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"The superior cognitive capabilities of the human brain over the elephant brain ..." Are we sure our cognitive capabilities are superior? How do we know we've
by circlefavshape 9y ago
"The superior cognitive capabilities of the human brain over the elephant brain ..."
Are we sure our cognitive capabilities are superior? How do we know we've been doing meaningful experiments?
- viach 9y agoCoz there are no elephants posting on HN?
- MacsHeadroom 9y agoThat could have more to do with our versatile anatomy than a difference in cognitive capabilities.
- ccozan 9y agoBut that is exactly the point: the brain draws its cognitive power from the number of inputs and not from mass. Just think of the human hand or the mimicry we can express and how many muscles and associated sensoric feeds our brain continuously. Mass is relevant, but up to a certain degree.
- k__ 9y agoAren't these interchangeable? I mean, yes you got hands and fingers, but they work because they have nerves in them and those are basically extensions of the brain.
- LeifCarrotson 9y agoTrue, though I feel compelled to post the standard rebuttal: > "On the planet Earth, man had always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much - the wheel, New York, wars and so on - whilst all the dolphins had ever done was muck about in the water having a good time. But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man - for precisely the same reasons."
- colefichter 9y ago"On the internet, nobody knows you're a dog." ;)
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]
- RcouF1uZ4gsC 9y agoCognitive ability also has implications for adaptability. Elephants don't seem to be able to adapt to deal with human poachers very well, and as a result are in danger of extinction.