Aren't cats able to do that (always land on their feet) because there's something inherently unique about their spines? Surely that's gotta be hard for a human to replicate?

[–] Skua@kbin.earth 46 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

A collarbone that isn't attached to any other bones and a very flexible spine. However, while this makes them extremely good at it, the actual motions involved are, as demonstrated, manageable for a human. We're just a lot worse at it

[–] anomnom@sh.itjust.works 6 points 2 weeks ago

Yeah it takes us longer than 2 stories to do it. But when you’re falling around a planet you have plenty of time.

[–] Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works 19 points 2 weeks ago

Also tails

[–] PugJesus@piefed.social 10 points 2 weeks ago

I suspect the specific biomechanics of it change, but the general principle helps to get a starting point for figuring out human-applicable techniques. It was a very cutting-edge field at the time, after all; any advantage or pre-existing applicable work was welcome!