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Camera or eye: Which sees better? - Michael Mauser

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TEDEd Animation

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Your eyes don’t always capture the world exactly as a video camera would. But the eyes are remarkably efficient organs, the result of hundreds of millions of years of coevolution with our brains. Michael Mauser outlines the similarities and differences between your eye and a video camera.

When following the development of objects designed by humans we often see that big leaps are made using totally different approaches and materials. For example pens used to be made from feathers and were dipped into a jar of ink, then ballpoint and felt tip pens were developed. In living organisms, we see gradual change and the use of preexisting structures for new purposes but no radically new approaches. For example, the small bones in our ears originated from jaw bones, they didn't just appear magically on their own. What examples can you see of this contrast between purposeful design and evolution when you look at the development of cameras and the evolution of the eye?

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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Michael Mauser
  • Animator Nick Hilditch
  • Editor Charly Simpson
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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