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There are many other species here on earth that have intelligence (problem solving skills, tool use) and culture (locally shared behaviors, dialects). Some may
by nequo 3y ago
There are many other species here on earth that have intelligence (problem solving skills, tool use) and culture (locally shared behaviors, dialects).
Some may be more intelligent than us but less able to put it to the domination of their environment. Orcas and sperm whales for example have brain sizes that outrank us by several kilograms, and brain-to-body-size ratios that are comparable to ours. Neanderthals themselves had larger brains than us too. Crows have smaller brains but have problem solving skills on par with 7-year-old humans.
We are far from being the only complex thing on this planet.
- steve_adams_86 3y agoI agree completely. I initially wrote that with a frame of “epitome of intelligence as we define/know it”, but felt that nuance wouldn’t sit well with most people or even register. Humans are extremely anthropocentric in their understanding of intelligence. A lot of my comments on HN actually pertain to this; I think animals are far more capable, competent, and intelligent than we give credit. I see a sort of irony in that we’re often not intelligent enough to recognize intelligence in others, even within our own species. But thanks for adding that. It’s a really important thing to consider. It actually feeds into the “smallness”, as well.