Let me rescue it, then. It's a valid point that other species don't have literature. It shows that they don't have ideas. If they did, it would be really obviously evident. Instead we have to look hard for traces of memetic transmission of idea-like behaviours involving sticks and leaves, and rocks and shells, and calls and signs. These memes don't go anywhere, and the animals aren't creative. If they develop, it's by accident.
The article's premise is "some animals are better at specific things than humans, therefore humans are not exceptional", or stated differently, "humans are only exceptional if they're the best at literally everything".
It seems obvious to me that this is a fairly useless definition of "exceptional" that would not be accepted in any context other than an ideological one.
Yes, HN is better without shallow dismissals. Perhaps we should extend that idea to shallow articles as well.
dang|6 months ago
"Please don't post shallow dismissals, especially of other people's work. A good critical comment teaches us something."
https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
card_zero|6 months ago
roarcher|6 months ago
It seems obvious to me that this is a fairly useless definition of "exceptional" that would not be accepted in any context other than an ideological one.
Yes, HN is better without shallow dismissals. Perhaps we should extend that idea to shallow articles as well.
unknown|6 months ago
[deleted]
miramba|6 months ago