Evolution!

The Evolution readings are also meant to draw a line between humans and every other species. A lot of them have been challenging common ideas we have on humanity. I think we often think that we are an alien species compared to the other animals, like Hauser suggests in “Origins of the Mind”, but the readings have led me to understand that we are earthling animals like the others and are subject to evolution just as much everyone else. At first I thought that this view would be dehumanizing, but I realized it actually might have an opposite effect. I think that if we understood our common human condition- that we have evolved to our current complex form from a common ancestry and we are basically at the whim of this natural law- I think we might understand each other better and realize we are in it together and don’t have to compete??? :^S Although natural selection is based on this competition within a species, I think we, at our current state of consciousness, may find it beneficial to cooperate. I think at this state in our evolution, the regular natural selection is mostly irrelevant, and an evolution in society and consciousness is more probable, which would be better helped by cooperation rather than competition. Jeff F.

Dog's umvelt, Elephant Crackup, Le Guin

The last readings: Le Guin’s Buffalo Gals, Dog’s Umwelt, Elephant Crackup, and the Secrets of the Mind video we watched were connected by the idea that perspectives are taken for granted by humans (and for all we know, raccoons and/or chimpanzees have the same problem) and by understanding our unique perspective, we could have a better idea of what makes us human. This was also emphasized by the observation assignment as we slowed down to examine our own perceptions closer. This lesson has helped me to understand my perspective better by realizing first of all, that other people may have different perspectives, and by understanding where mine differ greatly from other species and where I may share some with others. This helps me see the bigger picture of the universe, by helping me realize that others may see a different bigger picture….maybe… Overall, I think the lesson was very informative and eye-opening.

Jeff F.

dog's umvelt

One of my favorite articles so far has been the dog’s umvelt. As it does with me, it should interest most people to be able to get a grasp on what it’s like to be something alive and not human. Things that could be seen as valued by us mean as little as a piece of paper to us. I myself have a Boston terrier, and it takes these deep breaths and they sound like sighs sometimes, but now I realize that he could be breathing in and out at the same time and getting those deeper breaths the article talked about. I can’t even fathom how he feels when he catches wind of something pungent, because he pulls in much more of the air he breathes than we do. The topic of time in the article was also informing. They tell time using their smell, for example the freshness of a dog turd or urine determines how long it has been there by how much it smells. The most interesting thing was that dogs have this better “flicker vision” than even humans. Dogs were the last animal I would expect to be able to see better than me. I can move just a little bit around my dog and he will react in crazy head nods and now I know it’s because they process the incoming light faster than we can. But at least i had something to fall back on now that I know we see better in a focused path that we look at and they can only see better up close.

Quinn P.

Inside of a Dog

The article Inside of a Dog, I was curious as to what I would be reading. Would the author take us on a journey through the day in life of a dog? How was the story going to be told? Would it be like Buffalo Gals where the animals have human traits? As I read on, I discovered that it was more of an informative and scientific piece. The senses of a dog are astounding. Their sight and sense of smell are much more advanced than a humans. The article also talked about how animals can read our emotions; which I find to be very true. Whenever I was upset my favorite dog would always jump on my lap and lick my face to cheer me up. Dogs know what their masters want and need from them. There is no need to dominate them in training. The dog will learn by observing the behaviors of other dogs and by their owner’s reaction. The reading was really positive and told the reader why dogs are so special. It also gave many scientific facts and information. The author had clearly researched the topic and had passion for animals. I was both interested and more informed about dogs after reading the article.

Cody Hein

professor Roger's trial

“Professor Roger's Trial”

I think this kind of behaver happens all the time in group projects. I couldn't agree more with the grade the professor gave the group. The purpose for the trial was the establish team skills. That clearly didn't happen. Silvie suppressed her feelings about being bossed around by Anthony. Donald didn't try at all he is the kind of person that leaves everything to the last second. Silvie and Anthony are both worried about who does what they get to busy arguing with each other they forgot to work hard on the trial.

I have had this happen to me a few times. I am the kind of person that gets stuck with people that wont do anything or they say they will but don't end up doing anything so I do it all. When that happens I let the professor know who did work and who didn't do work. When I was in the visual arts and technology academy V.A.T.A in San Diego I was often the leader of whatever group/team project assigned. After all the teams were done with their project and presented it to the class all of the leaders would go into a back room with the teacher and tell them how the group worked together and if everyone did their job. I like being the leader of the group I feel like I can be the level head of the group and tie things together to make a good product.

Raven P.

Our reading still has not given us a clue whether we have been born moral or not. There doesn't seem to be a definitive answer. It depends on who you ask.
It is pretty convincing that we evolved from something other than what the current day man looks like.