Xref: utzoo rec.birds:461 sci.bio:958
Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!uwvax!oddjob!gargoyle!ihnp4!cuuxb!jth
From: jth@cuuxb.ATT.COM (6414~)
Newsgroups: rec.birds,sci.bio
Subject: Re: Intelligent Parrots, or Self-deception and Gullibility.
Message-ID: <1704@cuuxb.ATT.COM>
Date: 7 Mar 88 15:44:33 GMT
References: <1988Mar4.162334.18184@utzoo.uucp>
Reply-To: jth@cuuxb.UUCP (Joe Heneghan)
Organization: AT&T, Data Systems Division, Lisle, IL
Lines: 30

In article <1988Mar4.162334.18184@utzoo.uucp> snell@utzoo.uucp (snell) writes:
>
>In article <308@bacchus.DEC.COM>, larrabee@decwrl.UUCP (Tracy Larrabee) writes:
>
>>As an addendum, perhaps you don't think that linguistic ability alone
>>signifies intelligence. John Lilly and company seem to believe that if
>>they could prove that dolphins could communicate using language they would
>>have proven that dolphins are sapient beings.  
>
>The fad for dolphin intelligence will continue, likely indefinitely.  I was
>as amused as anyone to watch Mr. Spock mind-melt with a whale in Star Trek IV,
>but surely the pleasure of the fantasy does not imply any reality.

To begin with, no one has been able to develop an absolute criteria for
intelligence within the human race or otherwise. I would not have the
audacity to be skeptical about animal intelligence when such a
criteria is non-existant.

Star Trek IV, although fictional, makes a perfect case in point of where
man's unfortunate disreguard for his environment and his brethren creatures,
could eventually lead to his demise. We persist in this day and age thinking
that we can do anything and are capable of knowing anything, but
until we do, a little humility will go a long way.

So, lighten up. Enjoy animals, whether they are in a zoo or in a
home. We're here on this planet together and we can learn from each
other. It seems that the intent of this newsgroup is for discussion about
birds of any kind and related topics. 

						Joe Heneghan