Other: Interspecies Communication
Dolphin Mysteries: Unlocking the Secrets of Communication Chapter 5 & 6
By Serena Zahler (05/11/10 10:34:54)
Related animal: Dolphin

I found the similarities between human and dolphin learning and culture to be interesting as discussed in Chapter 5. Both species use visual and audio perception to learn. They have similar aspects of communication: both dolphins and primates are highly social and use non-verbal communication, touch interaction, and vocalization as ways of interacting in their societies. Morphology (coloration, sexual dimorphism) is important in their communication. Social rank and class is also another similarity. Our similarities with dolphins should give humans a outside view of what our cultural rules look like. We should be able to use our similarities to help humans recognize the importance of dolphins in our environment and be able to protect them much better. As humans we put other species below us on our totem-pole, but it seems to me that humans and dolphins should be on the same playing field. With so many similarities, it makes me think that our dolphin entertainment is not a fun life for those dolphins, but an enslavement just like Europeans enslaving African people for their own benefit.



Questions:
1. The book explains that "many techniques used to study human-human interactions can be applied to the study of interspecies communication" (122) can you elaborate on specific examples of how our knowledge of our communication can help us understand communication between humans and dolphins?
2. Can we love another species too much? The book explains that our interest and love for coming in contact with dolphins may be do the detriment of them and their habitat.
3. What are changes we can make to our daily lives to help save dolphins, their communities, and habitats?

Resource: Dolphin Mysteries: Unlocking the Secrets of Communication


Dolphin Societies: Discoveries and Puzzles (Book) [Write Comment]