Thoughts while watching Modern Marvels about "Animal Engineers"

[merexcursion]

It was brought up by one of the scientists who studies these things that the way birds, insects, beavers and other animals build such wonderful structures would have to be a sign of intelligence. But in fact, he says, it is purely "instinctual" knowledge. For example, if you cut a hole in the bottom of a birds nest, the bird won't repair the

Comments

[chakag]

I believe we *do* have instinctual knowledge, but b/c we have socialized each other (for centuries) to value learned knowledge over instinct (we even put down ppl who rely on their instincts and have to encourage ppl to listen to their instincts), we feel lost.

I think a lot of how one views this topic depends on the socialization one grew up with (for example, did you grow up seeing ppl use instinctual knowledge?) and who one surrounds one's self with as an adult (do you mostly socialize with drones?).

I've noticed that it's only when we "civilize" folks that instinctual knowledge gets lost, so I think it's a learned behavior to not abide by instinct.

I also think it's possible we are an alien lifeform. Of *course*, over time, our DNA would be similar to what's here b/c we've speciated. (I'm really digging my anthropology class.)

[merexcursion]

"speciated" meaning mixed with primates?

"do you mostly socialize with drones?" -whew! didn't see that one coming.

if uncivilized people's knowledge is instinctual, then why must it be passed down still generation to generation through shaman, dances, story-telling or whatever form...oh wait, that would be socializing.. so you would mean back to cave men then? so instinct is what.?..seeking shelter, learning itself even... -which is the point--we being the only animals to do this. what kind of instinctual knowledge do we have then like the bees who build amazing structures with no "overseer"

[chakag]

Speciated means we've become a separate species from whatever we started as. Species speciate (ha!) due to genetic mutations, so...I wouldn't blow off any alien theories. So many aboriginal, ancient African ideologies say we came from the stars that I believe it could be

[merexcursion]

so speciated means evolved as in evolution. yeah, I watched a show on that the other day too, heh! where the genes turn on or off -BUT, the genes are already there to begin with. -cloning, it was a disc chan show about cloning.

interesting you don't see it as "different"... It seems to glare at me so constantly how different we are from the rest of the earth and it's creatures. -so in this train of thinking (yours here), it would be more like -- the aliens came and mixed with us or helped us advance a long time ago or something like that.

remember when they traced the DNA back to the first woman who would have been black (or middle-easternish I can't remember)? that was the coolest.
I also find it fascinating that neanderthal was a different species!

[salyey_marya]

i often like to imagine us to be cave people, with certain instincts that would make us something closer to animals.

i also admire and envy the way insects and birds build their dwellings, they are so free and innocent beings with wisdom of their own. it's funny to see how modern architecture imitates their dwellings, tries desperately to create something 'natural' :)

[merexcursion]

yes! I agree. we have learned from their instincts.

I have had certain pets though, and heard stories about certain animals that makes it very hard for me to believe there isn't at times more to them than scientists "observe"...