Radiolab
G: The World's Smartest Animal
Feb 16, 2024
Join Dan Engber, a science writer known for his critiques of animal intelligence research, and Laurel Braitman, an expert on sperm whale social structures. They are joined by Tracy Clayton, who boldly defends the smarts of crows, and comedian Jordan Mendoza, who champions slime molds. The lively discussion covers the emotional intelligence of animals, hilarious competitions between species like raccoons and quokkas, and thought-provoking insights into how we define intelligence. Prepare for an entertaining showdown to crown the world's smartest animal!
50:20
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Quick takeaways
- Crows are intelligent animals that can solve complex problems and engage in social behaviors like holding funerals and recognizing faces.
- Slime molds exhibit intelligence by solving complex problems, communicating through chemical pulses, and displaying high adaptability and resourcefulness.
Deep dives
The Crow: A Resourceful and Intelligent Bird
Crows are extremely resourceful and can solve problems and puzzles with multiple steps. They can even be taught to talk and communicate vocally. Crows also engage in complex social behaviors, such as holding funerals and recognizing faces for up to five years.
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