Naked Science Forum
General Science => General Science => Topic started by: ConfusedHermit on 21/07/2012 23:40:33
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What are the things that humans (homo sapiens or any of our ancestors) ARE the first to do/have certain things on this planet? For example, we aren’t the first to build homes, nor ones designed for ideal temperature, OR to be water proof.
And with this in mind, are there any animals that have learned from us like we have learned from nature? This fascinates me :{o~
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Tools, House or nest building, Farming, and perhaps even Herding can all be found in other species. However, humans have taken it all to an extreme that no other species has.
The nervous system of all animals is based on ions and electricity. Some animals such as certain eels can actually generate and utilize energy. And, of course, there is lightening. However, humans are the only species that builds electronics.
Perhaps one thing that is uniquely human is the harnessing of fire. Perhaps some plants benefit from forest fires, to the point of creating an environment that encourages fires. And, in certain conditions, bacteria can spontaneously combust. But, humans may be the only species that intentionally starts fires.
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Makes sense.
So, is there no evidence on non-human life being inspired by the nature of humans? The only examples I can think of are bugs that become more resistant to our pesticides. And maybe apes we educate how to operate various technology... :{o~
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Learned from us: I heard about some chimpanzees that have worked out how to spot and disassemble human-made snares in the forest.
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One certainly can't discount man's mathematical, scientific, and engineering developments.
Humans would be the only species ever to develop smelting (do fish count?)
Fruitflies, Monkeys, dogs, and mice (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animals_in_space) might have made it into space before humans. However, Humans were the first species to ever step foot on the moon.
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Whoa! Fish? Smelting?
*looks it up*
Oh... A smelt... It's a type of fish... :{o~
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how about musical instruments? Does any other animal use another object to emit sound in any kind of meaningful/ intentional manner? I suppose a chimp might pick up a harmonica or other instrument and blow into if he saw a person do it, but would he start playing around with it for fun; could he learn a song?
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Good point about musical instruments.
Certainly birds are very vocal. And, some birds such as parrots are very good at imitating sounds that they hear. I would assume that at least some mating rituals would be considered music.
Whales, of course, are also very vocal, although one is never quite sure whether it is speech, music, sonar, or something else.
As far as creating instruments though, perhaps you are right. One might find animals spontaneously using some kind of drumsticks (or using their own body parts to make sound). But, I'm doubtful of seeing more, but one is often surprised. Would insects intentionally build nests designed to amplify noise?
Woodpeckers use sound to locate bugs... But, I don't know if they would peck just for enjoyment.
BTW:
Here is a question I asked earlier about animal agriculture... which turned out to be quite surprising.
http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=39878.0
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Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to.
— Mark Twain (http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/12840-man-is-the-only-animal-that-blushes-or-needs-to)
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I don't believe I ever heard of a non-human organism systematically study the universe or bow down before a revered object.
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Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to.
— Mark Twain (http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/12840-man-is-the-only-animal-that-blushes-or-needs-to)
Oh I dunno - anyone who has owned a Retriever or Labrador (especially from a puppy) will have come into a room to see a dog that is exceeding shame-faced and embarrassed; it they could blush they definitely would "what me? no I haven't done anything. no don't look over there...."