We never would have even looked for a magnetic-line slope-angle sense without inventing compasses, and then also understanding the structure of the earth's magnetic field. Likewise, we only understood echolocation after we invented it; before, we had no clue any animal used it. Octopods have no sense of joint angle. Some bugs taste what they walk on.
Thinking the only interesting phenomena in the universe are ones we already know about, or know something useful to do with, is akin to the fundamental failing of TFA.
We never would have even looked for a magnetic-line slope-angle sense without inventing compasses, and then also understanding the structure of the earth's magnetic field. Likewise, we only understood echolocation after we invented it; before, we had no clue any animal used it. Octopods have no sense of joint angle. Some bugs taste what they walk on.
Thinking the only interesting phenomena in the universe are ones we already know about, or know something useful to do with, is akin to the fundamental failing of TFA.