Military enthusiasts take part in a re-enactment of the World War II battle of Stalingrad at the “Stalin Line” memorial, near the village of Goroshki, Belarus, February 27, 2016. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)

Once upon a time a myth was born that insects, unlike animals, are just a machines that not capable of learning and survive only based on their instincts. That myth has become the widespread opinion. Of course, this opinion is indeed erroneous, like many other widespread opinions. Let us try to find out which part is a myth and which part is true.

Heavy monsoon rains cause floods in several parts of Kolkata, West Bengal, India on June 17, 2021. (Photo by Sumit Sanyal/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Short answer: no.

I know, this answer was a little too short, so let me explain in a little more detail.

Imagine tossing a coin. Normally, any normal coin toss has two possible outcomes - heads or tails - with each one having a 50% chance of happening. Ideally, that is, because factors like the force of your finger tossing the coin, gravity, the wind, the moon phase and a passing TARDIS can all influence the outcome of the toss - but I have deviated from the subject.

A rider on horseback competes in the Margalla Festival Tent Pegging Championship in Islamabad, Pakistan, June 5, 2016. Tent pegging is an equestrian sport popular in India and Pakistan, with a history going back to the cavalries of ancient armies. (Photo by Caren Firouz/Reuters)

No. 10: Sphynx. A suede-like coat is the sphynx's most unmistakable feature, but he's also curious, smart and a clown who craves applause for his antics. In fact, he loves attention so much that you may want to consider getting him a fellow sphynx playmate. (Photo by Quentin Descotte)

Hedi Xandt imagines impressive sculptures. Mixing styles and materials with talent, the artist invites us to discover his dark and intense universe.

“MS Herald of Free Enterprise was a roll-on roll-off (RORO) car and passenger ferry owned by Townsend Thoresen. She was one of three ships commissioned by the company to operate on the Dover–Calais route across the English Channel. The ferry capsized on the night of 6 March 1987, moments after leaving the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, killing 193 passengers and crew. This was the deadliest maritime disaster involving a British ship in peacetime since the sinking of the Iolaire in 1919”. – Wikipedia

Photo: The wreck of the Herald of Free Enterprise, which capsized near Zeebrugge on the 6th of March 1987. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). 1987