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Fascinating. It’s fun to image humans creating a kind of universal translator, where we could start to communicate with animals.

There may also be something to be known about the non-dualism implied in this research. Folks in the non-dual space, who lobby that the sense of being a separate self is not only an illusion but a source of suffering for humans, often wonder about why we’ve evolved to perceive a self inside of experience. Especially considering how much we suffer for that illusion.

My argument has always been the necessity for a self in the absence of claws and fangs. It’s forced us to us our brains and social skills more to survive.

Both of these examples above validate my hypothesis. Dolphins and Marmosets are both creatures that would benefit from a developed self, a kind of proto-intellect to protect themselves through evolved social systems and intelligence (versus might).

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It is wild to imagine a universal translator that allows us to communicate with animals. Your insights into non-dualism and the evolution of self-awareness add an intriguing layer to the conversation. The idea that creatures like dolphins and marmosets might benefit from a developed sense of self to navigate their social systems is compelling. It highlights how intelligence and social skills can be powerful tools for survival. It's exciting to think about the possibilities this research opens up for understanding both animal and human consciousness!

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Man, I love this stuff. Brain food.

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Regardless of whether or.not you subscribe to the proposition of survivalism in evolutionary theory ( I personally don't ) the sense of self as a social function provides the opportunity for flourishing a culture, which is a social provision of mirroring, and development of group adaptation and thriving through law. You need culture to make law/s. You need selves to make culture.

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Wonder, thank you for sharing your thoughtful perspective on the interplay between self, culture, and law. It's fascinating to consider how our sense of self contributes to the development of culture and, in turn, how culture shapes the laws that govern us. Your point about culture being essential for creating laws really resonates—laws are indeed a reflection of the values and norms that a society holds dear.

The idea that we need individual selves to build and sustain culture highlights the importance of each person's role in contributing to a thriving community. It's a reminder of how interconnected we all are and how our collective efforts can lead to meaningful societal progress.

I appreciate you sharing this insight, as it underscores the importance of nurturing both individual identity and cultural cohesion. It's through this dynamic relationship that societies can adapt, grow, and flourish. Thank you for sparking such an engaging discussion!

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Sep 18Liked by Ed Boks

damn(ed)

so i didn't have time to read the whole report today and forgive the shoot from the hip to call out the hubris of thinking some arrogant materialist reductionist human let alone AI (perhaps happening upon a world so easily divorced as to further complete the dominion to create hell on this earth) thinks they are in any position to discover anything but their finger up their ass sucking a binky speaking their ludicrous language as they call others babble

these "discoverers" are in no way capable of understanding the intelligence of any other miraculous beings, as their peer is so narrowed to obliterate any context of divine meaning

of course every other being communicates

they know love and share their environment millennia before we showed up to enslave them

and that hubris will in the end be our own demise

as we only hear the call of the mob driving us all over

this so-called enlightened cliff of dead gods become monsters of the patent

as we refuse to think beyond the ultimate arrogance of dominion on an earth we need each other to inherit

to continue

what we visit

could be just that karma come back around

ouch

just

sayin

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Thank you, Karif, for sharing your passionate thoughts! It's clear that you care deeply about the relationship between humans and the natural world. The idea that all beings communicate and have intrinsic intelligence is a beautiful reminder of the interconnectedness of life on Earth. While AI and scientific discoveries can offer insights, it's important to approach these tools with humility and respect for the wisdom that nature has held long before us. Your perspective highlights the importance of balancing technological advancements with a deep appreciation for the divine and miraculous aspects of all living beings. It's a conversation worth having as we strive to coexist harmoniously with our environment.

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I wish sometimes I had another lifetime to live to know more and more about animals. I feel like we have all just scratched the surface.

Brilliant article!

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Thank you, Elizabeth! And I know exactly how you feel…

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Me too!

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This is actually a good use of A.I. I sense that scientists, with the help of A.I. will find out and thus confirm that many non-human animals vocalize sounds that correspond to names much in the same way humans do. I have been observing birds and they certainly have various calls, some dedicated to mates or flock-mates.

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It is exciting to think about how AI could help us understand the vocalizations of other species. As AI continues to advance, it could confirm these patterns across different species, offering us a deeper understanding of the complex social interactions in the animal kingdom. It's a fascinating time for both science and our relationship with nature!

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Sep 17Liked by Ed Boks

How exciting!

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This is really fascinating! I wonder if rodents also do this?

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