The Human Spark | Monkeys and Magic Fruit | PBS

http://www.pbs.org/humanspark Researcher Laurie Santos demonstrates an illusion test she runs on free-ranging monkeys in Puerto Rico. Seeing how the monkeys respond opens a window onto the evolution of our own cognitive abilities and helps isolate the beginnings of the human spark.

In The Human Spark, Alan Alda visits dozens of scientists on three continents -- and even undergoes an examination of his own brain -- to find the answer to one question: What makes us human? Coming to PBS over three Wednesdays: January 6, 13, and 20, 2010 (check local listings). Learn more at http://www.pbs.org/humanspark

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Alan Alda
• rhesus
• monkeys
• Laurie Santos
• Puerto Rico
• evolution
• cognition
• experiment
• Human Spark

[maskedphrogg]

You're missing the broader context.

Frame the project in intellectual terms and wealthy institutions will finance your eccentric vacation and pat you on the back while doing so.

[GrimeComedy]

Why does the monkey at 3:26 have a tattoo on his chest? LMAO!!

[adamgod8]

flying monkey at 2:12

[SuperSparten]

3:26 - 3:34: The macaque's surprised reaction of twitching is very much like how humans react if perplexed by something surprising.

[ORCA4312]

@WhyYouSo If they do - she`ll win a Nobel prize.

[GetMeThere1]

All I can think of when I watch this is some "alien" performing a similar (relatively) experiment on humans....and deciding we're pretty damn stupid! For example: In observing an usual phenomenon, do we think it was caused by a process we're currently unaware of....or by a magic sky-daddy :)

[WhyYouSo]

Leave the monkeys alone.

Did they get a kiwi after all that?

Somehow they'll figure out how to make a weapon from all this 'research'.

o.O

[Camaroofdeth]

So, Monkey is more interested in box with food than box without. Wow. I'm shocked. Obviously must be some intellectual fascination with changing fruit. Couldn't be, you know, an interest in a box containing food.

[dabatjelly]

its only interested in whether or not it can run up & steal it... XD