January 5, 2007: Writing sea lion

[Karenv]

Has anyone ever considered that he might have the intelligence to be taught to paint specific characters? I mean they say a dog is equivalent to a seven year old, and seven year olds aren't dumb, so a seal is probably trainable. (I don't believe for a minute that he can read it.) But I suspect the lack of an opposable thumb (or flipper bone) is the major obstacle to demonstrating intelligence.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by Karenv

I mean they say a dog is equivalent to a seven year old,

I can't get past this. Sure, dogs are smart, and are trainable and all. But my daughter is seven right now, and I'm absolutely amazed at everything she already knows. There's just no comparison between a dog and a 7 year old human. And I like dogs.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by Karenv

snip~ But I suspect the lack of an opposable thumb (or flipper bone) is the major obstacle to demonstrating intelligence.

But Stephen Hawking doesn't have opposable thumbs that work.