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Welcome to Techsurvivors => Community => Topic started by: gunug on August 21, 2008, 01:49:02 PM

Title: Elephants are smarter than you thought!
Post by: gunug on August 21, 2008, 01:49:02 PM
Really nice video at YouTube about elephants counting:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=H2gRLCZSBEA

Don't know why it's UK YouTube but it works for me!
Title: Elephants are smarter than you thought!
Post by: Gregg on August 21, 2008, 07:51:21 PM
Astronaut preparing to sing Take Me Out To The Ball Game at Wrigley, 20 August 2008:

"Uh 3, uh 2, uh 1! ...."
Title: Elephants are smarter than you thought!
Post by: krissel on August 22, 2008, 02:59:03 AM
Not so sure they are 'counting'. Maybe just can identify the fact that the keepers arm made more motions toward the one bucket and with experience realized that meant MORE apples in general. Now if she subtracted some of the apples...

Oh, I guess I'm just being contrary... wink.gif
Title: Elephants are smarter than you thought!
Post by: gunug on August 22, 2008, 07:39:31 AM
Krissel "might" be correct; I'm remembering a "counting" horse that was trained to respond to visual clues from the trainer!
Title: Elephants are smarter than you thought!
Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 22, 2008, 09:26:10 AM
Many animals are extremely capable of noticing visual cues and relating them to satisfying experiences. These experiences can be anything from a few scratches on the head to a refreshing shower of cool water. Of course, they can also easily remember painful experiences and connect those to specific people or even people in general.

I'm not sure that makes them 'smarter' but it certainly makes it safer for them around danger and 'happier' when they enjoy the 'reward!' I'm not a supporter of the 'seven-day' creation story as fact but I also think we need to be careful about transferring our emotions or capabilities to other animals. I believe we are to have 'dominion' over these creations, not the other way around. But the meaning of 'dominion' may not be as 'authoritarian' as some would suggest.

I hope the above is not considered too 'religious' for our forums. I'll admit it could be 'theological' but it could also be simply 'philosophical.' wink.gif