I've brought up the same theory (ocean temperature and orca attacks) to a few people who have certified me as absolutely insane because of it. But considering I can have a more intelligent conversation with my cat than them .....
Carl Sagan had a theory that intelligence is based on brain mass to body weight ratio. Based on that alone cetaceans we're approximately equal to humans. What he neglected to take into consideration was the amount of fat that insulates cetaceans. If you remove the fat from the equation cetaceans are far more intelligent than humans. Considering that dolphins and orcas can understand us but we can't understand them says it all for me. Their language is far more complex than ours and we don't have the intelligence to decipher. Humans are just arrogant. You might want to read "Are we smart enough to know how smart animals are?" He almost gets it right. His conclusion however was "Yes" which I disagree with. I also get a chuckle out of SETI. If we can't understand dolphins how are we going to communicate with a completely alien species? Really well written essay. Kudos galore.
Thanks for your kind words. I don't doubt for a moment the orcas, dolphins, whales, etc., are much more intelligent than humans are. My reasoning is that they've never wasted so much time and effort trying to screw each other over like humans routinely do! They're socialists and exist in small "communes" and take care of each other and interact with other communal groups for the benefit of the larger community. That demonstrates real intelligence to me. We need to listen to their "protests" and start working toward restoring their habitat before it's too late. Go Team Orca!
Suspicious is right. My worry is chatgt getting in the game. We won't know who is writing what anymore. And other than two tin cans with a string connecting them all of the 3 letters can listen in. No more privacy.
They are an alien species in the view of humans who look down on them because they never developed technology. They didn't need to. Way back they returned to the ocean from land. I've spent most of my life fishing or sailing. Whale watch boats and swimming with dolphins disgusts me. If a whale or dolphin comes up to the boat to say Hi that's fine. Otherwise off limits. And they are a true example of a socialist society - probably hunter gatherers is more appropriate. I just hope that humans don't destroy their planet which we seem hell bent on doing.
Brilliant analysis, not only just because of orcas getting even or all the lost refugees, but because you brought them together in a piece where tragedy that is real is treated like a freak show for rich people’s pleasure.
So why not form pods for poor power? Resurrection City In National Mall, DC, was what a pod can look like again, when in 1968 some 5000 living in A-frame houses scaring the hell out of rich in Congress and the White House!
Thank you for your kind words. I like that term "Pods for Poor Power". I think this is what the orcas are showing us--we need to group up and we need to work together and with even larger groups of groups to demand what we need to survive and thrive. We can't allow those who don't care about our health and lives destroy our planet. We need to become "Team Orca" and fight back and keep the lines of communication open so all the Pods for Power know how and when and where they can take action for the good of the wider community. Power to the people!
Fascinating situation with those orcas, your take makes me start speculating on what might be going through their heads. I think the 'being annoyed at the noise/disturbance' is probably most likely, although in truth we don't know. Appreciate that you make the larger point about rich vs poor and the stark differences in how people are treated. It frankly makes me sick to my stomach how people crossing the Mediterranean are left to drown every single week, only to then see how political discourse does not even acknowledge what is happening to them (except when it is really egregious and then only in a context of how can we stop them crossing) or why they are coming here in the first place (destablising their countries, like in Libya, comes to mind). It is a discourse I refuse to go along with, and I'm glad to see you make the same points. Let's make sure we will not let this go and keep talking about it!
We should keep talking about it--keep repeating the salient points over and over again so those in power don't forget them. We need to keep this issue fresh with our fellow workers, too, as they often become immune and overwhelmed with news about migrants drowning in the Mediterranean, being sent back to Mexico or Haiti (this is the US I'm talking about here). We can't let up that the super-wealthy gain all the benefits in a capitalist system and suffer really none of the consequences.
I say you can't argue that those billionaires "suffered" in the submarine implosion because they chose to buy those expensive tickets and go on the trip. Refugees fleeing war and violence and climate catastrophes have no choice. They must leave their homes and search for safety. But what if no one lets them find a safe place to live? That's why the orcas set the example--they're fighting back against those who are destroying their home (the oceans) and they're not taking no for an answer! We would do well to follow their example.
I've brought up the same theory (ocean temperature and orca attacks) to a few people who have certified me as absolutely insane because of it. But considering I can have a more intelligent conversation with my cat than them .....
