Big Picture Science - Animal Alphabets
Have scientists discovered an alphabet in whale calls? As
researchers try to decipher the series of clicks made by sperm whales, we ask
whether these cetaceans might have language, and if it follows that whales are
thinking animals too. Could we one day get a peek into the thoughts of a
humpback whale? Meanwhile, somewhere along the long path of evolution, one
species emerged with an impressive gift for gab. Are speech and language unique
human superpowers?
Guests:
- Carl Zimmer – Columnist, The New York Times, including the article, “Scientists Find an ‘Alphabet’ in Whale Songs”. (gift article)
- Ev Fedorenko – Cognitive neuroscientist, director of the EV Lab, MIT
- Tecumseh Fitch – Evolutionary biologist at the University of Vienna
Download podcast at - https://bigpicturescience.org/episodes/animal-alphabets
You can listen to this and other episodes at http://bigpicturescience.org/
Get early access to ad-free versions of every episode by joining us on Patreon. Thanks for your support!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment