived from boring old Newton. The acceleration away is suggested to be Dark Energy, not Dark Matter.

Its all very well to say we need an understanding of gravity, no one would disagree. But investigating dark energy, using the LHC and all the various detectors for gravity waves around the world are already happening. What exactly should we be doing extra?

[yuna238]

@heavy Dark matter does exist. Physics is currently on the way to solving the dark matter.

Our whole Universe before the big bang all consists of dark matter. Before big bang, the "singularity" which was a giant mass that exploded all contain dark matter.

The reasons scientist explain already that dark matter exist but cannot be found is because the totality of existence is preventing humans from finding it.

Nature plays by its own rule.

[heavyrocklegend]

If you read your debate and actually knew something on the topic, i think you will find that what you have said is elementary and goes without saying, please gather knowledge about the subject of dark matter before posting a stupid ostensible "smart statement" because quite frankly you've just made yourself look like a fool.

[yuna238]

@heavyrock.

Sure, my statements are elementary. To most people it would be non-elementary as not many in the world knows much about dark matter.

Look at your own comments. You continously to argue about dark matter but you can't really prove anything either. You tried to look smart as well, but in fact you arent.

All these things you talk about dark matter can easily be obtain by watching discovery channel and researching them in books.

[yuna238]

What you talk about is also elementary which were explained in entire series of discovery channel on the universe.

Commenting about me being smart statements is as much as saying the same thing to yourself.

Ignorance is one's greatest enemy.

[chrisose]

@yuna238

Sounds more like an religious argument than one of science.

[yuna238]

@chrisose

which one is religious??? Im not sure what you are referring to.

[chrisose]

@yuna238

Your Statement:

"The reasons scientist explain already that dark matter exist but cannot be found is because the totality of existence is preventing humans from finding it. "

Same argument that the religious make when asked for evidence of 'god'.

[yuna238]

@chrisose

Oh you mean that one. Thats not true, not similar to religion. Religion about god cannot be explained. Everytime you ask a religious person about god, they cant give you a decent answer.

However, everytime you ask a scientist where does this universe coem from, they can always answer you about big bang (observed and true) and higgs boson.

A lot of things we know about the universe is based on observation from outer stars.

[chrisose]

@yuna238

At best the 'Big Bang' is just a hypothesis because we can not prove it occurred.

Yes, I know, the scientist say the they can 'hear' the echo of the big bang in microwave radiation but let's face it, the scientist who say that are not looking for any other explanation for that radiation either.

[yuna238]

@chrisose

some of the things you say is contradictory. If cosmology and astrology is unverifiable how are we able to determine some of the planets beyond this galaxy exist?? We never travelled there in person. We rely on technology.

Big Bang isnt just a hypothesis anymore. Its an actual fact. Observatories have been studying planets within and outside our own galaxies and have many recorded data of supernovas. Supernova is similar to big bang, just big bang is bigger.

[WiseOwlOfGallifrey]

They can only see so far. Beyond what they can see using any extent of technology is still hypothetical, a proven point can not be made from this.

[janus70]

No, it isn't a fact. It's a theory. There's a pretty massive difference between the two.

[omega4104]

Then why is it called the Big Bang THEORY

[ZarabethS179]

@omega4104

General relativity is also a theory. I wonder why people don't make a big fuss trying proving Einstein wrong.

And what does the big bang have to do with bees?

[omega4104]

@ZarabethS179 It's not that I'm trying to prove the Big Bang wrong, I believe it to be the thing that created us all. But someone was trying to say that it is a fact that it happened, which is simply impossible to say.

[yuna238]

@chrisose

Planet/star creation does exist from supernovas (depends on the magnetic field after the explosion) like how black holes appear after some stars death.

[chrisose]

@yuna238

Since we have only been collecting data for, at best, a couple thousand years we have yet to be able to document the actually creation of planets in the aftermath of a supernova. We have also not been witness to the formation of a black hole, which is still just a hypothesis and before you say it, a dark spot in the sky is not proof.

[TornLoveNotes]

@chrisose

Right, just a couple of things that've been bugging me about your comments

1. Canis Major is a constellation, there is no 1 distance from earth to measure it by. And if you meant Sirius (the brightest star in CM) then that is only around 8.6LY away.

2. By observing a number of separate but similar events at different stages of development, we CAN effectively witness them.

3. There is enough evidence to suggest that Black Holes, or something that has a similar effect to them, exist.

[yuna238]

@chrisose

Some of the principles have been concluded. Even though you said it sound like god theory (i understand where that comes from) but its entirely different. Science always have backup support and there is a concensus in the community about science.

Why is science trusted over religion?? Science makes hypothesis and actually test to obtain results.

Religion are mostly of talk. Religious believers are most of the time talk bullshit.

[chrisose]

@yuna238

Cosmology and Astrophysics are unverifiable sciences. Until we either communicate with intelligent life from another universe or travel outside of our solar system we can not verify the suppositions made by either of these groups.

[yuna238]

@heavy

Dark matter is the same thing as the Higgs Boson particle in the Large Hadron Collider.

Nature is preventing humans from creating or finding the particle that created life and existence.

[chrisose]

Once again Alan, in his extraordinary way, nails the essence of the subject.

Sometimes science ignores the simplest answers in order propose grand ideas.

