Penny's insight into Koko's personhood

This is an excerpt from the introduction to the Meet Koko introduction video. It introduces Project Koko, and features Dr. Penny Patterson, its principle investigator, describing an important insight she gained very shortly after beginning to work with Koko on the first ever interspecies communication study involving gorillas.

Lesson: The success of project Koko is in large part due to the development of a close, loving and respectful bond with a member of another species, because of that species' extraordinary similarity with our own.

Date Added: Jan 25, 2008
Videographer: Ron Cohn

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Koko
• GSL
• Gorilla
• Sing
• Language
• Penny
• Insight
• Ape
• Personhood

[sssssbooom]

My dogs have shown embarrassment. When they are going potty and I look to see what they are doing and our eyes meet it is really awkward and I can tell they are embarrassed. lol

[SmileyCrossbones]

the 'personhood' of higher animals is an interesting idea...

[Pachyfic]

@Floydzkrieg lol, maybe. xDD

[Floydzkrieg]

@Pachyfic lol doesn't everyone?

[silentswan12]

koko: oo oo ahhhh oo oo ah ah!

me:girlll i know how you feel.but listen! you're too good for him. you gotta move on now.

[Pachyfic]

I HAVE THAT PEN SHE'S CHEWING ON.

[chillman51]

Hey it's Koko I've recently obtained my PHD in Biology. I hope all my fellow Gorillas succeed. Nothing is impossible. One love to my fans out there.

[Goremachine]

gorillas are better human beings than we are

[xitsxnanax]

gorillas are so smart

[queconchudos]

I LOVE KOKO!! hope they save more gorillas :')

[mariesadler]

:42 When Koko climbed into Penny's lap,....adorable. She is so huge compared to Penny.

[nexgensound]

@ThermoNuclearWaffles Your can?