6 years ago
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Octopus research shows that consciousness isn’t what makes humans special
Whether or not octopuses should be viewed as charming or terrifying very much depends on your personal perspective. But it’s hard to deny their intelligence. Octopuses can squirt water at an annoyingly bright bulb until it short-circuits. They can tell humans apart (even those who are wearing the same uniform). And, according to Peter Godfrey-Smith, a philosophy professor at University of Sydney and City University of New York, they are the closest creature to an alien here on earth.
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The two videos are a must see!
I found the second video very relaxing.
I wish there was decent resolution security footage of the octobandit taking out that light source by squirting water on it!
This is a very nice article (and videos). Thanks for posting!
As to what makes humans special, I think it's clear that consciousness is not it. I'd say our special traits are our limitless greed and capacity for evil.
I think at some point during evolution extreme selfishness and disregard for the gratuitous suffering of other beings became the dominant traits, but evolution doesn't care about us, and it operates at all time scales. We are the dominant species now, but the traits that got us here are also the ones that will destroy us.
I agree with you 100%. I think a world with bonobos in charge would be much better,but we will kill all them,and everything else,except for say cockroaches.