Tag Archives: Video

Art, Culture, History, Politics, Special People

Sir Charles Chaplin: (no) Dictator

Video

On March 4th 1975 Charles Chaplin was awarded a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II (“Knight Commander of the British Empire“).

Although widely known as comic actor, I think his role as “The Great Dictator” is one of his best and the final speech is one of the most impressive scenes in film history.

In current times there are quite a number of people who should watch this and take it to their heard. Unfortunately I have little hope.

Nature, Science

Animals and the definition of intelligence

I think that many people too quickly come to believe that (some) animals are intelligen. Specifically pet-owners tend to believe that “their” special creature definitely must be intelligent.

I’m certainly not convinced. Some time I go I thought it is easy to tell which behaviour is intelligent, or not; but today I believe that objective criteria are hard to find. It may still be possible to argue specific behaviours or specific cases, but to instate objective criteria to decide in general about intelligence… seems to be hard or impossible.

And there are astonishing specific cases. You can see reports or videos where you really wonder: is this a fake with long and specific training of the animal; is it just coincidence; or is it a collection of very specific natural behaviour pattern, that put together create the impression of intelligent behaviour; or is it really Intelligence?

Currently I tend to think that a collection of thoroughly connected pieces of behaviour, you can call it evolution of behavioural patterns, combined together … can create the impression of intelligent behaviour. But it’s not necessarily intelligence. But I would not be sure enough to rule it out.

In any case, it is a very interesting topic and fun to watch…