Join leading scientists—Brian Hare, Vanessa Woods, Jeremy Niven, Patrick Hof and Klaus Zuberbühler—whose research is challenging long-held assumptions about the differences between “animal” and “human”—and learn about pin-sized brains that can count, categorize, and hold a grudge against those who’ve tried to swat them. Does your dog really think and feel like a human? Do our closest primate relatives have brains and emotions similar to ours? What about the storied intelligence of dolphins and singing humpback whales? And do other species hold surprises for us if we’re willing to look closely?
On June 5, the World Science Festival at New York University included a presentation titled "All Creatures Great and Smart" that challenged assumptions about the differences between animals and people.
The panel featured Brian Hare, Vanessa Woods, Jeremy Niven, Patrick Hof and Klaus Zuberbühler, and included discussions about the similarities that can be found between humans and animals, ranging from primates to insects.
Scientists brought to light some interesting aspects of the animal world, including the lack of violence in Bonobo societies, along with their ability to act altruistically, communication between species, such as birds and other animals reacting to each other’s predatory alarm calls, and animals’ ability to follow social cues and interpret each other’s behavior or take cues from us.