[heavyrocklegend]

Dont be ridiculous, Science is unique in the fact that it bases itself on evidence and is a tool to discover the universe around us. It is not for trying to 'mystify the common person into an intellectual submission', dont be under the impression that scientists do their work to feel more required in their society and they certainly dont impose the incorrect view.

I defy you to give me one example (with supplemented evidence) that backs up your bullshit statement.

[chrisose]

@heavyrocklegend

The theory of dark matter, put forward by Zwicky in 1934 to compensate for the 'missing mass' of the universe. In order to claim that there is 'missing mass' you must first know what the mass should be.

Check List:

Current mass of the universe: Unknown

Total mass contained in the hypothetical Big Bang: Unknown

Equation for finding dark matter: Unknown volume minus unknown volume equals unknown result.

Dark matter is a solution to a non-existent problem.

[heavyrocklegend]

Missing mass of each galaxy can be confermed by studying gravitational lessening and cosmological expansion rates then project the quantity DM needed to fill non lumous matter.

The dark matter theory is far from a "non existent problem" and it is, only a theory. No credible scientist will broadcast it as solid fact, as the origins of the universe are still unknown, you cannot quantify it as Quantum and Astro physics both contradict each other, therefore not supplying sufficient evidence.

[chrisose]

@heavyrocklegend

The Theoretical Physicists and Cosmologist have no more ability to know the mass of any visible galaxy then you would to know the true mass of a shipping container viewed from 100 meters. Is the container empty or is it full of lead or does it contain the worlds largest meringue. It is impossible to say without actual contact.

Now unless I missed the news story, no human has yet made it past our moon much less to another solar system or galaxy to make any such measurements.

[chrisose]

@heavyrocklegend

To continue:

Confirming the mass of a galaxy from the available information (pictures) would be the equivalent of determining the traffic conditions in New York from one of the pictures of Earth taken during the moon landings.

Dark matter is the cosmological equivalent to 'god', the thing that makes everything work but can not be proven to exist.

[mrmarriottsgirl]

To me, NO comedian on Earth is as clever, funny, genuine & unique as Eddie Izzard - hands down case closed! but I must say FRY & DAVIES are just GLORIOUS together!! This short clip proves it! btw what's up w/you Brits,? Embarrasing enough to note that you have ALWAYS HAD THE BEST ROCK MUSICIANS, & THE BEST TV but you've also nicked the market on comedy, love FRY & DAVIES together & LOVE Q!! I've lived on the worng side of the pond far too long! HA! Cheers!

[topas82]

I think that Stephen got owned and is a bit crossed about it when Alan makes his point

[simplic10]

Just an addendum to this: light from a particular point in the sky has a polarization that depends on its position with respect to the sun. And bees can see polarization, so they can use this to navigate. Also, they may be able to see the sun on cloudy days because they're also lucky enough to see UV light. How they do it at night, I have no idea. Maybe some small amount of reflected sunlight from the sky?

[Chariset]

I'm starting to fall for Alan Davies. Should I be worried?

[borderlinecelebrity]

If you need to be worried, then so do I.

[sugacilic]

me too

[arrghgarry]

IF YOU ARE MALE yes IF YOU ARE FEMALE yes

[Chariset]

If I'm neither I'm okay??

[arrghgarry]

if you are niether I want to meet

[TwistedxxTransistor]

@Chariset Haha, not at all. If you're worried then I'll have to worry!

[Jibbaribba]

depends. if you are a guy, no. if you are a girl, yes

[CGwonder]

@Chariset, It happens to the best of us.

[shaabangles]

@Chariset Not at all. It's like the attraction towards James May. You don't know why it's there but it is. xD

[Colettalouise]

@shaabangles hahaah that is so bloody true

[republicofheaven]

@shaabangles Haha, so true! Nick Clegg is in this group too!

[shaabangles]

@republicofheaven Of COURSE he is! Why do you think David Cameron wanted that coalition? He's just too irresistible.

[lilleahhere05]

@Chariset not even a little :))

[Aylviana]

@Chariset not in the slightest ;)

[Pippin1988]

@Chariset No, he's adorable ^__^

[Terrystearsatlfc]

@Chariset So?? I love Jo Brand :D

[CelluloidGrrl]

@Chariset I'd happily do bad things to that man.

[ryokomos]

@Chariset Oh gosh no, I fell for him in Jonathan Creek ^_^

[adamlyons87]

Go Alan!

[katerush]

i bet ya, all the foraging bees are male. there`s no way a female bee could interpret those angles. never mind the directions, and what if he is prone to a little bit too much nectar, and does the dance. no she probably stays at home and tidiies up, or does her fur or something.

[katerush]

then again, they may just remember where they live.

[katerush]

bees use a number of methods to locate, remember and transmit the location of food.they use cognitve maps by way of the sun and landmarks to remember locations. they use a waggle or round dance to transmit distance and other info to each other, they also use odours to identify type of food. quite intelligent little creatures.

[4ndr4kn0wz]

Haha, I think Alan won that one!

[TolpuddleMartyr]

One of the things I love about Stephen is, even though his tongue can be razor-sharp, he's vey gracious in defeat. When someone gets the better of him, he just smiles and lets them bask in their victory.

[PrincessAmy777]

Ah, Alan :)

[ferdelance618]

HAHA great!

[CarsonBeckettFan]

Thank you so much. ;)

[loserfreak92]

Woah, Amazing quality. Thanks.