Hi Humans,
I would like to recommend an interesting book, The Genius
of Dogs, written by Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods. Mr. Hare and Ms. Woods are husband
and wife and both are at the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience at Duke
University. The book discusses how dogs might be smarter than you humans think,
the evolution of the relationship between humans and dogs as well as other
domesticated animals, and how this might add to understanding the evolution of you
humans. The book was first printed in 2013, but Dad just by chance found it in
a used book store last week.
Some aspects of the book are particularly interesting in
the light of recent world events and how some of the candidates in the present
election primaries in the USA respond to those events. Essentially the books
says that domesticated dogs evolved from wolves who were friendly toward humans,
hung around humans, and thrived because of that friendship. On the other hand
our cousins the wild wolves who have remained physically stronger than dogs are
not thriving because of their fear and enmity toward non-wolves, particularly
humans. There is a chapter in the book called “Survival of the Friendliest.”
The domesticated species of animals (dogs, cats, etc.) and you humans
yourselves have evolved into species that are smaller (even smaller heads),
less physically strong, but nonetheless better at survival because of their
ability to socialize and cooperate both within their species and with other
species that can help them survive.
So what bearing does this have on world events and the
candidates for president of the USA? Some candidates express the need for
toughness, bellicosity, and xenophobia. They preach fear of the outside world.
On the other hand other candidates prefer tempering toughness with cooperation,
negotiation, and optimism. Following the logic of the Genius of Dogs, I would
say that the latter are the most fit and best equipped to lead your species
(and ours along with it) to ultimate survival.
Chloe
