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Jeff Blackman

How the Freaky Octopus Can Help us Understand the Human Brain - Wired Science - 4 views

www.wired.com/...-us-understand-the-human-brain

octopus intelligence animals brain neuroscience

shared by Jeff Blackman on 21 Nov 13 - No Cached
    • Jeff Blackman
      Jeff Blackman on 21 Nov 13
       
      I swear, I have worked with people with this level of intelligence!
    • Jeff Blackman
      Jeff Blackman on 21 Nov 13
       
      I swear, I've worked with people at this level of intelligence!!  :-)
  • If you want to study an alien intelligence, Godfrey-Smith says, “octopuses are the closest thing we have.”
    • Jeff Blackman
      Jeff Blackman on 21 Nov 13
       
      Maybe octopi ARE aliens!  Seriously, though, it is interesting how far away they are from other "intelligent" animals as far as anatomy yet, are able to do some pretty amazing things.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • Octopuses in the wild may be using tools—a feat that, not so long ago, was considered the exclusive domain of humans (though now we know it’s the province of other species too, like dolphins and some birds).
  • But somehow octopuses do things that suggest they’re brainier than plenty of animals with backbones and more familiar nervous systems.
  • Jeff Blackman on 21 Nov 13
     
    We have all heard stories about someone's really "smart" dog or cat who can do these "amazing" things. But the lowly octopus gets virtually ignored. What are some other animals you think are smarter than we give them credit for? Have you observed something amazing from an animal you wouldn't have expected it from? (It's ok if it was just you in the woods alone. We won't think you're crazy or anything!) :-)
  • ...7 more comments...
  • Jeff Blackman on 21 Nov 13
     
    Link to annotations: https://diigo.com/01bzzm
  • Katy Lu on 21 Nov 13
     
    So this is what you meant, Jeff? "Rocky the Octopus predicts Super Bowl 46 winner" http://youtu.be/XCxFiWLUtfo
  • Jeff Blackman on 21 Nov 13
     
    LOL Exactly!! :-)
  • Jackie Byford on 23 Nov 13
     
    Very interesting! Could it be that because the octopus is something that is not easy to study in nature because they are smart enough to evade? Makes you wonder if this is why we never see "Bigfoot" or "Nessy." No really, how could we not believe that there are animals or other beings out "there" that are more intelligent or at the least intelligent in different ways? I bet if you talked to anybody who worked in a lab with animals you would hear stories of behavior that would not be typical of that particular animal. Why? Because the animal is not in its natural environment. No matter how big or small a brain is, it will adapt to the situation it finds itself in. This happens everyday when stray animals of all types are abandoned in areas that are not their natural habitats such as "domestic" snakes in Florida in the 80's and 90's. Now, what does Florida have? A BIG snake problem, because although I would think the snake would not have much of a brain they learn to survive in areas that get colder than they are accustomed too by surviving.
  • Jaime Villanueva on 25 Nov 13
     
    The ocean is by far the most unexplored area on earth. It covers about seventy percent of the earth's surface that is vital to our planets survival. It regulates the earth's temperature and supports living organisms like the octopus. I read an article a few years ago that 90 percent of the ocean still to this day remains unexplored. I cannot believe with the advancement of technology 90 percent of the ocean is still unexplored. If you think about it the ocean is a big museum that can provide us with many answers to most of our questions.
  • Jeff Blackman on 27 Nov 13
     
    Yes, Jackie, it is really amazing how animals are able to adapt. Humans so often think we can control these things but it's not so simple. Jaime, it does make you wonder what else is under there that we don't even have any idea about. Could be very exciting...or scary! (Pacific Rim, anyone?)
  • Adam Hovde on 02 Dec 13
     
    I is fascinating how animals can adapted to their environments. The oceans are filled with animals that act like and hunt like land animals. They have to find their niche to live or perish. Darwin's studies on this have always amazed me. Maybe we can find an animal in the ocean as smart as us.
  • Maria Austin on 02 Dec 13
     
    This kind of research makes you think if we need to redefine the concept of intelligence and problem solving skills. As Adam said, we may find out that there are animals that are just as smart as us!
  • shaila a on 07 Dec 13
     
    Thank you so much for sharing such an interesting article with 'sassy' octopus stories. I agree that we need to start thinking outside of the box and try studying intelligence in a new light. PS: I knew that octopuses are smart but I guess they are smarter than I thought they were...
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