Science Memes

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don't be a coward (mander.xyz)

submitted 3 weeks ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 17 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

A fairly small number of known species evolved to the vaguely humanoid form, but 100% of known species with a human level of higher intelligence have had roughly this body plan, it's really not unreasonable to extrapolate that this could be a common body plan for intelligent aliens.

[–] [email protected] 22 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (3 children)

known species with a human level of higher intelligence

Humans (allegedly; evidence points to most being dumb as a rock).
Some species of extinct hominids (sure, but they're extinct).
Dolphins (and orcas, which are big fancy dolphins); absolute creeps, though.
Whales, possibly, though they tend to keep to themselves, so who knows.
Some species of octopods.
Some species of parrots.
Some species of corvids.
I swear some of those black and white sheepdogs seem more intelligent than many of the people I know.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Dolphins and whales might be intelligent, but their bodies do not allow them effective use of complex tools. Same for birds.

Octopods do have a body that is flexible enough, but having evolved in water is a huge limiting factor. But some are able to move around outside water, so it's not too far fetched to imagine becoming a global species.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Octopods only live a few years though.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

So we're back to square one. We got a serious luck of the draw with the whole package.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

My cat. Seriously, stop looking at my lazer pointer and start chasing that freaking dot wtf. I swear sometime she chase it just to entertain me, else i'll be standing there waving like a total idiot.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 weeks ago

None of those animals have human levels of intelligence except for the humans. When was the last time you saw an orca use calculus to solve the mysteries of the universe, or antibiotics to cure their sickness? They're smart, but they're nowhere near as smart as humans.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 weeks ago

Taken more seriously, having the evolutionary background to have:

fine control over your limbs, like fingers
3D-thinking (throwing) and manipulation
cooperation

another human-like civilization is pretty unlikely.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

So the crabs don't talk to you either