Rough Doublings of Rate of Progress in Natural History

[jordan179]

I was thinking about the longevity of life on Earth, and I saw this interesting pattern. All the dates are very approximate, and I'm aware that my rounding may be creating a pattern where none really exists. Anyway, roughly

Comments

[kalance]

I recall at some point that researchers would use a "mirror test" on certain animals. If the creature indicated that it knew it was looking at itself, then it was probable evidence of sentience. For example, a gorilla might use the mirror to help find and pick leaves out of its fur, so it knows it's looking at itself. Meanwhile, a chicken will attack the reflection until it kills itself. It obviously doesn't know it's looking at itself.

Conclusion: Coco is sentient, chickens are not.

Mammals in general seem to demonstrate higher levels of intelligence. Many can be trained, and most demonstrate the capacity to learn in some fashion or another. Even finches use spears to hunt food. One need wonder how far humanity really would have gone if we lacked the ability to wield tools, ie. thumbs. Having thoughts is one thing, the ability to follow through, another. My dogs know that to open a door, you need to turn the knob, they just have trouble performing the actual act when it isn't a handle(or pulling at the same time if it opens in).

*I often wonder how differently things would have been designed if it were canines that first mastered tool use and smelting.*