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Re:U.S. Agency Declares 21 Species Now Extinct L by Dalewyn on Sunday November 19, 2023 @04:57PM (#38338683)
>I think we humans overestimate how unique we are.

That a lot of us refuse to see ourselves as part of the animal kingdom is indication enough.

Let's also not forget our pompous assumption that only humans can make and use tools (debunked), only humans can feel emotions (debunked), and so on.

If something ferocious ever comes around to knock humanity down several pegs, it will be very deserved.

Re:U.S. Agency Declares 21 Species Now Extinct L by softg on Sunday November 19, 2023 @05:54PM (#38339392)
I mean is it that unreasonable to think that humans are radically different from any other species we know? Because we obviously are. I don't see any dogs writing on this forum to dispute the uniqueness of humans any time soon. There are clearly many things that we humans can do and no other animal can. A study about chimps using sticks to hunt termites isn't going to be enough to bridge that gap.

"Deserved" is a human concept. Pretty much all 'smart' animals (orcas, dolphins, bonobos, etc.) engage in extremely cruel behaviors towards other species or even to their kind. They are no better than us. We're the only ones who are having moral qualms over it (and we should).

Re:U.S. Agency Declares 21 Species Now Extinct L by SamoyedFurFluff on Sunday November 19, 2023 @08:26PM (#38340933)
By this logic, cuttlefish must think we’re low iq deafmutes because they don’t see us communicating via variously uv-sensitive patterns on our skin as we trundle along in the ocean.

Something as pea brained as a groundhog has calls to describe the shape, color, threat level, and individuality of any number of warning calls. Orcas literally have memes. I’m sure if dolphins could use the internet we’d get so much “dead fish on head” r/fashionadvice.