Guess we're a little less 'unique'.. neat!
Offline http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s1473208.htm
'Scientists have taught dolphins to combine both rhythm and vocalisations to produce music, resulting in an extremely high-pitched, short version of the Batman theme song.
The findings, outlined in two studies, are the first time that nonhuman mammals have demonstrated they can recognise rhythms and reproduce them vocally.
"Humans are sensitive to rhythms embedded in sequences of sounds, but we typically consider this skill to be part of processing for language and music, cognitive domains that we consider to be uniquely human," says Professor Heidi Harley, lead author of both studies.
"Clearly, aspects of those domains are available to other species."'
"Imperious, choleric, irascible, extreme in everything, with a dissolute imagination the like of which has never been seen, atheistic to the point of fanaticism, there you have me in a nutshell.... Kill me again or take me as I am, for I shall not change.
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Who said you can't teach an old dolphin new tricks?
Where's the science?
They trained 2 dumb animals to make a sound.
'The findings, outlined in two studies, are the first time that nonhuman mammals have demonstrated they can recognise rhythms and reproduce them vocally'
This is an indicator of language development and a precursor to the communications we, as humans, use. And as the dolphin is already classified as 'proto-sentient', we can study such effects to possibly learn of our own development.
"Imperious, choleric, irascible, extreme in everything, with a dissolute imagination the like of which has never been seen, atheistic to the point of fanaticism, there you have me in a nutshell.... Kill me again or take me as I am, for I shall not change.
Language? Most animals and mammals communicate with each other, it's a language of a sort.
This article seems more intended as a precursor for animal rights.
I've never had Dolphin steak before. Are they good eating?
People who think there is something they refer to as god don't ask enough questions.
The interesting part about this article is that it shows the ability for dolphins to not differentiate between rythmic patterns but to be able to vocalize various patterns in a manner in which they choose.
Did you know that each pod of dolphins and orcas etc..have their own language? In other words, a dolphin from one pod, does won't necessarily be able to communicate with a dolphin from another pod. It seems as if language is definitely not unique. This is interesting....indeed.
Thanks for posting.
And AiiA, be nice.
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I knew about the communication structural differences between pods. And if is intruiging.
And AiiA dosen't have to be nice. I'll just respond when he actually has something worthwhile to say.
"Imperious, choleric, irascible, extreme in everything, with a dissolute imagination the like of which has never been seen, atheistic to the point of fanaticism, there you have me in a nutshell.... Kill me again or take me as I am, for I shall not change.
It's not about you.
I dont think the article is scientific.
People who think there is something they refer to as god don't ask enough questions.
I like dolphins.
When those dolphins get their shit together, I will definately consider buying their album. Rock on.
But, seriously, that was an awesome article! Really interesting. It always makes me grin when people find something cool like this. Thanks for sharin', Jesterspace!
Hey.. I have the time to scour the net when I'm waiting for calls. Not a problem. It might lead nowhere in regards to 'Science'.. but it might. And, IMNSHO, failure to investigate ANY anomaly or unexpected finding is a crime to the cause of true science.
"Imperious, choleric, irascible, extreme in everything, with a dissolute imagination the like of which has never been seen, atheistic to the point of fanaticism, there you have me in a nutshell.... Kill me again or take me as I am, for I shall not change.
It is an anomaly. A presupposed notion was that only humans had the capability to utilize sound communication in certain manners. Now there is evidence that this might not be the case. It's almost the duty of science to investigate using proper application of the scientific method. And it might lead nowhere. Or it might lead to a new understanding of how the brain processes communication. Without testing it, we'll never know. A lot of scientific investigation only proves the impossibilities (the Duke University studies of ESP as an example). But the studies DID clarify information. Science, when pigeonholed, misses potential avenues.
"Imperious, choleric, irascible, extreme in everything, with a dissolute imagination the like of which has never been seen, atheistic to the point of fanaticism, there you have me in a nutshell.... Kill me again or take me as I am, for I shall not change.
In a related study, elephants have been shown to be "self" aware, another "human-only" attribute. http://www.livescience.com/animalworld/061030_elephant_mirror.html
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He linked to an online article that highlighted some recent research. Try looking up the actual journal article if you're truly interested in specifics, it isn't difficult - and I'm glad you're interested in such details, few are.
You want science as far as dolphin cognition and "linguistics" go, start here:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=search&DB=pubmed
Enter something like "dolphin cognition" and be surprised by what you find.
This research is simply an extension of what has been known for quite some time, and it has valid implications with regard to understanding the evolution of human and mammalian communication, language and cognition.
I am against religion because it teaches us to be satisfied with not understanding the world. - Richard Dawkins
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actually, being able to mimic the song is pretty cool and unsurprising and varifies (as Y#5 said) what has been previously known. What is unique about dolphins, though, is their cognitive functioning and ability to adapt their skills to different situations. Other animals are capeable and do mimic music, but they don't have the ability to apply the same cognitive approach to things as dolphins do, nor can they adapt as well to new sounds and information or environments (such as different cues designed to produce a new response). It has long been a practice to teach different animals to perform music, but scientific tests on it aren't common. I hvae a cat that took over this toy that used to be my daughter's - it is a little people bus that plays the song "wheels on the bus" - the cat will push the bus so that it plays the song, and afterwards the cat will meow as if she's trying to mimic it. Many animals can attempt to mimic other vocalizations as well, from dogs that seem to say "mama" and "hello" at the cue of their owners to seals being taught to honk horns to a basic tune. Combining this with the ability to create meaning for new things, and adapt linguistically (as in the dolphin's ability to adapt their newly learned skills and teach them to other dolphins) is a more human like tendency, and is not as common in other animals.
Anyways, I'm rambling ... thanks for the links, guys.
please visit www.SilkyShrewGoddess.com, www.FreeThoughtMedia.com, hillbillyatheist.com and
That. Is. The. Most. Adorable. Thing. EVER.
Thanks for sharing that story, it made me smile. And also a little sad for the perplexed cat who can't sing....
None of my cats can sing (although one desperately attempts it), but I notice a definite difference in their cattitude when I keep the radio station on classical music instead of oldies. They definitely do not like hard rock.
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