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Humans 40k yrs ago developed a system of conventional signs

pnas.org

21–30 of 74 posts

Re: Humans 40k yrs ago developed a system of conventional signs

#22
The X's on the animal forms (Fig. 1B) ... isn't that likely to be "hit here" type markings, for hunting reference? Shoulder, side, stomach... surprised this wasn't really touched on in the paper, since it seems really likely. Though, the paper doesn't seem to care so much about the actual meanings, seemingly just narrowing down the number of possible interpretations /shrug

Re: Humans 40k yrs ago developed a system of conventional signs

#23

The X's on the animal forms (Fig. 1B) ... isn't that likely to be "hit here" type markings, for hunting reference? Shoulder, side, stomach... surprised this wasn't really touched on in the paper, since it seems really likely. Though, the paper doesn't seem to care so much about the actual meanings, seemingly just narrowing down the number of possible interpretations /shrug

Interesting comment, I remember something similar about how researchers thought hairstyles depicted in paintings or statues were unrealistic but it wasn't until a hairstylist pointed out that you can sew the hair together:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-woman-is-a-ha...

I've also heard similar stories about people working with leather recognizing some set of artifacts as being more useful for work rather than ceremonial.

Here's of video of creating a roman Vestal Virgins hairstyle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA9JYWh1r7U

I bet there are many more similar stories yet to be told.

Re: Humans 40k yrs ago developed a system of conventional signs

#25

Ha! And someone today at HN laughed at the research of monkeys playing with crystals... Maybe one day we could communicate with monkeys with marbles and crystals and stuff as SIGN language. Imagine monkey soldiers becoming reality in AI WARS.

Sorry to be the wet blanket. However research on monkeys/apes has for the most part proven that their intelligence is at a dead end and never can progress past what is basically around human 2yo level.

That really depends how you measure and define intelligence and does a disservice to them.

Toddlers for example dont tend to have gang wars for territories and certainly couldnt do battle outcome predictions from a glance at a group across thick canopy and the sounds of branches and hollering.

Re: Humans 40k yrs ago developed a system of conventional signs

#26

Ha! And someone today at HN laughed at the research of monkeys playing with crystals... Maybe one day we could communicate with monkeys with marbles and crystals and stuff as SIGN language. Imagine monkey soldiers becoming reality in AI WARS.

Sorry to be the wet blanket. However research on monkeys/apes has for the most part proven that their intelligence is at a dead end and never can progress past what is basically around human 2yo level.

Apes tend to be way more intelligent than humans of any age about how to hold and consume different vegetables and fruits.

Re: Humans 40k yrs ago developed a system of conventional signs

#27
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sorry to be the wet blanket. However research on monkeys/apes has for the most part proven that their intelligence is at a dead end and never can progress past what is basically around human 2yo level.

That really depends how you measure and define intelligence and does a disservice to them. Toddlers for example dont tend to have gang wars for territories and certainly couldnt do battle outcome predictions from a glance at a group across thick canopy and the sounds of branches and hollering.

Teacher wouldn’t allow it.

Re: Humans 40k yrs ago developed a system of conventional signs

#28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sorry to be the wet blanket. However research on monkeys/apes has for the most part proven that their intelligence is at a dead end and never can progress past what is basically around human 2yo level.

Apes tend to be way more intelligent than humans of any age about how to hold and consume different vegetables and fruits.

Humans today perhaps. People tend to underestimate our abilities in nature because we’ve evolved to be able to shape it. In reality humans had generationally transmitted oral knowledge of food, plus are the only animals that can transform food at will, including from “toxic” to consumable.

Re: Humans 40k yrs ago developed a system of conventional signs

#29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Too bad we don't have a paper that applies information theory techniques to answer that question. Oh wait...

I remain skeptical. Pictures in clouds.

What are you skeptical about? 40k years ago humans were just as we the humans of today, but they also faced harsher environments to survive in.

Technology has enabled us to compound advanced intergenerationally but I don't really believe we're actually that special when compared to our forebears...

Re: Humans 40k yrs ago developed a system of conventional signs

#30

Ha! And someone today at HN laughed at the research of monkeys playing with crystals... Maybe one day we could communicate with monkeys with marbles and crystals and stuff as SIGN language. Imagine monkey soldiers becoming reality in AI WARS.

Sorry to be the wet blanket. However research on monkeys/apes has for the most part proven that their intelligence is at a dead end and never can progress past what is basically around human 2yo level.

Please quote your sources regarding monkey and ape intelligence with regards dead ends (whatever that means), wet blanket.

Please also note you are just a wet blanket and not the wet blanket - that epithet is not normally sought after.

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