When You Think of Animal Rights, Don't Forget About Bugs
Bugs are fascinating, and if anyone tries to tell you different, have them check out this article,
which offers proof that many insects are tiny geniuses who are capable
of counting, categorizing objects, and recognizing human faces. Recent
studies show that even though their brains are oh-so-teeny-tiny, ants,
bees, and other braniac bugs are brilliant creatures. There is
overwhelming evidence that brain size has no effect on intelligence and
that in many cases a bigger brain is not a smarter brain.
One study
shows that honeybees, whose behavioral abilities rival that of some
vertebrates, can determine whether or not shapes are symmetrical, can
classify objects according to sameness and difference, and will stop
flying after passing a predetermined number of landmarks.
I bet if you tried you could think of a few humans who struggle with
those three tasks. I've been known to have a little trouble with that
last one, myself.
So the next time you see one of these clever critters, keep in mind
their ingenious minds, and let them live their complex, profound lives.
We've got just the thing to help you.
Posted by Logan Scherer
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Who didn't know that?
My best friend is my exterminatior.....no bugs in my home....and bees sting so i keep my swatter handy
I recall my college days when a fellow student offered others a sample from a box of chocolate covered insects. I must say that my sample (a chocolate covered bee) was a bit crunchy.
We can learn a lot from bugs. Some scientists in the late 1970's did some fascinating research on the effects of drugs like LSD on the web building of spiders. Spiders typically liquefy the inards of other bugs prior to sucking them dry (new grist for Ann Rice novels - The Spider Chronicles). The researchers filled some tiny thin sacks with beef blood that had been spiked with LSD, placed them on a spider web, tapped the web gently to attract the spiders. They were smart enough to recognize a free "burger" when they saw it (a whole new market for McDonald's ). The scientists then destroyed their old web to test what would happen when these creatures built a new one. What a great way to examine the pervasive effects of drugs. Those webs were crazy!! Other drugs had different effects. Thanks for reading, and please pass the Prozac!
It is so nice to recieve recognition from such an esteemed organization. On behave of the bug community,thanks. However bugs who pre-emptively bite do so at their own peril.
"honeybees, whose behavioral abilities rival that of some vertebrates, can determine whether or not shapes are symmetrical, can classify objects according to sameness and difference, and will stop flying after passing a predetermined number of landmarks."
So can a computer, guess we need to give computers some type of rights.