A biologist who believes that trees speak a language we can learn to listen to

Re:A biologist who believes that trees speak a language we c... by sjclemmy on Thursday July 12, 2018 @02:50AM (#17512694)

I was thinking about communication the other day and came up with an aphorism:

“We can’t even understand other people when we speak the same language - what hope do we have of communicating with an alien life?”

By which I mean we wouldn’t even recognise the nature of the intelligence presented to us, never mind work out how to exchange information.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:A biologist who believes that trees speak a language we c... by vinchuco on Thursday July 12, 2018 @03:43AM (#17512882)

"The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place" -GBS

It's a bit sad we can't yet fully communicate with other life here effectively. I wonder what ethical implications it would have if we ever got there. An analogy to the current state may be that of a man from another language trying to ask for directions to an autistic kid.

What does it mean to understand?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:A biologist who believes that trees speak a language we c... by kulu2002 on Thursday July 12, 2018 @02:58AM (#17512735)

Thats why we think something like this;

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17389842

[ Parent | on HN ]