Nonhuman people

Posted on 02/02/2019 by Dr Bob Rich

I have come across two bits of evidence for my hobbyhorse concerning the intelligence of other animals.

You will enjoy this delightful essay by Yami Heimbruch about learning the language of songbirds.

Sure, those little feathered people have birdbrains, but they are also complex, intelligent beings when allowed to do their thing in their own world. You and I would probably do terribly on an IQ test designed by a lark or a robin.

But at least, if we take the time, we can learn their language.

Second is this another essay by Joel Boyce, about genuine tool use demonstrated by a wide variety of animals including dolphins, octopuses, otters and monkeys.

About Dr Bob Rich

I am a professional grandfather. My main motivation is to transform society to create a sustainable world in which my grandchildren and their grandchildren in perpetuity can have a life, and a life worth living. This means reversing environmental idiocy that's now threatening us with extinction, and replacing culture of greed and conflict with one of compassion and cooperation.
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2 Responses to Nonhuman people

  1. Dr Bob Rich says:
    02/02/2019 at 6:19 pm

    Yes, thanks for reminding me, Sally. Of course, we should classify certain homo stupidens as not being human.
    🙂

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  2. Sally Ember, Ed.D. says:
    02/02/2019 at 4:34 pm

    New Zealand, India and a few other countries have enacted laws that protect certain animals (aquatic and land mammals, mostly, so far) as “non-human persons,” granting them political rights as well!

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