Comments on: Mice With a Human Language Gene Have Altered Squeaks and Brain Structure http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/ 80beats is DISCOVER's news aggregator, weaving together the choicest tidbits from the best articles covering the day\'s most compelling topics. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:16:34 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Grant H http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/comment-page-1/#comment-30759 Grant H Tue, 02 Jun 2009 05:08:41 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/#comment-30759 @ Warren: A 5 year old? Wow, that would be surprising, in a good way. Do you remember where you obtained that info? @ Warren:
A 5 year old? Wow, that would be surprising, in a good way. Do you remember where you obtained that info?

]]> By: Warren http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/comment-page-1/#comment-30679 Warren Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:43:50 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/#comment-30679 Don't chimpanzees have remarkable abilities for symbolic thought and language? They don't have the anatomy to vocalize like humans, but great apes can communicate using sign language or boards with symbols printed on them. The famous gorilla Koko is a good example. I haven't read about this in any depth for years, but I believe many individual apes have amassed vocabularies of hundreds of words and the ability to use language on the level of a five-year-old human. That's a lot more than a "simple grunt, bark, or song." Don’t chimpanzees have remarkable abilities for symbolic thought and language? They don’t have the anatomy to vocalize like humans, but great apes can communicate using sign language or boards with symbols printed on them. The famous gorilla Koko is a good example. I haven’t read about this in any depth for years, but I believe many individual apes have amassed vocabularies of hundreds of words and the ability to use language on the level of a five-year-old human. That’s a lot more than a “simple grunt, bark, or song.”

]]> By: Jumblepudding http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/comment-page-1/#comment-30608 Jumblepudding Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:51:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/#comment-30608 So you're saying that even gossip, the original use of language, which is often equated to "idle chatter" has a real purpose, and actually carries the reward of an alliance with others, increasing the possibility of cookies. Thanks for proving my flippant point.(edit:my real point was about N'Kisi, not about reward seeking behavior, I am sorry for wasting your time by including an easily misconstrued joke about the belittlement of Alex the parrot's accomplishments) So you’re saying that even gossip, the original use of language, which is often equated to “idle chatter” has a real purpose, and actually carries the reward of an alliance with others, increasing the possibility of cookies. Thanks for proving my flippant point.(edit:my real point was about N’Kisi, not about reward seeking behavior, I am sorry for wasting your time by including an easily misconstrued joke about the belittlement of Alex the parrot’s accomplishments)

]]> By: Izzy http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/comment-page-1/#comment-30585 Izzy Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:41:33 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/#comment-30585 Jumblepudding, I don't think so. Language started for gossiping. For example, creating alliances with others. So sharing information about the world around us is the purpose of language. It's that simple. Jumblepudding, I don’t think so. Language started for gossiping. For example, creating alliances with others. So sharing information about the world around us is the purpose of language. It’s that simple.

]]> By: Jumblepudding http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/comment-page-1/#comment-30562 Jumblepudding Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:32:47 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/#comment-30562 What about the gray parrot N'Kisi? supposedly he constructed his own terms for things he wasn't familiar with, such as "pretty smell medicine" for aromatherapy oils. And in the end, aren't we all using languages in hopes of earning a prize, however abstract that might be? The prize in my mind for writing this is the possibility of having contributed to the discussion, for example, thereby increasing however slightly my sense of self-worth and the possiblity of people giving me cookies. What about the gray parrot N’Kisi? supposedly he constructed his own terms for things he wasn’t familiar with, such as “pretty smell medicine” for aromatherapy oils. And in the end, aren’t we all using languages in hopes of earning a prize, however abstract that might be? The prize in my mind for writing this is the possibility of having contributed to the discussion, for example, thereby increasing however slightly my sense of self-worth and the possiblity of people giving me cookies.

]]> By: Jef http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/comment-page-1/#comment-30557 Jef Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:22:24 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/#comment-30557 alex demonstrated being able to talk about things that aren't around, which was thought to not be something animals do, but he only did that and other cognitive feats as basically tricks for prizes. the english language was taught on a very rudimentary level as basically a set of commands and responses for studying its cognitive abilities. he did not exhibit language ability on any level even close to a human, just more than was expected from an animal. alex demonstrated being able to talk about things that aren’t around, which was thought to not be something animals do, but he only did that and other cognitive feats as basically tricks for prizes. the english language was taught on a very rudimentary level as basically a set of commands and responses for studying its cognitive abilities. he did not exhibit language ability on any level even close to a human, just more than was expected from an animal.

