A whale who tried to mimic human speech (2014) • Hacker News Board

Re: A whale who tried to mimic human speech (2014)

#51

Post by flir » Sat, May 01, 2021, 11:29 PM UTC

gizmo686 wrote: post #40

masswerk wrote: post #24

What I find fascinating about this is that there are various species which have tackled human speech with at least some success (both actively and passively), while, conversely, we are apparently rather bad at participating in their communicative acts (like, imitating utterances in a meaningful way). Is it just for a lack of interest on our side, or are we lacking something else? Edit, regarding "something else": App…

> Apparently, we are able to recognize individuals of other primate species by face at a very early age, Something very simmilar happens with language. Babies are able to distinguish speach sounds of all languages, but quickly lose the ability to percieve distinctions that are not present in their "native" language (native in quotes because this happens before they have made a single utterence)

I believe they make all the noises, too? But as they zero in on a single language, some get abandoned.

Re: A whale who tried to mimic human speech (2014)

#52

Post by chmod775 » Sat, May 01, 2021, 11:29 PM UTC

axiolite wrote: post #21

IronWolve wrote: post #8

Don't forget Koko the Gorilla. She was able to sign, understand english and recount stories of her past. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4QQ8Mfjb_g

Not as clear as case as we've been led to believe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYWSXRUGxDQ

Not a clear case of what?

It was obvious to me she was able to understand and communicate. Obvious in the same it was for most humans I've met.

Re: A whale who tried to mimic human speech (2014)

#53

Post by warent » Sat, May 01, 2021, 11:31 PM UTC

masswerk wrote: post #24

What I find fascinating about this is that there are various species which have tackled human speech with at least some success (both actively and passively), while, conversely, we are apparently rather bad at participating in their communicative acts (like, imitating utterances in a meaningful way). Is it just for a lack of interest on our side, or are we lacking something else? Edit, regarding "something else": App…

> Is it just for a lack of interest on our side, or are we lacking something else?

A combination of the two probably. I communicate with my pet cat by mimicking her different kinds of meows, hisses, and purrs. It makes it a lot easier because it's very obvious to me she understands that language, but of course it's not perfect

It seems unlikely I'm the only person who does this. Probably a lot of people speak to their pets in the animal's own language.

Re: A whale who tried to mimic human speech (2014)

#54

Post by humaniania » Sat, May 01, 2021, 11:51 PM UTC

masswerk wrote: post #24

What I find fascinating about this is that there are various species which have tackled human speech with at least some success (both actively and passively), while, conversely, we are apparently rather bad at participating in their communicative acts (like, imitating utterances in a meaningful way). Is it just for a lack of interest on our side, or are we lacking something else? Edit, regarding "something else": App…

I really hope that people are working on machine learning projects for animal communication. If you listen to crows and ravens in the wild it seems clear that there are patterns.

I would also like to see technology interfaces developed for animal use.

I am worried that much of the natural language development that would occur from frequent interaction is being held back by the social isolation of most species that humans keep as pets.

Maybe humans need to engineer the languages and teach them to the species?

Re: A whale who tried to mimic human speech (2014)

#55

Post by j4ah4n » Sat, May 01, 2021, 11:57 PM UTC

I stumbled across this related project a few months ago, really interesting initiative.

https://github.com/earthspecies/project

Re: A whale who tried to mimic human speech (2014)

#56

Post by Alex3917 » Sat, May 01, 2021, 11:58 PM UTC

humaniania wrote: post #54

masswerk wrote: post #24

What I find fascinating about this is that there are various species which have tackled human speech with at least some success (both actively and passively), while, conversely, we are apparently rather bad at participating in their communicative acts (like, imitating utterances in a meaningful way). Is it just for a lack of interest on our side, or are we lacking something else? Edit, regarding "something else": App…

I really hope that people are working on machine learning projects for animal communication. If you listen to crows and ravens in the wild it seems clear that there are patterns. I would also like to see technology interfaces developed for animal use. I am worried that much of the natural language development that would occur from frequent interaction is being held back by the social isolation of most species that hu…

> I would also like to see technology interfaces developed for animal use.

I feel like just asking this question is step one on the journey toward overdosing on ketamine and drowning in a float tank.

Re: A whale who tried to mimic human speech (2014)

#57

Post by matz1 » Sun, May 02, 2021, 12:11 AM UTC

spaetzleesser wrote: post #42

matz1 wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wouldn't, like I wouldn't eat dog/monkey even though its socially acceptable in certain place, in my mind its disgusting. Pig on the other hand its delicious.

That’s what I don’t get. Why are some animals acceptable to eat and some are aren’t? I know people who get totally outraged over dog or horse meat at but have no problem with beef or pork. Pigs are very intelligent and emotional. Way more than horses who aren’t that smart in comparison.

I can only speak for myself. I don't eat dog/monkey i think it because my upbringing/culture thus it create disgusting feeling in my brain.

I have no problem with pigs because I've used to it since childhood and i find it delicious. It has nothing to do with it being intelligent/emotional.

Re: A whale who tried to mimic human speech (2014)

#58

Post by Udik » Sun, May 02, 2021, 12:29 AM UTC

humaniania wrote: post #54

masswerk wrote: post #24

What I find fascinating about this is that there are various species which have tackled human speech with at least some success (both actively and passively), while, conversely, we are apparently rather bad at participating in their communicative acts (like, imitating utterances in a meaningful way). Is it just for a lack of interest on our side, or are we lacking something else? Edit, regarding "something else": App…

I really hope that people are working on machine learning projects for animal communication. If you listen to crows and ravens in the wild it seems clear that there are patterns. I would also like to see technology interfaces developed for animal use. I am worried that much of the natural language development that would occur from frequent interaction is being held back by the social isolation of most species that hu…

Obligatory Gary Larson:

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/1d/b5/27/1db5279f8a07f1601bf7...

Re: A whale who tried to mimic human speech (2014)

#59

Post by brutal_chaos_ » Sun, May 02, 2021, 12:38 AM UTC

steve_adams_86 wrote: post #44

joe_the_user wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The arguments around this seem paradoxical. "Animal have a strong commonality with us, so we shouldn't eat them in the fashion that we don't eat each other. But "Animal has a strong commonality with us, and one species of animal will eat another species of animal. Even species considered herbivores will eat some meat when it comes to them (deer, etc). If we're like animals, what is wrong with behaving like them?" At…

This is part of why I don’t judge others for eating animals. Plus, I do still eat fish. If I’m to judge anyone, it should be me first. I also intended to some degree to be paradoxical, but I’m a terrible communicator so it wasn’t evident outside my mind. Like I said though, ultimately it all seems absurd to me. Digging deep into what is good or right or moral when it comes to these things is incredibly challenging. U…

If I may, what made you become pescatarian (is that the correct term)?

Re: A whale who tried to mimic human speech (2014)

#60

Post by matheist » Sun, May 02, 2021, 12:48 AM UTC

humaniania wrote: post #54

masswerk wrote: post #24

What I find fascinating about this is that there are various species which have tackled human speech with at least some success (both actively and passively), while, conversely, we are apparently rather bad at participating in their communicative acts (like, imitating utterances in a meaningful way). Is it just for a lack of interest on our side, or are we lacking something else? Edit, regarding "something else": App…

I really hope that people are working on machine learning projects for animal communication. If you listen to crows and ravens in the wild it seems clear that there are patterns. I would also like to see technology interfaces developed for animal use. I am worried that much of the natural language development that would occur from frequent interaction is being held back by the social isolation of most species that hu…

> I would also like to see technology interfaces developed for animal use.

I'm working on a device for this! Stay tuned.