Bonobos (Pan paniscus) are our closest relatives. They are a kind of apes, and are found only in the Congo River basin, and hence are highly endangered :(. We share 98.4% of our DNA, and a lot of what many of us think as exclusively human traits (emotions, tool-making, intelligence, language, consciousness, social bonds, morality, love) are found in bonobo societies as well. Pioneering research by Dr. Sue Savage-Rumbaugh and Takayoshi Kano have helped open a window into the behavior of these apes, and helped show (along with Chimp researchers such as Jane Goodall) that we humans are not so unique after all.
Kanzi, the Bonobo (Courtesy: Wikipedia)
Panbanisha, 19, and her son, Nyota, 7, will arrive first. Later, the matriarch of the group, Matata, will move in with Kanzi, Nathan, Elikya, Maisha and P-Suke (peace-kay). These particular bonobos can speak with symbols, play music, work video games with a joystick, draw and role-play. They like it when the scientists wear animal masks and when they play "tickle," Savage-Rumbaugh said.
The scientists will test the bonobos' musical abilities, counting abilities, moral decisions, love, communication skills, and so on. The bonobos will control access to part of their building, flush their own toilets, help cook meals in their own kitchen, select their own videos to watch and lounge in their own spa-sized tub complete with waterfall :D:D.
Kanzi, the Bonobo (Courtesy: Wikipedia)
Panbanisha, 19, and her son, Nyota, 7, will arrive first. Later, the matriarch of the group, Matata, will move in with Kanzi, Nathan, Elikya, Maisha and P-Suke (peace-kay). These particular bonobos can speak with symbols, play music, work video games with a joystick, draw and role-play. They like it when the scientists wear animal masks and when they play "tickle," Savage-Rumbaugh said.
The scientists will test the bonobos' musical abilities, counting abilities, moral decisions, love, communication skills, and so on. The bonobos will control access to part of their building, flush their own toilets, help cook meals in their own kitchen, select their own videos to watch and lounge in their own spa-sized tub complete with waterfall :D:D.
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18 Comments:
Interesting post, and was suprised on the morality part.
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re.the discussion in previous post, no i am not offended and thanks for deleting the comment.
I agree with you.
I perceived the question,on how it makes me feel? i.e do I feel repressed.
And the answer to that was no. At the same time I acknowledge that others could feel repressed and of course I would support them and I definitely do Not approve of the practise of tellin people what they can and cant wear.
I have disappointed many on this, including perhaps my family, but I rather be honest and sound a hypocrite than be hypocritic with myself:)
I accept that I need not be right, all the time and I am not all that I would aspire to be:) And in the context of your question, I think i have responsibilities to my family too, and at the moment, I dont indulge in any activity which conflicts with it:)
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And hey I think I finally managed to use the code. Agree its no big deal, but it did take time to understand for me, especially the part of blogger referencing and tryin to match the template code with the output code:)
Whether you feel repressed or not, is a totally private and personal issue. There are many women who do not feel repressed when their husbands beat them. But that does not mean that it has to be right, in the larger social context. But then, you have to try to convince these women that they perhaps are wrong, and at the same time, also respect their beliefs. It is a very fine line to walk, I think :-).
I admire you for acknowledging that you might not always be right, and still striving to be honest with yourself. But, I suspect there must be some line that you will not allow the government/society to cross, when it comes to your personal liberties! And sure, you do have responsibilities to your family, but then the family perhaps should give you the oppurtunities and freedom to express yourself the way you want to. Again, it is a delicate balance. To each to decide where the balancing line should be :-).
I personally believe, that men and women should have the same rights, and responsibilities (except in cases where biology intrudes, of course). In the personal sphere, some wives (or husbands) might choose to do things differently, but that is because they love their partner, and are ready to do some sacrifice. But the State should not dictate where that line is!
I was glad to delete that comment. I should have been more careful... thanks for putting me straight :)).
actually what u say is very true, just because an individual doesnt feel repressed doesnt make it right for everyone.
where do i draw the line? well when it comes to discussions,or advise,etc i base my opinions, not on what i feel, but on what i think, which goes along with what u said.
but in order to feel good about myself when it comes to personal choices, i go by what i feel comfortable with:)
and accept responsibility for it.
(and dont believe in blamin family etc, they influence my decision, but the decision and choices are always mine)
and of course the degree of my "activism" depends on the country, mainly because i think, being an Indian, i will be more effective, in India then in any other country.
and the code was neat, its just that i was too lazy to understand javascript and tried copy pasting without thinking:D
Abt. o3, there are jerks everywhere. So I guess you have to steer clear of them, and not give them any more encouragement than they deserve :-).
Thanks:)
The apes are emotional creatures, and can love and feel for their human ad animal friends. Koko, for example, had a kitten as a pet!, and expressed her love for the kitten using sign language :).
By way of contrast, about a stones throw from where these guys live is another breed of chimp that is quite the opposite in that they are very hierarchical and extremely aggressive...
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