+109 It's funny how people use "we went to the moon" and "we can build technology and use weapons to kill" for how all people are better than all other animals as if we all could. A more accurate depiction of the human race is that we get pissed off at building a bookshelf cuz the instructions don't make any goddamn sense and looking at technology like ...how the hell? Most of us couldn't build a trap or accurately use a gun, assuming we even had the materials to do either in the first place, amirite?

by Anonymous 11 years ago

That's not funny. We as a species DID go to the moon. Cats sure didn't, neither did llamas. We are smarter as a species.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I think you missed the point of the post. OP recognises we are smarter than other species but is stating that we shouldn't use the accomplishments of the few as an example for our intellectual abilities. Perhaps something like "We learned how to talk simply by listening to others do it." would be a more accurate representation for the human species to base their intelligence on.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

True

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I say we blame Ikea and call it a day.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

It is our intelligence that sets us apart from other species. We might not have the ability to regenerate limbs but we can sure put it back on with the proper knowledge. We may have to use weapons to hunt but it's only because we learned to. Our advantage over other species is our intelligence and our thoughts, remove that and we are completely useless and defenseless. If you take away our tools, so what? We can make more. If you take away our intelligence then we are of same if not more inferiority than any other species on this planet. Other animals might have evolved physically, but we evolved where it matters most, mentally. Abstract thought is something we have that makes us unique and quite possibly superior. We can love and hate, envy and appreciate, aspire and achieve. Don't say "oh, only some of us have accomplished greatness the rest of us can't take responsibility for the achievements of others thus making us equal or inferior to other species." True we can't take credit for other's accomplishments, but we sure can try to replicate those results something no ape can even begin to fathom.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

In regards to the bookshelf we can at least attempt to build one while a oh I don't know a rhinoceros wouldn't know where to start comprehending what in the world is a bookshelf. Now the gun we can at least learn how to use it; give it to a donkey and try and train it to at least hold it.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I'm fairly sure donkeys don't have fingers. Of course they can't hold a gun. The post didn't say that humans weren't better than animals; it just said that the arguments presented at the beginning don't make sense.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Were not set aside from other species. If one attribute no other species has sets it a side from all the others, then the lizard that squirts blood from it's eyes would be set aside. No one is going to take your tools away, but chances are you won't have them in the first place let alone have the ability to use them. The tools need to be given to you, the tools to make tools need to be given to you, and you need the ability to put them together. Try aiming a gun with your intelligence at something moving 75 mph or a teeny tiny little scorpion and see if you come out on top, you won't. You think evolving mentally is most important because it benefits the human species, but other animals think it's pointless. All those emotions you listed have been observed in other animals, just maybe not to as high a degree. The ability to do any of those things doesn't make something better. Are the Sheldon Cooper's and engineers and professional gunsmen of the world better than you just because they're at those things? No, you're probably a better writer or artist or better at being social or empathetic, you can't just judge a creatures quality on one aspect. Intelligence doesn't automatical...

by Anonymous 11 years ago

ly make something better. The majority of the qualities that make humans better that you listed are only possessed by a small fractions of humans, especially considering not all humans live in a first world country where they can get a limb replaced or make a tool that can kill any animal.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Not everyone might have these qualities but we are capable of developing them because we have our intelligence to help us. We might need tools to make tools but we are still able to make those tool making tools, something no animal is capable of replicating. I don't understand why this is an issue as a species we will try to survive no matter what. If it came to an ultimatum human life will always be valued over any animal's life. Why? Because we consider ourselves superior to any other living creature to have ever lived on the surface of this planet. Even you, OP, will agree that you rather preserve your own life than that of a mouse. I could give you reasons as to why but I'm sure you have your own, and I'm positive that it would all boil down to because you are better.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I wouldn't save a human over a mouse because I'm better. I'd do it because all species will save their own kind first.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Agreed but depends on where you are living in this world. This is only the case in the larger continents since the global financial status affects the large manufacturers so they find alternative ways to provide the items to you at a lower cost but the down side is, you have to assemble it yourself using tools like a little allen key, hex driver etc. I agree that the instructions are not helpfull and some may even find it hard to even 'start' the assembly. The smaller parts of the world,they still make full sized furniture and have been doing it for a long time but they don;t have the capacity to export items in large volumes to get the global market as their customers. If you are finding it hard, ask a friend or competent family member and be prepared to buy them a drink or a feed as a return favour!

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Your counter to those statements about humanity is, at first glance, well thought out. I shall use it on someone and see what they say.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

We, like many other animals, separate out different jobs so that nobody has to do everything. There are only a few people that have been to space, but everyone does play a part in society. We as a species don't gave to go trap rabbits because we have created more efficient ways to obtain food.

by Anonymous 11 years ago