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The Octopus Is Smart as Heck, But Why?

nytimes.com

11–20 of 155 posts

Re: The Octopus Is Smart as Heck, But Why?

#11
post #5

because how else they would pilot their flying saucers to earth? https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/octopus-aliens-sc...

If life (microbes, spores etc) can be carried on interstellar comets/asteriods, maybe the distinction between "alien" and "terrestrial" is an artificial human construction.

Re: The Octopus Is Smart as Heck, But Why?

#14
post #5

because how else they would pilot their flying saucers to earth? https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/octopus-aliens-sc...

What we see as an octopus is only a three dimensional slice of their true form, obviously. They are actually a physical manifestation of the monster group.

Yes, and that accounts for the apparently short lifetime.

Re: The Octopus Is Smart as Heck, But Why?

#18
post #17

I would like to keep one for a pet but they only live a few years. Been through that with a rat, won't do it again; even kits and pups only last 15 years or so. too soon

If you want an intelligent pet that will likely outlive you, get a parrot.

Actually, please don't. If you want a pet, adopt a dog or cat from the local shelter. At least they have been domesticated long enough that they are better off under human care.

Don't keep an animal that had to be captured and removed from its natural habitat.

Re: The Octopus Is Smart as Heck, But Why?

#20
post #16

Perhaps more interestingly than why is how. Smarts are always useful but how do they manage with such diferente and disperse nervouse system.

Yes, that is interesting. Their nervous systems are more like spiders than vertebrates.

Not that spiders sre necessarily unintelligent: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portia_(spider)#Intelligence
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