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/ Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:34:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: jenn http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/#comment-8955 jenn Wed, 20 Jun 2012 15:32:00 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/#comment-8955 I would disagree that the "original purpose" of language was gossip, or describing surroundings, or anything at all. Language is the name we give to a system of agreed-upon signals. The system itself arose from a mutation in a gene that encodes, per the article, for proteins used in fine motor coordination. It was a happy accident of evolution, and like all happy accidents of evolution, was neither planned nor purposeful at its outset. It is not the hand that we were dealt that had inherent purpose. It is what we have done with it as a species that is significant. We, as humans, have given it the purposes of gossip, description, metaphor, and agreement. What the rats will do with it (if they are allowed to live and breed) is up to them. I would disagree that the “original purpose” of language was gossip, or describing surroundings, or anything at all. Language is the name we give to a system of agreed-upon signals. The system itself arose from a mutation in a gene that encodes, per the article, for proteins used in fine motor coordination. It was a happy accident of evolution, and like all happy accidents of evolution, was neither planned nor purposeful at its outset.

It is not the hand that we were dealt that had inherent purpose. It is what we have done with it as a species that is significant. We, as humans, have given it the purposes of gossip, description, metaphor, and agreement. What the rats will do with it (if they are allowed to live and breed) is up to them.

]]> By: inmotion hosting coupons http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/#comment-8954 inmotion hosting coupons Mon, 04 Jul 2011 17:44:01 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/#comment-8954 Iam impressed, you know what you're talking. Iam impressed, you know what you’re talking.

]]> By: Anna http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/#comment-8953 Anna Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:47:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/#comment-8953 I'm not sure how I feel about the idea of talking animals - the relationship between humans and animals would change which would be a very positive thing but I'd have to become a vegetarian - the thoughts of livestock begging not to be slaughtered would be very distressing I’m not sure how I feel about the idea of talking animals – the relationship between humans and animals would change which would be a very positive thing but I’d have to become a vegetarian – the thoughts of livestock begging not to be slaughtered would be very distressing

]]> By: Grant H http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/05/29/mice-with-a-human-language-gene-have-altered-squeaks-and-brain-structure/#comment-8952 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-8952 @ 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-8951 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-8951 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-8950 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-8950 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-8949 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-8949 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-8948 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-8948 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-8947 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-8947 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-8946 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-8946 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?’

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