17 Comments

Yes, it seems it is those same things that create division and conflict between ourselves and the others that inhabit our planet

Expand full comment

Perhaps Yes, we are animals with a difference that does not make us superior or better. Humans are the ones who judge the difference as a superior/better one.

Expand full comment

Interesting observation! You're saying that the classification of some humans as "lesser than" is just picking up on our view of animals through this same lens, as though we're not one of them?

Expand full comment

Humans don't like being reminded they're not the alpha-omega. :)

Expand full comment

Some of us do!

Expand full comment

Yep, Me included. 'Cause we sure as shit aren't.

Expand full comment

See?

You say, "Silly nonsensical Substack comments that all of us are tired of, Daniel, please stop."

I say, "Writing down ideas for future generations as a ridiculous competitive advantage."

Suck it, non-human animals!

Expand full comment

Exactly. People don't understand that this is important work.

They are quick to judge, but what can you expect from Outsiders? Once they join our cult, they'll start to understand... at least until it's time to move into the inner circle, at which point we'll have to figure out some kind of way to create a new inner circle they'll never reach.

Or so I've read.

Expand full comment

Enjoyed the article. I belong with Aristotle, who knew humans are really animals.

Expand full comment

That guy was very smart!

Expand full comment

Well, that last paragraph is self-explanatory. And even Aristotle knew humans were animals at least. So at least that argument can be used easily in a religious context, even if some people will be confused or offended anyway because they’re dumb.

Expand full comment

Really enjoyed reading this article.

Expand full comment

Hey, thanks! Any particular aspect today?

Expand full comment

"...these settled agricultural societies became the dominant global paradigm."

The realisation that something as seemingly simple as this, started this seismic shift.

Expand full comment

You might appreciate this, where I kind of argue against today's thesis (not really, but you'll see what I mean): https://goatfury.substack.com/p/the-agricultural-revolution

Expand full comment

Sir David is subtlety reminding his audience that humans are, indeed, animals....

Biology has always been the one science that has interested me most, and it helps me reconcile the realities of animals with the distorted images of the fictional ones I look at in animation. The latter of which are typically "anthropomorphic"- i.e. taking the form of humans.

And, just as Superman was developed as an extension of human capabilities to the highest level, animal superheroes like the ones I write about are extensions of what their species can do at the same pace. I combine anthropormorphism with the intellectual "uplifts" science fiction writers like Clifford Simak and David Brin have given animals in some of their writings.

Expand full comment

Animation is where the rubber really hits the road vis a vis our view of animals. We see ourselves everywhere in them, and constantly compare their abilities to our own, but nothing like a good cartoon really lets you visualize the sort of concepts involved here. Fantasy and reality can meet and stoke imagination from both sides like nothing that came before!

Expand full comment