3 ms·
it's interesting how the constraint of being in water limits inhabitants from developing technologies like fire and throwing projectiles for hunting. octopuses
by rojobuffalo 4y ago
it's interesting how the constraint of being in water limits inhabitants from developing technologies like fire and throwing projectiles for hunting. octopuses seem like they have the physiology and neurology to figure out projectiles and even grinding a sharp point, but that strategy wouldn't give them the same boost it did early humans because of the drag of water. construction and engineering is also made difficult by tides and erosion so they don't take it much farther than piling up some shells and rocks for a little sleep spot.
- colechristensen 4y agoOctopus species just don’t live long enough to develop much intelligence or culture. Most of them only live a year and die after reproducing.
- intrasight 4y agoSome live to five years. Long enough to get clever.
- stevenwoo 4y agoSince the mother dies at hatching of the eggs, there can be no culture where knowledge is transferred. There would need to be some evolutionary change where the mother does not die at that point or the father does not die after insemination. They still can be very intelligent but they have to learn everything in their short lifespan that is not instinctual. The species also has a tool that humans do not possess - extensive RNA editing to adapt. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-017-00612-y https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-017-00612-y
- intrasight 4y agoIt's interesting then to contemplate what kind of society we would have if we had developed our level of sentience but done so under water. Anybody know of any good sci-fi that explores that?
- dolphinboiiii 4y agoYou don't need sci-fi. Go to the ocean and look at some Dolphins or Orcas and you'll see it in real life.