Octopus Brains [UNCUT, 30-MINUTE VERSION]

Everybody loves cephalopods—that class of animals containing octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish. But why? What makes these non-fluffy, non-mammals so appealing?

Last August, I attempted to answer that question in a presentation for a University of New Mexico IGERT symposium (http://www.chtm.unm.edu/incbnigert/2010Symposium.html). "Those Fabulous Octopus Brains" is a speech linking cephalopod neurobiology to cephalopod behavior, and asking what it really means to call a species "intelligent". It'll get you caught up on what we do, and don't, know about cephalopod smarts—and what studying these amazing creatures means for the future of human technology, and our understanding of the human brain.

Don't have time to watch the entire thing? Never fear. The intrepid editors at BoingBoing Video have put together a highlights reel that will enlighten you in a 1/3 of the time.

Short version here (10 minutes): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyGazPZmmM0

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• octopus
• cephalopods
• zoology
• science
• botany
• ocean
• sea
• sea creatures
• boingboing
• boing boing
• maggie koerth baker
• education
• brain
• brains
• neuroscience
• intelligence

[cf3a]

I actually watched the whole thing.

[techpops]

Brilliant video. Still smiling about the idea of a gaggle of biologists. You really packed a lot into this. I feel smarter, love octopodi's a little more and grant you bonus points for using the word awesome in the correct way.

[benjieboyhero]

@incongra That's an AWESOME allergy. Though, I think it's really AWESOME not to have it. So, AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME-ly bye bye. AWESOME COMMENT

[incongra]

I'm afraid I am allergic to the word "awesome" so I never got past the first 5 seconds.

[marksamonster1]

HEY ANY CHANCE THE NARRATOR ALSO DID A VIDS ON STARS IN MATH CLASS AND SOME ELEPHANTS TOO? IF SO I LOVE YOUR WORK.... THANK YOU M

[kjgressett]

"Don't you take my shrimp, I will beat you."

This is an awesome lecture about cephalopods. Very informative and well done.

[SoddomonGhammora]

You can only say the word awesome so many times before I stop taking you seriously.

[Raflegan]

@G5tuner1989 I ask myself that about Eskimos every day.

[G5tuner1989]

If they're so smart, why do they live in igloos?

[TheRealSerps]

Lol, the one dislike was obviously from 'Aristotle' (seen @ 1:32)

[unimportantpersonxx]

This video is awesome.

[techpops]

@fleebenworth Ok 4 months to answer a comment is pretty sad but here goes anyway. I had in mind this, oktapodi dot com which is a short animation that is so good, it's the first thing I think of when someone mentions these creatures. I'm sorry but they will forever be octopodi's to me. Heres the animation youtube.com/watch?v=badHUNl2HX­U :)