In this article, Garber introduces the theory induced from a long-time experiment by Jason Bruck. Bruck wanting to test the social memory length of dolphins, studied dolphins from six different facilities, rotating the animals around and keeping track of the encounters of each dolphins. After a period of time, Bruck would play back a specific dolphin's whistle, which acts as its name, to see if he got any response from the experimental dolphin. One dolphin, Bailey, responded to one of her tankmate, Allie's whistle after 20 years of separation. Garber concludes with the theory that dolphins "may well have the capacity for relatively complex memories."
I found the introduction and the conclusion to the article a little ridiculous. Though I can see that Garber wanted to make dolphins and humans very closely related, it was comical to try and imagine the picture she gives us - meeting up a dolphin at first a bar, then a bank. On the experiment itself, I was a little upset that these dolphins were used in this way, although it was for research. Some dolphins reacted to their previous tankmates' whistles, even bumping their bodies to the speakers as if to get back a response. If their memory length is so long as to last even twenty years, the isolated feeling they got during the experiment will probably also stick as well.
This new piece of information about dolphins' memory capacities is pretty interesting because dolphins' level of intelligence has also been widely debated for a period of time.
Article: http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/08/if-you-insulted-a-dolphin-20-years-ago-hes-probably-still-bitter-about-it/278446/#disqus_thread
This is such an interesting news article and blog! I like how you had a nice blend of summary and commentary. The structure of your blog was organized well too.
ReplyDeleteI agree that using dolphins this way is a little cruel. These scientists are keeping dolphins separated for a long time, only to "reunite" them by playing a recording of the other dolphin's whistle. It is also really sad to hear that the dolphin would try to get a response out of the other "dolphin" (or speaker in this case).
Great blog!
Hi Sami :) Interesting topic! I enjoyed your analysis of the author's attitude and stylistic devices. I also found his attempt at a comical hook to be a little too much and not that funny. I must say I don't really understand the purpose of this experiment, besides the fact that the dolphins probably have undergone lots of emotional turmoil. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI have never really read many articles about dolphins, so it was a refreshing read. Even so, what the article mentions is a bit cruel yet it is difficult to understand the motive behind the whole experiment. I like your blog, how you bring your own opinion and clearly take a stance.
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