Carl Sagan had a theory that intelligence is based on brain mass to body weight ratio. Based on that alone cetaceans we're approximately equal to humans. What he neglected to take into consideration was the amount of fat that insulates cetaceans. If you remove the fat from the equation cetaceans are far more intelligent than humans. Considering that dolphins and orcas can understand us but we can't understand them says it all for me. Their language is far more complex than ours and we don't have the intelligence to decipher. Humans are just arrogant. You might want to read "Are we smart enough to know how smart animals are?" He almost gets it right. His conclusion however was "Yes" which I disagree with. I also get a chuckle out of SETI. If we can't understand dolphins how are we going to communicate with a completely alien species? Really well written essay. Kudos galore.
Thanks for your kind words. I don't doubt for a moment the orcas, dolphins, whales, etc., are much more intelligent than humans are. My reasoning is that they've never wasted so much time and effort trying to screw each other over like humans routinely do! They're socialists and exist in small "communes" and take care of each other and interact with other communal groups for the benefit of the larger community. That demonstrates real intelligence to me. We need to listen to their "protests" and start working toward restoring their habitat before it's too late. Go Team Orca!
I just got a comment on Caitlins site saying " send me an email privately". Looks like the attacks have started.
I'm wondering what's it all about, but I'm not giving my email to someone impersonating Caitlin Johnstone. Suspicious.
Suspicious is right. My worry is chatgt getting in the game. We won't know who is writing what anymore. And other than two tin cans with a string connecting them all of the 3 letters can listen in. No more privacy.
Your welcome. You deserve them.
They are an alien species in the view of humans who look down on them because they never developed technology. They didn't need to. Way back they returned to the ocean from land. I've spent most of my life fishing or sailing. Whale watch boats and swimming with dolphins disgusts me. If a whale or dolphin comes up to the boat to say Hi that's fine. Otherwise off limits. And they are a true example of a socialist society - probably hunter gatherers is more appropriate. I just hope that humans don't destroy their planet which we seem hell bent on doing.
Brilliant analysis, not only just because of orcas getting even or all the lost refugees, but because you brought them together in a piece where tragedy that is real is treated like a freak show for rich people’s pleasure.
So why not form pods for poor power? Resurrection City In National Mall, DC, was what a pod can look like again, when in 1968 some 5000 living in A-frame houses scaring the hell out of rich in Congress and the White House!
Keep writing what you do! This must be continued!
Thank you for your kind words. I like that term "Pods for Poor Power". I think this is what the orcas are showing us--we need to group up and we need to work together and with even larger groups of groups to demand what we need to survive and thrive. We can't allow those who don't care about our health and lives destroy our planet. We need to become "Team Orca" and fight back and keep the lines of communication open so all the Pods for Power know how and when and where they can take action for the good of the wider community. Power to the people!
Fascinating situation with those orcas, your take makes me start speculating on what might be going through their heads. I think the 'being annoyed at the noise/disturbance' is probably most likely, although in truth we don't know. Appreciate that you make the larger point about rich vs poor and the stark differences in how people are treated. It frankly makes me sick to my stomach how people crossing the Mediterranean are left to drown every single week, only to then see how political discourse does not even acknowledge what is happening to them (except when it is really egregious and then only in a context of how can we stop them crossing) or why they are coming here in the first place (destablising their countries, like in Libya, comes to mind). It is a discourse I refuse to go along with, and I'm glad to see you make the same points. Let's make sure we will not let this go and keep talking about it!
We should keep talking about it--keep repeating the salient points over and over again so those in power don't forget them. We need to keep this issue fresh with our fellow workers, too, as they often become immune and overwhelmed with news about migrants drowning in the Mediterranean, being sent back to Mexico or Haiti (this is the US I'm talking about here). We can't let up that the super-wealthy gain all the benefits in a capitalist system and suffer really none of the consequences.
I say you can't argue that those billionaires "suffered" in the submarine implosion because they chose to buy those expensive tickets and go on the trip. Refugees fleeing war and violence and climate catastrophes have no choice. They must leave their homes and search for safety. But what if no one lets them find a safe place to live? That's why the orcas set the example--they're fighting back against those who are destroying their home (the oceans) and they're not taking no for an answer! We would do well to follow their example.