4 upvotes, 1 direct replies (showing 1)
View submission: What makes us human?
Thanks, I didn't think it was that deep. But I'll take that compliment.
I really dislike the "humans are special" trope in scifi. There is no reason to believe we're unique and in the lack of evidence to the contrary, I tend to go with the more likely assumption that we're "average" as far as sapient species go.
Comment by ReadtheReds at 25/01/2025 at 02:19 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I have no doubt other animals are self-aware and expressive. The cat made me realize to excuse myself from jury selection to get home and take him to the vet, in an emergency condition, telepathically - making understanding come through viscerally, not translated into human language. Another time, a caterpillar came running, obviously distressed that I'd stepped on its companion. I was also distressed that I'd done it, after intending to be careful to avoid it. I'm amazed it has taken humans as long as recently to begin to admit animals communicate as much as they do.