#fuckyeahbooks

So start things off I'm currently reading Animal Wise by Virginia Morell.

Morell writes for publications such as Science and National Geographic. She has done a lot of writing about animals and cognition science and decided to write a book all about it. I haven't finished the book yet so I don't want to do a review. My basic point is to open a discussion. While she is just describing the research being done and their findings, it makes for a pretty good argument that animals have rich internal lives. They talk to one another, feel pain in a manner similar to humans, have imaginations. As an animal lover and a pet owner, and someone who has worked with animals in a behavioral capacity, no one can convince me that animals don't have personalities and that they are incapable of feeling or processing pain in a manner other than just a reflexive response. I think most people would agree that dogs and cats and horses and all sorts of animals that make common pets are more than just dumb animals. But that's because we've spent time with these animals, gotten to know them. What about fish? Or insects? Morell discusses work involving these animals, and I found myself to be surprised at how complex such a simple seeming animal can be.

So, ask me a question, give me your opinion. What do you think? You can be as sciencey as you want. I like statistics and jargon so bring it on. Or don't, put it in laymen's terms, make it simple and easy. Doesn't matter to me, I just want to start a conversation. Even if you haven't read this book let me know what you think of the topic in general. And if you've read this book, even better.