Can Apes Outthink Humans?
SodaHead News
2012/06/25 13:00:00
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According to The Associated Press, scientists have discovered that the DNA of a bonobo ape is only about 1.3 percent different from humans. And ape behavior continues to astonish scientists as they demonstrate thinking processes and capabilities we never thought possible. For instance, one study showed bonobos will "pack" the tools they need to access food if they're moving to a remote location for the night, and remember to take them with the next day.
Another study showed that if one chimpanzee can see a piece of food and another cannot, the chimp that can see the food is able to recognize this advantage and keep the food hidden -- in other words, chimps are able to put themselves in another's shoes. Another study tried to determine how many pictures baboons could memorize over the course of three years, and by the end of the study, they could remember the pictures better than the scientists testing them.
Emory University primatologist Frans de Waal told AP, "Capacities that we think in humans are very special and complex are probably not so special and not so complex. This research in animals elevates the animals, but it also brings down the humans... If monkeys can do it and maybe dogs and other animals, maybe it's not as complex as you think." Do you think apes have the brainpower to outthink humans?
Another study showed that if one chimpanzee can see a piece of food and another cannot, the chimp that can see the food is able to recognize this advantage and keep the food hidden -- in other words, chimps are able to put themselves in another's shoes. Another study tried to determine how many pictures baboons could memorize over the course of three years, and by the end of the study, they could remember the pictures better than the scientists testing them.
Emory University primatologist Frans de Waal told AP, "Capacities that we think in humans are very special and complex are probably not so special and not so complex. This research in animals elevates the animals, but it also brings down the humans... If monkeys can do it and maybe dogs and other animals, maybe it's not as complex as you think." Do you think apes have the brainpower to outthink humans?
Top Opinion
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irish -liberty or death! 2012/06/25 17:32:11
It's happened in the past.
Oh, and for simplicity any more question dodging, or the like will be considered an admission of fault.
And incase you're incapable of scrolling up, the question was/is:
"why are you so opposed to the idea of other animals competing with us intellectually?"
Seeing as you obviously have no defense/support for your viewpoint with me as the de facto victor.
(Not that winning a debate of this sort is traditionally possible, but in this instance I'm claiming victory due to a total lack of opposition.)
EDIT: Oh look, i got blocked, with Ad hominem.
I'm sorry, but I see far more religious people attempting to disprove science than the other way around. Every bible school teacher, every preacher, and every nun has taught something that goes against science...It's called creationism.
Of course archaeological digs are still funded, and many have nothing to do with the bible. (CADW. ELDVTS). Carbon dating may not be perfect however it still gives a good time frame. And the bible, in my opinion, has far many more holes and inaccuracies than evolution. You can act like since you're a "scientist" you know what you are talking about when it comes to this, but in all actuality the line of work you are in hasn't a thing to do with any of it. Let's not get started on simplistic garbage, but nice attempt to bring this conversation down to your level.
How old do you think the earth is?
What are your thoughts on dinosaurs?
Dare I ask about evolution?
And what matters to me is that so many in contemporary American society have so sharply and willfully turned towards a rejection of hard-earned scientific knowledge. It makes no sense whatsoever to deny what we've learned, and doing so threatens the positive growth of our society.
And there's nothing about acknowledging humans as animals that debases us - not unless you wildly undervalue the incredible complexity and majesty of the entire animal kingdom and life in general. Frankly, learnng what we know about our universe and everything in it has been a fascinating and exhilerating endeavor for me and most who undertake it. It's unfortunate that you would think something about it is inherently depressing.
The real reason I keep coming back to this topic is both 1) you keep replying and 2) I enjoy sharing fact-based knowledge.
What's interesting is that when someone makes accusatory assumptions about another person, those assumptions tend to be a reflection of the accuser's own state of mind or behavioral tendencies. So when you erroneously assume that I'm here because of either "1) ARROGANCE or 2) U want someone to convince you of the truth because something inside of you is searching", it really tells me a lot about you.
It makes perfect sense. This is a discussion forum. That's how it works. You write stuff and people respond. You didn't know this when you joined Sodahead?
What's REALLY strange is how some people think that acknowledging what homo sapiens are is somehow inherently degrading.