this post was submitted on 30 Jun 2024
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[–] [email protected] 27 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (3 children)

they obviously have emotions, just a bit less complex ones, but it's pretty clear they're not just robots

[–] [email protected] 32 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Just because we understand their emotions only on a basic level doesn’t mean they’re not more complicated.

There is a lot we don’t understand and can’t understand.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 5 months ago (2 children)

their brains are a lot smaller though, so less complex

[–] [email protected] 28 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (3 children)

If size is what matters, then whales, elephants, and dolphins all have more complex brains than humans.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 5 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Their neurons are bigger tho. The odd case are bird brains; they work a bit different than mammalian but are as smart as ravens in a small package, while human neurons are as small as physically can be.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 5 months ago

Elephants are the smartest land animals on earth and the complexity of their brains is comparable to that of humans. This is also clearly reflected in their behaviour. They are able to communicate with body language within their own species and even with humans, and a recent study has shown they even give each other names.

Dolphins and whales are also pretty smart, so yes, size is a big part of what matters.

[–] prettybunnys 5 points 5 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago

So you're saying my 10 lb jack russell has less complex brain than a Labrador Retriever?

[–] [email protected] 16 points 5 months ago (3 children)

How do you know cats don't experience sonder? Did you ask one? No, you just assumed

[–] [email protected] 16 points 5 months ago (2 children)

Two monks were passing by a little pond where there were some ducks, and the first monk said, "Look at how happy those ducks are!"

The second monk said, "You are not a duck. You can't know if they are happy."

The first monk replied, "You are not me. You can't know that I cannot."

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

The takeaway from this is that half of all monks may or may not have duck telepathy, yes?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

It's a zen parable, so... yes.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

Hidden gem. Thanks!

[–] [email protected] 6 points 5 months ago

I've asked my cats loads of questions. Not one has given a comprehensive answer.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago (2 children)
[–] [email protected] 15 points 5 months ago

Sonder is the inverse of this:

[–] NobodyElse 2 points 5 months ago

Had to look that up too. My immediate reaction was wondering if Thalasin works for them too?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Td2x8s9GZlo

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Insects on the other hand are pretty much nature's robots.

[–] WolfLink 8 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Bees have been known to engage in play

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I figured some of the larger species have some basic emotions. My preying mantis could certainly let me know if she was irritated, though I never really saw a "happy" as much as "content."

My tarantula and I never managed to talk to one another.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago (3 children)

I don't understand non-mammalian pets

Why have a tarantula that you just look at, instead of a Golden retriever to goof off with?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Por que no los dos?

The golden retriever was named Tahereh.

I also had mice, gerbils, guinea pigs, and cats. Parents had a nice farm.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago

I was of this opinion until I moved in with my partner who had a bearded dragon. Reptiles move strangely, but this bearded dragon had been a classroom pet for the first few years of her life, and was surprisingly social. She'd make eye contact, gesture with her body, present her head to be gently pet around the bristles, and even flip over to be rubbed on the belly like a dog if she was not currently or just finished eating. Responsive with body language to some specific one or two syllable words like her name or the words for mealtime, and very aware of visual cues (like any of the objects she was handed a mealworm from, even just once).

I imagine a tarantula probably has some behaviors that would surprise me if it was conditioned as a pet and socialized, I know they have a fair number of ways aside from the bite to show displeasure or anxiety like flicking hairs and quickly shuffling away to show a defensive posture. I think it could be a fun experience and wouldn't turn my nose up at it instantly these days if the opportunity came along; animal cooperation is a small joy even when it's a bit foreign.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago

because children think weird pets are 'cool'