Raven About Intelligence

[vgnwtch]

Clever raven proves that it's no birdbrain

Logic and puzzle-solving come naturally to highly intelligent scavenger, claim biologists

by Robin McKie, science editor
Sunday April 29, 2007
The Observer

Scientists have revealed an

Comments

[vgnwtch]

I find it exceptionally useful.

On the one hand, it is true that priorities are deeply skewed away from the practical and compassionate - there are so many examples of how our systems of thinking and being in the world are screwed up that we could spend forever listing them.

On the other hand, studies like this are dismantling that system of thought from the inside. Publishing these studies, and making them available to the public allows people like us to say, "Yep. This is what mainstream science says." Opponents may argue with mythology and tradition, with folklore, with the evidence of their very own eyes and ears - but when people who feel that they are rational and "modern" in their attitudes are faced with peer reviewed studies by respected mainstream scientists published in respected journals, and when those studies mount and mount and mount, they face either making fools of themselves by claiming to know better, or they are forced to admit that the world is not divided into Us and Them, Smart Humans and Dumb Animals, the Valuable and the Disposable.

I am also a fan of empirical evidence, though not keen to fetishise it. I adore mythology and folklore, and keep it close to my heart; I do know, though, that there are layers and kinds of truth, and that empirical evidence is a very useful thing.

I'm entirely with you on the littering - it's a habit I utterly despise, and is indicative, I believe, of a general lack of pride in the self and connection with the wider community and environment.

[willfishguy]

Call me dull, but I only understand the last sentence.