Reading, Writing and Other Capabilities
It's very possible that in the mark to create new sentient species can also grant them the ability to read, write, and perform arithmetic. In which case, more cerebral densifying needs to be done. Allow me to dispel some certain things about using only 10% of our brains. As far as we know, there are some individuals who, in certain cycles can activate 100% of their brain. Such an instance is what medical experts call a seizure.
So then what happens in the event we decide to give animals the ability to read and write on top of speaking and coherently understanding spoken word? Should this be the case, major steps toward increased intellect, then this would mean a lot bigger girth of independence for any augmented species.
Plausibility
It would be natural to think that if an animal knows how to speak, then it would now how to read, and by extension, write. But given that humans should be proficient at writing. If that were really true, dyslexia wouldn't exist. So by that nature, reading would be a talent to grant of its own right. I had a great opportunity to read Reading in the Brain, by Stanislas Dehaene, a French cognitive neuroscientist. In his book, (the first barrier is pronouncing the name to a poor old Barnes & Noble assistant), he opens up with a literal description of reading. He write,
At this very moment, your brain is accomplishing an amazing feat - reading. Your eyes scan the page in short spasmodic increments. Four or five times per second, your gaze stops just long enough to recognize one or two words. You are, of course, unaware of this jerky intake of information. Only the sounds and meanings of the words reach your conscious mind. But how can a few black marks on white paper projected onto your retina evoke an entire universe...
Using MRI and encephalography, the study of how our brain works is slowly revealed and we can see how even though listening and reading are both heavily involved with language, they active different parts of the brain. So then either bigger efforts in original experimentation or training would be needed.
Independence
In which case, how would it be like if in addition to speech, that animals could read as well? Interestingly enough, this would be a major step in what could be considered integration into the human world. After all, we depend on reading to navigate through our world; product choosing, money counting, and map navigation be damned without it.
So then it is possible that not just speech, but reading and reading comprehension would be necessary to create a sentient animal that's fully equal to humans. And it is with that benefit that very healthy populations of sentient animals could grow alongside humans. So then, what's the likelihood that a sentient animal were to attend school all the way up to higher education? And would it be at the same pace alongside humans? Or would it be hybridized to account for the significantly shorter lifespans of some animals should the fact remain their aging process is unaltered?
And should an animal create original works, then what's the legality of ownership?
Trademarked Creation
Ironically, when I try to mention trademarks and other things, I would be a fool to limit the idea to writings. Obviously, songs, art pieces (regardless of how abstract), photography, literature, poetry, and so on are all things we regularly deem ownership over. So then, what happens if a sentient animal tries to create a piece by their own will, will they own it? Remarkably, the instance of suing for animals to own copyright is nothing new. PETA has sued a photographer on behalf of a monkey who took a selfie with an unattended camera, an effort they seem very proud of. Conclusion: the photographer was sued to bankruptcy. And the voices of millions of zoo tigers and factory farm chickens and aquarium orcas screamed 'Hooray!' Not really...
However, the courts would be much more ambiguous in their final decision for an animal actually capable of defending itself in a court of law. And the more likely course of action I see is either a precedent set where these sentient animals do have legal ownership, or the attempt is denied the first time, only for more attempts to be made. And naturally, the court trial will grab national attention of the entire nation, (not so much the entire world. At this point, the idea of sentient animals even existing is a routine thing to know.)
But it would be interesting if there was a way to capture the thoughts of animals in a more permanent way than just having them talk. Before, I wrote about the possible unique culture that develops and thrives from the primary desires of an animal, whether that be family, food and survival, strength, or for more... explicit things. Just as much as these cultures and instincts are manifested for us to directly see and observe, so can a piece of art or poetry capture the feeling of how an animal's brain works. Along the same lines, what would the music sound like. We all know the definition of music is relative; I personally question some of today's rap pieces, others may question 'Screamo', and others still may question whether the contemporary music (i.e. top 100's list) is music. So then when can we accept if a tune that comes to a wolf's head is music? Or a tiger? Horse? I personally would be eager and ready to accept it.
So then what happens in the event we decide to give animals the ability to read and write on top of speaking and coherently understanding spoken word? Should this be the case, major steps toward increased intellect, then this would mean a lot bigger girth of independence for any augmented species.
Plausibility
It would be natural to think that if an animal knows how to speak, then it would now how to read, and by extension, write. But given that humans should be proficient at writing. If that were really true, dyslexia wouldn't exist. So by that nature, reading would be a talent to grant of its own right. I had a great opportunity to read Reading in the Brain, by Stanislas Dehaene, a French cognitive neuroscientist. In his book, (the first barrier is pronouncing the name to a poor old Barnes & Noble assistant), he opens up with a literal description of reading. He write,
At this very moment, your brain is accomplishing an amazing feat - reading. Your eyes scan the page in short spasmodic increments. Four or five times per second, your gaze stops just long enough to recognize one or two words. You are, of course, unaware of this jerky intake of information. Only the sounds and meanings of the words reach your conscious mind. But how can a few black marks on white paper projected onto your retina evoke an entire universe...
Using MRI and encephalography, the study of how our brain works is slowly revealed and we can see how even though listening and reading are both heavily involved with language, they active different parts of the brain. So then either bigger efforts in original experimentation or training would be needed.
In which case, how would it be like if in addition to speech, that animals could read as well? Interestingly enough, this would be a major step in what could be considered integration into the human world. After all, we depend on reading to navigate through our world; product choosing, money counting, and map navigation be damned without it.
So then it is possible that not just speech, but reading and reading comprehension would be necessary to create a sentient animal that's fully equal to humans. And it is with that benefit that very healthy populations of sentient animals could grow alongside humans. So then, what's the likelihood that a sentient animal were to attend school all the way up to higher education? And would it be at the same pace alongside humans? Or would it be hybridized to account for the significantly shorter lifespans of some animals should the fact remain their aging process is unaltered?
And should an animal create original works, then what's the legality of ownership?
Trademarked Creation
Ironically, when I try to mention trademarks and other things, I would be a fool to limit the idea to writings. Obviously, songs, art pieces (regardless of how abstract), photography, literature, poetry, and so on are all things we regularly deem ownership over. So then, what happens if a sentient animal tries to create a piece by their own will, will they own it? Remarkably, the instance of suing for animals to own copyright is nothing new. PETA has sued a photographer on behalf of a monkey who took a selfie with an unattended camera, an effort they seem very proud of. Conclusion: the photographer was sued to bankruptcy. And the voices of millions of zoo tigers and factory farm chickens and aquarium orcas screamed 'Hooray!' Not really...
However, the courts would be much more ambiguous in their final decision for an animal actually capable of defending itself in a court of law. And the more likely course of action I see is either a precedent set where these sentient animals do have legal ownership, or the attempt is denied the first time, only for more attempts to be made. And naturally, the court trial will grab national attention of the entire nation, (not so much the entire world. At this point, the idea of sentient animals even existing is a routine thing to know.)
But it would be interesting if there was a way to capture the thoughts of animals in a more permanent way than just having them talk. Before, I wrote about the possible unique culture that develops and thrives from the primary desires of an animal, whether that be family, food and survival, strength, or for more... explicit things. Just as much as these cultures and instincts are manifested for us to directly see and observe, so can a piece of art or poetry capture the feeling of how an animal's brain works. Along the same lines, what would the music sound like. We all know the definition of music is relative; I personally question some of today's rap pieces, others may question 'Screamo', and others still may question whether the contemporary music (i.e. top 100's list) is music. So then when can we accept if a tune that comes to a wolf's head is music? Or a tiger? Horse? I personally would be eager and ready to accept it.
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