This is where both the ‘monkey see, monkey do’, and ‘mirror neuron’ names originated from, as this considered the neuron that is responsible for emulation of other beings movement. This emulation is what Mr. Ramachandran from UC San Diego, thinks is responsible for humans fast pace evolution and why humans are the apex predator of the world. As an example he describes that it takes a few million years for bears to develop Polar fur in order to adapt to a colder environment. On the other hand, a human would see his father slaying a bear, skinning it, and wearing it to provide the necessary warmth, and sustenance for life, and would have the help of millions of mirror neurons to aid in the process of learning how to hunt and kill and skin a bear. This process can be learned in a mere generation for humans, where as other species must wait for millions of generations to pass before traits will be vastly improved.
No matter how vast and naturalistic their habitat is, they are still trapped in. Not only gorillas, but every single animal in a zoo have these advantages and this disadvantage. What these creatures think of this deal, we may never know, but we do know what keeping animals in zoos can do for us and for them. Despite the frequent signs in the reptile houses that state, “Please do not knock on the glass”, people often do just that. The mammals and birds constantly have to deal with the ruckus of goggle-eyed children and scolding parents.
3) How does Mr. Patel teach Pi and Ravi about the dangerous nature of the animals at the zoo? 4) What is “at the heart of the art and science of zookeeping” (pg. 39)? 5) How does lion-taming work? 6) What is unusual about the religious images in Pi’s house?
Lastly, I think Ralph had the best idea about the beast. He convinced himself that there is no beast, but is not sure. He calls meetings to talk about it and find solutions. He explains to the other people on their level; he says that he too, is scared. This is the best way to go because instead of becoming slaves of fear, he tries to help the boys resolve their problem.
He observed many different animals while in college and traveled to exotic places like Brazil, where he studied unique animals. His familiarity with animals and their behavior helped him to be around the animals on the lifeboat and more importantly survive among these animals. He has also lived in a zoo run by his father and observed many different animal behaviors, so he is well equipped with knowledge about animals (14). His father once showed him a tiger in the zoo mauling a goat so that he could truly understand animals and their vicious actions (35). This is a traumatizing experience for Pi.
The visitors banged and rattled the animal’s cages. Now the animal’s enclosures mimic the wild habitat of an animal, and the visitors respect the animals. For example, primates are placed in enclosures that they can climb in. The way the animals are fed has changed dramatically over the years. In the earlier zoos animals were fed human food and the food was thrown into their cages.
This even became the reason they beat so many “Goliaths”. Redwood fit every description Gladwell used in describing what is essential for a “David” to come out on top. They were so desperate that they were willing to try harder than their opponent. They used their weakness in a way that allowed them to beat other teams, attacked teams when they were just as vulnerable as themselves, would not fight the way the better teams wanted to, and refused to look at their situation as a disadvantage. The attitude and approach Gladwell gives through his examples (using weakness as an advantage) is essential if an underdog intends to come out on
Dian became very attached to a certain gorilla she named Digit. She was able to watch him grow and he was just as fond of her as she was of him. After a few years into their relationship, Dian found Digit killed by poachers. Poachers would use the heads, hand, and feet of the gorillas to make money. In response to the killing of Digit, Dian started a campaign against gorilla poaching.
The mothers care for their young for up to a year and often with another baby on their back. The spider monkey is threatened in the wild and is now considered to be an endangered species. Humans have been hunting them for years as a source of food. The Spider monkey is also agitated by human contact. They also have bigger jungle animals like jaguars and crocodiles coming after them.
In their egalitarian society, he has no real power and cannot force anyone to obey him; rather he must use his speech-making abilities and powers of persuasion to urge others to follow him, and he needs to lead by example. However, he does beat them in order to get things done. What sets a big man apart are his “wealth, generosity, eloquence, physical fitness, bravery, and supernatural powers.” The status of big man is not inherited but is achieved through these aspects of his personality, and another big man could come along at any time and persuade the group to follow him instead. Similarly, the owner of three crack houses, Ray, was greatly respected and even idolized by his workers and friends. He, like Ongka, was not a formal leader but used fear and persuasion to become the “big man” of the crack houses.