Teaching apes to use the internet.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of teaching apes to use the internet, exploring the implications of such an endeavor on communication, psychology, and technology. Participants share thoughts on the potential for apes to engage in online interactions, including gaming and programming, while also referencing existing examples of apes using symbolic languages.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses excitement about the idea of conversing with apes online and imagines the fun of playing video games with them.
  • Another participant reflects on the complexity of gorilla psychology and mentions an ape that learned a symbolic language on a touchscreen, highlighting its ability to make specific requests.
  • A humorous post suggests that apes could handle various programming tasks, referencing a fictional "Primate Programming Institute" and discussing the productivity of great apes versus monkeys in software-related activities.
  • One participant reacts humorously to the "rule of thumb" comment regarding programming capabilities of apes.
  • A later reply references the "thousand monkeys with a thousand typewriters" concept, connecting it to popular culture and expressing skepticism about the idea.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share a sense of curiosity and humor about the topic, but there is no consensus on the feasibility or implications of teaching apes to use the internet. Multiple competing views and playful skepticism remain throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes speculative ideas about the capabilities of apes and the potential for their involvement in technology, but lacks empirical evidence or detailed exploration of the psychological aspects mentioned.

wasteofo2
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They've taught apes sign language, I can't imagine how teaching them to at least type would be ridiculously hard. Just imagine having apes on this forum, or anywhere on the internet. So far all the knowledge of apes has been kept to the apes, those who do sign language with them, and what the people tell us about the apes. I want to have a freaking discussion with a gorilla! Or better yet, I want to play online videogames with a gorilla. Just imagine all the fun you could have if monkeys and apes were taught to use the internet.

I'm sure you've all read the article about the cybernetic monkeys they made which could play videogames with their mind, Imagine a monkey playing counter strike or something as a special monkey character.

And anyone who's into psycology or anything would probabally have a blast analyzing a whole new species, just imagine how cool the psyche of a cimpanzee would be.
 
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At first I thought your signature was weird, but you know, you're right, it would be interesting to have a conversation with an animal of any type. I really know very little about gorilla psychology, how complex of thoughts do we know they can have? I saw an ape on TV that had learned a simple symbolic language on a touch screen computer. When it requested things, it was quite specific: it hit the symbol/s for: ice water, ice and water, cold and water, or cold water or something like that, I can't remember exactly.
 
What dya mean, imagine apes being on this forum?
 
Yes, not only can apes program they can also handle: Web Development Services, Software writing, Outsourcing,Software maintenance, etc..

Visit the Primate Programming Institute
How many Primate Programmers can I engage at one time?

You can engage as many as you like. There is a definite advantage to engaging an entire social group or colony of related individuals. The advantage comes from increased communication and understanding between individuals within the group. This is explained in the brochure.

What about software testing?

Great apes (hominids) do not have tails, while monkeys do. Research indicates that great apes are very productive in the areas of software maintenance and report writing, while most monkeys will struggle. Monkeys however are great at software testing. So the rule of thumb is, if you don’t have a tail, you can probably program

We train our baboons specifically for software testing, using various industry-standard testing tools.
 
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"Rule of thumb"? ROTFL !
 
Just look at the Bonzai Buddy (he is a tw*t!)!

Is this going to lead on to the ol' "Thousand monkeys with a thousand typewriters" malarky?? Everytime i hear that i think of that Simpsons episode

Mr. Burns: "and in this room there are a thousand monkeys with a thousand typewriters - I'm hoping that one day they will produce the complete works of Shakespeare *picks up a page from a typewriter* ..It was the best of times, it was the BLURST of times?? Stupid monkey!"

Or something to that effect :smile:
 

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