Week 13: chimp warriors and giant cephalopods, etc.

What significance would you attribute to chimps "making tools"?

The observation of chimps making spears to hunt with is significant in that it shows us another link to our cousins, as well as a link in our evolution. I find it significant, also, that most often it is the females wearing the inventor's hat. It makes sense that they are the teacher since they are the primary caregivers, but I would have thought they'd be too busy and tired to create stuff. Looking at it from the perspective of efficiency clears up my misconception. Of course they wouldn't want to be chasing after prey, and then having to bash its head in, before bringing home dinner. Sitting outside a tree hollow, spearing for bush babies, maybe with one eye on the kids, would save energy. Maybe we should move back to a matriarchal society. Although, it did also seem a pretty violent way to "catch" dinner. Maybe not when you compare it to chase and bash, though.

Giant Toads and Colossal Squid, What next?

I loved 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Thinking of giant, pre-historic type creatures living in the deep ocean is exciting and terrifying. The unknown is usually scary, but it is nice to think that there are some creatures who have avoided contact with us and are doing just fine. I wonder if we will ever find a unicorn? Probably not pure enough for that...