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I wasn't sure what phrasing to use (and I definitely didn't like the simple term "intelligent species"). I kind of agree with you, but I think it's a little sil
by jere 13y ago
I wasn't sure what phrasing to use (and I definitely didn't like the simple term "intelligent species"). I kind of agree with you, but I think it's a little silly to say only our technology distinguishes us. I'm reminded of Anathem here: even if we all lived like monks shunning technology, we'd still be set apart by our mathematic, scientific, and philosophical reasoning.
- maxerickson 13y agoThe monks in Anathem are technologists that shun distraction.
- jere 13y agoIt's been a while since I read the book, but I don't believe that is an accurate description: >The law of the Second New Revised Book of Discipline that governs the lives of the avout at the time of the narration... bans the avout from owning anything but two pieces of clothing and a sphere with multiple uses, and bans them from using or even knowing how to use any technology but paper and pen http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anathem http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anathem Unless you want to argue about whether those limited items are worth calling technology, at which time I will have to point out that we are not the only species to use tools.
- maxerickson 13y agoIt's also been a while since I read the book, but my recollection is that I viewed those rules as the set of preconditions that were settled on to allow them to continue to have monasteries.
- protonfish 13y agoWithout the ability to communicate or observe a physical technology, how do we measure the level of reasoning in an intelligent being?
- jere 13y agoWell, I'd say let's give communication a chance. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_ape_language http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_ape_language