The Urgency of Understanding Animals

In today's rapidly changing world, many animals are forced to abandon their natural habitats in search of survival, often ending up in urban areas or environments that are unsuitable for them. Unfortunately, this leads to a perception of these creatures as pests, which can create tension between humans and wildlife.

We believe that increasing our knowledge about animals can foster a more harmonious relationship. As Anil Seth wisely stated, “With a greater sense of understanding comes a greater sense of wonder.”

Cognitive Creatures is dedicated to exploring this theme and celebrating the diversity of life.

Perception: A Unique Lens for Every Species

Humans and animals experience the world differently. For instance, our reality is largely visual, while dogs rely heavily on their sense of smell. Parrots can perceive a broader spectrum of colors, elephants have remarkable hearing and olfactory capabilities, and creatures like bats and dolphins utilize echolocation. Each species interprets the same stimuli in distinct ways.

Moreover, we coexist with many intelligent animals, and it’s crucial to recognize that we are not as singular as we might believe. Often, we project our own sensory experiences onto other species, inundating their environments with noise and light that aligns with our own perceptions. Our economic pursuits frequently lead to habitat destruction and exploitation of wildlife.

By enhancing our understanding of these creatures, we can contribute to their preservation. This mission lies at the heart of Cognitive Creatures: a commitment to learning more about the diverse forms of animal intelligence.

The Lyrebird: Nature's Vocal Virtuoso

This remarkable bird showcases extraordinary mimicry skills and captivating movements, earning its reputation as one of nature’s greatest imitators.

In this video, we delve into the fascinating world of the lyrebird and its astonishing ability to mimic sounds from its environment.

Resources for Animal Enthusiasts

We invite you to subscribe to our free newsletter, Cognitive Creatures, where we share insights and knowledge about the animal kingdom. We are also developing an eBook and email course focused on birdwatching and species recognition.

Thank you for your interest!

Best regards,

Axel and Victoria

The Cognitive Science of Misinformation

Join us as we explore the intricate relationship between artificial intelligence, the Free Energy Principle, and the cognitive science of misinformation in our next video.

This video features Paul Thagard discussing how cognitive science intersects with AI and its implications for understanding misinformation.