Teken evolved quite a bit.
--

I think the same as Darwin did, because, quite honestly, I'm not too fussed about it.

Cryogenic freezing!
Cryogenic freezing!

It's a strongly argued point but many (if not most) primate experts think that they haven't learnt language so much as learnt certain actions that receive positive reinforcement, much in the same way that a dog learns tricks.

So, a gorilla learns that if he signs 'Banana', he gets food and if he signs 'I love you', he gets a hug.

Many primate experts includes the ones from my university :p I actually did a module on Psycholinguistics last December.

Yeah but a series of 'tricks' done after one another is closer to a language than ordering your dog to sit. I mean, I don't think I can teach my dog an exact order to do tricks in an have him do it with one command or even out of his own initiative.

Then you're a pretty terrible dog trainer.

Surely that’s the same as an infant learning language. If they get it right, you can understand them and they get what they ask for. If they get it wrong, you punch them in the face until they learn not to dangle their fucking prepositions.

You’re going to be a great uncle, Nathan. :)

Yes, but language implies that they learn how to use the building blocks to express new thoughts, deeper and more complicated. The gorillas just used the building blocks to express the same, simple thoughts over and over again. Sometimes there would be a report of complex behaviour and philosophising, but that was generally in the mind of the interpreter rather than the animal.

I shall assume that you are saying this on the off-chance that someone believed me.

I'm great with tigers though.

But some of them have actually shown coherent thought, and an ability to make their language more complex. For instance, the gorilla Koko combined the signs for finger and bracelet to describe a ring. I'm not saying that they have developed language. I am merely saying that it's a pretty fucking good starting place.

ITT: Havoc doesn't actually understand what a dog is in any way.

My dog doesn't do tricks. She sits and farts.

Fucking french fucking bulldogs.

Corgis! That's where it's at.

I don't get the appeal. They're supposed to be really mean, aren't they?
At least it isn't English/American. Those fuckers are like the Jalopy's of dogs, made out of lots of flammable materials and with some random spikes here and there.

I've known them to be very defensive of their property, but I think it just depends on how they're raised. My Corgi can definately be domineering at times, but she's also very passionate and loving.

Yeah, but who determines that that's what they're doing? All those stories come from the handlers/interpreters, who have a vested interest in proving that language ability exists. Also an active imagination.

bloated fart beast with bug-eyes

Theoritally, it's simple. It has scientifically proven that the humna being descends from a single cell that appeared on Earth. Like, after the various phases of extinction, that very same cell evolved and most likely came to our ancestors (as so the scientist say they are), the Austrulopitecus (or however it is written). Still, it is also known based on these informations, that the human body does not stop evolving. Ah, yeah, a friend of mine also commentated that we're creating a new breed of humans: You've seen those 8-year-old kids that go to colleges immediately? Those are the new species of human beings (as so he said), but still, I do think that evolution is still happening.

It is also stated that the living beings adapt theirselves to the environment they are in, as the time flows. So, IMO, I think that we are creating our own evolution, be it via Nanotechnology, Bio-Engineering, or whatever we're doing to the environment.

Sorry to pick holes, but Science can't prove anything by definition.

In summary:

Pwned. XD

Well, it can somehow. There are things it has proven without questioning, like, why do we get sunburnt. That's something. =P

The phrase you're looking for is 'Proven beyond reasonable doubt', but other than that I kind of agree with your post.

Bingo, that's it. =P Also, I've read yours back in Page one and two, and can't refute them at all as well. Let the...

... continue. =P

Its an alright movie, the CG is pretty good.

The problem with that theory is that those super-geniuses tend to be ostracised and probably don't end up breeding. Certainly not at any higher rate than the general population.

Evolution is a conspiracy, God just buried dinosaur bones to test you and you all failed.

Well fuck.

Then the enxt generation of what-so-ever creatures that will inhabit Earth will think that God just buried our bones. In that case, we all fail.

At which point God may well have seven eyes and tentacles.

Shut your head-cunt.

No >8(.

I feel sad for you that your God doesn't have them now.

Apparently when He 'made us in His image' he made a few errors with you, Nate. Not in an insulting way. I'm sure your seven eyes are very pretty, and your tentacles... *Runs to have a cold shower*

Ooh, a fan of Chomsky and Pinker I see. I'm torn here. While no studies have ever truly shown animals capable of language (the closest being the Gardners' case study) I'm of the view that animal language is unlikely yet possible- just as they cannot understand or interpret OUR language, we cannot understand or interpret theirs as the 2 are too inherently different.

Anyway on evolution. The whole "Apes became man" thing is bollocks and anyone who thinks its true needs their head examining. However, I believe its possible and based on DNA evidence likely that man and ape shared a common genetic ancestor that may well have been the middle-ground in terms of intelligence as well as structure, and the 2 branched off for whatever reason. Also it infuriates me when people think evolution and creationism are exclusive of one another- they arent, its entirely possible that a God/very smart alien/flying spaghetti monster/whatever engineered/created life, but allowed it to adapt or simply forgot to turn the metaphorical cruise control on. That said I'm neither believing in or disbelieving in intelligent design- we just dont fucking know enough to say either way.

Yay, more middle ground for me!

Basically, if we evolved from monkeys why can't we get them pragnent. It's hard enough trying to instain babby with humans, let alone those of the more apely persuasion.

You're not trying hard enough, dick.

I am very sorry for your lots.

an apeman would be fucking awesome

The sex cells are too different, so they won't bond. We may be 98% chimp, but sperm and eggs are part of the 2% that mutated. Chickens and turkeys have the same ancestry, but they can't mate... I think.