Octopus Vulgaris, the invertebrate with feelings
Recently, we've been having lectures on the brain and on animal welfare. Last year when we had lectures about animal testing we were told that you have to get licenses for using any vertebrates but the only invertebrate you need a license for is octopus vulgaris. It was only the other day that our brain lecturer told us how they found out that this octopus was smarter than the average spine-lacking creature. Apparently a group were doing experiments to see if the octopus could relate certain symbols to being shocked (seems a bit cruel to me). Well, this octopus used to go hide in a bucket in the corner of the tank whenever the lab tach came into the room; the scientists thought nothing of it as they just thought it was associating seeing people and pain. The one day the lab tech was sick so his supervisor went in to do the test wearing his normal clothes and the octopus didn't go hide; this was interesting, the octopus could recognise white coats. So the guy decided to put on a white coat and come back expecting the octopus to go hide. The octopus stayed there; further studies showed that the octopus could tell the difference between people dressed similarly and could recognise faces! This led to this species of octopus (but no other even though their brains are probably quite similar) being thought to be a bit sentient. Amazing little thing. Still, some people aren't sure animals can actually "feel" pain and think it's an automated response which seems a bit silly but a good way to justify doing a lot of things.
Went to see Juno tonight as
shula_tiger got some free tickets. It was really good I thought; had the girl who played Kitty in X-men and George-Michael from Arrested Development. Right now I'm watching Torchwood for the first time; it's a bit odd and I'm not impressed so far. Reaper next, new comedy directed by Kevin Smith. Should really get to work, was just really interested in my tentacled buddy.