Carl Zimmer on chimps

Here's Carl Zimmer, author of the excellent science blog The Loom in Today's NY Times:

Chimps Display a Hallmark of Human Behavior: Cooperation

In one series of experiments, Dr. Hare, Alicia P. Melis and Michael Tomasello placed an adult chimpanzee in a cage, outside of which was a plank with food on it. It was possible to get the food by pulling on two ropes. In some trials, the ropes were too far apart for one chimpanzee to get the food on its own. The chimpanzee could get help by opening the door of an adjoining cage where another chimpanzee was waiting.

The scientists found that the chimpanzees were much more likely to open the door if the ropes were too far apart for them to get the food themselves. "They know when they need help," Dr. Hare said.

The chimpanzees even kept track of who did a good job. When the scientists gave the chimpanzees a choice between two partners, they almost always chose the better rope-puller.

"So what we see in the wild may be really sophisticated," Dr. Hare said.

Chimpanzees not only cooperate, but are also willing to help even when they are not getting a direct reward.

This guy is one of the best science writers out there, making even the most complex concepts accessible and easy to understand.

Jeff

Oh the Met...

This is my favorite museum in the world, I used to spend hours there when I lived in NYC. It was one of my favorite things to do, it was where I first discovered the beauty of a full-size Lichtenstein or De Kooning, the intensity of Ellsworth Kelly’s “Spectrum V”, and the sheer joy of being able to stroll through the history of art and watch it evolve and develop over time.

See more progress on: Metropolitan Museum Of Art

My pride and joy

Originally uploaded by Jeff Coleman.

Epiphone Casino semi-electric guitar, with Bigsby tremolo. Ain't she a beauty?

Jeff