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Gorilla Youngsters Seen Dismantling Poachers’ Traps (2012)

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Re: Gorilla Youngsters Seen Dismantling Poachers’ Traps (2012)

#41

Post by gricardo99 »

YeGoblynQueenne wrote: post #12

> "No we can't teach them," she said. "We try as much as we can to not interfere with the gorillas. We don't want to affect their natural behavior." Tsk. Like the Prime Directive but in the real world. Well, isn't it the natural behaviour of gorillas to learn? If they can learn by observing humans, without the humans specifically intending it, then what's so different, or unethical, if it's done with intent? I think…

I'm no wild animal training expert, but surely there's a risk training gorillas could backfire?

humans training gorillas leads to gorillas being more trusting and less suspecting of humans, including poachers, or some other unintended consequences.

Re: Gorilla Youngsters Seen Dismantling Poachers’ Traps (2012)

#42

Post by tomjakubowski »

frosted-flakes wrote: post #40
viach wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not software probably, but could be a plan B for Uber's "driverless" cars.

That's probably not as stupid as it sounds. Well, actually it is, but if horses can drive their carriages autonomously, could we teach gorillas to do the same for cars?

You know there's a very famous sci-fi musical about why this would be a bad idea!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlmzUEQxOvA

Re: Gorilla Youngsters Seen Dismantling Poachers’ Traps (2012)

#43

Post by darth_skywalker »

hirundo wrote: post #18

> "If we could get more of them doing it, it would be great," he joked. Karisoke's Vecellio, though, said actively instructing the apes would be against the center's ethos. "No we can't teach them," she said. "We try as much as we can to not interfere with the gorillas. We don't want to affect their natural behavior." I would think that the main danger is in habituating the gorillas to humans, teaching them that we'r…

Pepper spray is actually quite damaging.

Re: Gorilla Youngsters Seen Dismantling Poachers’ Traps (2012)

#44

Post by wavefunction »

NikolaeVarius wrote: post #32
warent wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly. It's more natural to allow humans to poach them out of existence than it is to potentially equip them to protect themselves from the same?

Yes, hunting is a thing

Hunting poachers is a thing.

Re: Gorilla Youngsters Seen Dismantling Poachers’ Traps (2012)

#45

Post by jjdjr0odo7 »

YeGoblynQueenne wrote: post #12

> "No we can't teach them," she said. "We try as much as we can to not interfere with the gorillas. We don't want to affect their natural behavior." Tsk. Like the Prime Directive but in the real world. Well, isn't it the natural behaviour of gorillas to learn? If they can learn by observing humans, without the humans specifically intending it, then what's so different, or unethical, if it's done with intent? I think…

The Prime Directive didn’t apply to societies with Warp.

Similarly, we can see gorillas are at a rudimentary evolutionary ability to organize around tasks beyond “avoid known dangerous animal” instincts.

They’ve identified synthetic structures they believe to pose a threat to them. They’re organizing around changing their world to increase safety and uncertainty on their own, like we do.

They’re exploring building a comfortable environment for themselves like we do.

They’re on a similar trajectory of development, like a new warp drive capable species.

Let’s have a beer with them and see what happens! :-D

Re: Gorilla Youngsters Seen Dismantling Poachers’ Traps (2012)

#47

Post by joejerryronnie »

gridlockd wrote: post #37
tsumnia wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> If they can learn by observing humans, without the humans specifically intending it, then what's so different, or unethical, if it's done with intent? I think this might interfere with some research involving the gorillas. You cannot study their natural behaviors if you are assisting them. Not to say there isn't research teams looking to train gorillas, my point is that may not be THEIR focus. While they cannot con…

> I think this might interfere with some research involving the gorillas. You cannot study their natural behaviors if you are assisting them. I think this is a very poor argument. First of all, conservation trumps research. Secondly, their environment already isn't "natural" when it has got snare traps in it. > If, say, a diseased food source begins to decimate the group that could be prevented through cooking, shoul…

Teaching gorillas how to make fire - what could possibly go wrong ;-)

Re: Gorilla Youngsters Seen Dismantling Poachers’ Traps (2012)

#48

Post by Eyes »

gricardo99 wrote: post #41
YeGoblynQueenne wrote: post #12

> "No we can't teach them," she said. "We try as much as we can to not interfere with the gorillas. We don't want to affect their natural behavior." Tsk. Like the Prime Directive but in the real world. Well, isn't it the natural behaviour of gorillas to learn? If they can learn by observing humans, without the humans specifically intending it, then what's so different, or unethical, if it's done with intent? I think…

I'm no wild animal training expert, but surely there's a risk training gorillas could backfire? humans training gorillas leads to gorillas being more trusting and less suspecting of humans, including poachers, or some other unintended consequences.

Or it triggers a cascading increase in intelligence, and they end up taking up arms and conquering us.

Re: Gorilla Youngsters Seen Dismantling Poachers’ Traps (2012)

#49

Post by RandomInteger4 »

Eyes wrote: post #48
gricardo99 wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm no wild animal training expert, but surely there's a risk training gorillas could backfire? humans training gorillas leads to gorillas being more trusting and less suspecting of humans, including poachers, or some other unintended consequences.

Or it triggers a cascading increase in intelligence, and they end up taking up arms and conquering us.

That's not how intelligence and evolution works.

Re: Gorilla Youngsters Seen Dismantling Poachers’ Traps (2012)

#50

Post by NicoJuicy »

tsumnia wrote: post #31
YeGoblynQueenne wrote: post #12

> "No we can't teach them," she said. "We try as much as we can to not interfere with the gorillas. We don't want to affect their natural behavior." Tsk. Like the Prime Directive but in the real world. Well, isn't it the natural behaviour of gorillas to learn? If they can learn by observing humans, without the humans specifically intending it, then what's so different, or unethical, if it's done with intent? I think…

> If they can learn by observing humans, without the humans specifically intending it, then what's so different, or unethical, if it's done with intent? I think this might interfere with some research involving the gorillas. You cannot study their natural behaviors if you are assisting them. Not to say there isn't research teams looking to train gorillas, my point is that may not be THEIR focus. While they cannot con…

Add giving them goggles for when they don't see well.

Ear devices for when they don't hear well.

A wheelchair for when they can't walk.

I'm afraid when Darwin passes by ( other group of gorillas) and the word of the strongest will be law.

( Just thinking out loud, with controversy :) )

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