<
https://scitechdaily.com/this-bonobo-just-did-something-scientists-thought-only-humans-could-do/>
"In a set of carefully designed experiments modeled on children’s tea parties,
researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that an ape could engage in
pretend play. The results mark the first controlled demonstration that an ape
can imagine objects that are not actually there, a skill long considered
uniquely human.
Across three separate tests, the bonobo interacted with invisible juice and
imaginary grapes in a consistent and reliable way. The performance challenges
longstanding assumptions about the limits of animal cognition.
The researchers conclude that the ability to understand pretend objects falls
within the mental capacities of at least one enculturated ape. They suggest
this ability could trace back 6 to 9 million years to a common ancestor shared
by humans and other apes."
Via Kenny Chaffin.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
