Tim- This is a very sharp observation. I love what you said here on: “Kind-of an aside, but I expect this is why we often think of non-human species as less intelligent. It’s clear that many species are far more capable, communal, and resourceful than us in a whole load of respects. However, because they can’t tell us about it, they must just be ‘stupid’ I guess?” The issue with perception, is that so much of it is informed by previous experience. So to your point: if the previous experience doesn’t yet have any point of reference to what is beheld in front of us, then it’s difficult to perceive it in a completely new light. A great read!
Thanks for your comment Thalia - I'm reading it in the context of a lot of confusion about the US election results, on why so many people voted - seemingly - 'against their own interests'. It makes for a stark demonstration that our perceptions about reality are detached even from the relatively similar existences of our fellow human beings... We are alive at a time that appears to reward confidence and certainty; but disconnects like that suggest we would probably be better off if we were more actively humble about all the things we don't/can't know!
Tim- This is a very sharp observation. I love what you said here on: “Kind-of an aside, but I expect this is why we often think of non-human species as less intelligent. It’s clear that many species are far more capable, communal, and resourceful than us in a whole load of respects. However, because they can’t tell us about it, they must just be ‘stupid’ I guess?” The issue with perception, is that so much of it is informed by previous experience. So to your point: if the previous experience doesn’t yet have any point of reference to what is beheld in front of us, then it’s difficult to perceive it in a completely new light. A great read!
Thanks for your comment Thalia - I'm reading it in the context of a lot of confusion about the US election results, on why so many people voted - seemingly - 'against their own interests'. It makes for a stark demonstration that our perceptions about reality are detached even from the relatively similar existences of our fellow human beings... We are alive at a time that appears to reward confidence and certainty; but disconnects like that suggest we would probably be better off if we were more actively humble about all the things we don't/can't know!