evolutionary psychology

[evolcon]

Plants that can talk and chickens that can tell time, I think I'm on the wrong forum,

[The Grand Nudger]

I'm surprised..that you're surprised. What did you think that plants and animals were doing all this time? Just scenery, nothing going on in there?

Mah birds got hit by a hawk yesterday, they're nattering away about every falling leaf today. Super spooked.

[evolcon]

It seems obvious to me that a complex, vocalized language would be beneficial to any social species, especially those that hunt in packs.  The fact that it did not evolve until sometime in the evolution of homo is a mystery. There are a few theories but none that are universally excepted.

[Abaddon_ire]

It seems obvious to me that a complex, vocalized language would be beneficial to any social species, especially those that hunt in packs.

It doesn't have to be vocal.

The fact that it did not evolve until sometime in the evolution of homo is a mystery.

How do you know it has never evolved before? You do not. Also, dolphins and whales communicate plenty well vocally. Even prairie dogs have a language, a vocal one, and that one has been decoded. We can now translate it.

Are you attempting the religious exceptionalism that claims humans are not animals but are somehow special?

There are a few theories but none that are universally excepted.

And?

[evolcon]

  I don't know of an animal communication system that has been shown to be anything other than a warning call, even if it can give identity, type, size and proximity, it still does not have the complexity to communicate beyond the present, to plan and strategize. we have to ability to think about the future and to convey these ideas to others. If you dont believe our advanced civilization is due to language and the ability it has given us to access, at will, all of the sensory information stored in our brain, how do you explain it, if any other species had to ability to even remotely understand us, we would have had intra species commutations long ago. Talk all you want to a prarie dog, or an ape, you will not be able to make it understand just what it is you are trying to do

[Angrboda]

I don't remember the details, but I saw an example where one dolphin was shown a trick to do and another dolphin that hadn't seen the trick were given the hand signal for the trick. They both submerged for a few seconds and when they emerged, they both did the trick in tandem. I don't know how they communicated the details but they clearly communicated complex information.

[evolcon]

I don't remember the details, but I saw an example where one dolphin was shown a trick to do and another dolphin that hadn't seen the trick were given the hand signal for the trick.  They both submerged for a few seconds and when they emerged, they both did the trick in tandem.  I don't know how they communicated the details but they clearly communicated complex information.

That is what science would call a "just so" story. although I could easily believe it. 
 language gives humans silent internal communications ie, controlled, directed, thought. it is that which separates us from other species, it's one hell of a trick.  The mystery is how and why after many millions of years it is just now, and just us. There may be a Nobel prize waiting for someone

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

I don't remember the details, but I saw an example where one dolphin was shown a trick to do and another dolphin that hadn't seen the trick were given the hand signal for the trick.  They both submerged for a few seconds and when they emerged, they both did the trick in tandem.  I don't know how they communicated the details but they clearly communicated complex information.

That is what science would call a "just so" story. although I could easily believe it. 
 language gives humans silent internal communications ie, controlled, directed, thought. it is that which separates us from other species, it's one hell of a trick.  The mystery is how and why after many millions of years it is just now, and just us. There may be a Nobel prize waiting for someone

There’s also the well documented case of the Laguna dolphins, who drive fish into the nets if waiting fisherman in return for a share of the catch. This has been going on for several times the lifespan of a bottlenose dolphin. The consensus is the the adult dolphins are teaching this to their offspring, which would seem to require ‘controlled, directed thought’.

Boru

[arewethereyet]

I get the feeling that evolcon thinks that unless a 'language' is one that he can understand, it doesn't count.

Many animals have language but we just don't happen to be Dr. Dolittle and able to easily communicate the same way.

The languages of animals are learned by extensive observation over time. Geez, I wish my dad was still alive as I would like to know what he learned as a farm kid, vet student, and practicing vet on this topic...understanding animals was crucial to his work. He had to learn their ways of communication.

[brewer]

One trick pony does one trick.