]]> By: Tom http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/comment-page-1/#comment-30556 Tom Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:22:16 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/#comment-30556 I'm sure scientists etc will have a much more difficult time experimenting on animals when they can actually look them in the eye and ask 'why are you doing this to me?' I’m sure scientists etc will have a much more difficult time experimenting on animals when they can actually look them in the eye and ask ‘why are you doing this to me?’

]]> By: Jumblepudding http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/comment-page-1/#comment-30508 Jumblepudding Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:22:14 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/#comment-30508 I am reminded of the Rats of Nimh. I am reminded of the Rats of Nimh.

]]> By: JMW http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/comment-page-1/#comment-30324 JMW Mon, 01 Jun 2009 03:17:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/#comment-30324 And no doubt, once we do have talking mice, the first thing that will be done with them will be...live action Stuart Little. Sigh. (Shakes head) And no doubt, once we do have talking mice, the first thing that will be done with them will be…live action Stuart Little.

Sigh. (Shakes head)

]]> By: shaking head http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/comment-page-1/#comment-29796 shaking head Sat, 30 May 2009 20:15:16 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/#comment-29796 @ ryan... not eaxactly what you were asking for but very close. http://discovermagazine.com/2009/feb/20-think-animals-dont-think-like-us-think-again This parrot is extraordinary @ ryan… not eaxactly what you were asking for but very close.
http://discovermagazine.com/2009/feb/20-think-animals-dont-think-like-us-think-again

This parrot is extraordinary

]]> By: Elegiac View http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/comment-page-1/#comment-29759 Elegiac View Sat, 30 May 2009 18:04:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/#comment-29759 This is quite interesting. I cannot say I'm surprised they've done this, though. Well, I'm sure we will welcome talking animals, won't we? Isn't that why Disney has promoted them so much? ;) This is quite interesting. I cannot say I’m surprised they’ve done this, though. Well, I’m sure we will welcome talking animals, won’t we? Isn’t that why Disney has promoted them so much? ;)

]]> By: Nova Terata http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/comment-page-1/#comment-29688 Nova Terata Sat, 30 May 2009 13:36:44 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/#comment-29688 Hi, Rick Rubin here. When can we sign?? Hi, Rick Rubin here. When can we sign??

]]> By: daniel http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/comment-page-1/#comment-29550 daniel Sat, 30 May 2009 06:07:04 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/#comment-29550 Soon, we'll be able to communicate with our pets almost the way we talk to each other. So, instead of Fido just refusing to eat dogfood out of a bag, now he's threaten to destroy the couch while you're asleep, and he might even take you to court. I'm not a hypercaninevolophobe, I'm just saying what could happen. Soon, we’ll be able to communicate with our pets almost the way we talk to each other. So, instead of Fido just refusing to eat dogfood out of a bag, now he’s threaten to destroy the couch while you’re asleep, and he might even take you to court. I’m not a hypercaninevolophobe, I’m just saying what could happen.

]]> By: Alan http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/comment-page-1/#comment-29506 Alan Sat, 30 May 2009 03:43:00 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/#comment-29506 A friend has a big gray parrot that loves to perch atop the drapes, then mimic her owner's voice saying, "Here kitty kitty." When the cat comes trotting into the room, he gets dive-bombed. The cat falls for it every time because the parrot sounds *exactly* like her owner. Not exactly super-human reasoning, but the bird has figured out how to dupe the cat for his own entertainment. A friend has a big gray parrot that loves to perch atop the drapes, then mimic her owner’s voice saying, “Here kitty kitty.” When the cat comes trotting into the room, he gets dive-bombed. The cat falls for it every time because the parrot sounds *exactly* like her owner. Not exactly super-human reasoning, but the bird has figured out how to dupe the cat for his own entertainment.

]]> By: Ryan http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/comment-page-1/#comment-29457 Ryan Sat, 30 May 2009 01:02:06 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/#comment-29457 Bird reproducing sounds they hear seems very different from a genuine comprehension language or even the limited sign language higher apes have been taught. I hadn't heard about the parrot that could construct sentences from its "vocabulary". Could you provide a link? Bird reproducing sounds they hear seems very different from a genuine comprehension language or even the limited sign language higher apes have been taught. I hadn’t heard about the parrot that could construct sentences from its “vocabulary”. Could you provide a link?

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