Comments on: Jane Goodall has died at 91

By: R2L

R2L — Sat, 04 Oct 2025 01:51:26 +0000

@ Steve ” … however like to think they also possess our human foibles and failings, only the cuddly bits.”
Except just as any animal or surf or oaf or ET or troll (!!), or other mythical creature can be made appealing with wide open eyes and a broadish smile, so can they be made bad, evil, or compromised with a snarl (helped by sharp teeth) or scowl, furrowed brow, and a dark countenance.
Comics and animation have supplied us with both.

By: AesopFan

AesopFan — Sat, 04 Oct 2025 00:23:36 +0000

@ Steve > ” calling them their “fur babies,” and referring to themselves as “fur mommas” and the like”

However, it may be that this was the “gateway” to the phenomena of the “furries” – de-anthropomorphizing people?

By: Steve (retired/recovering lawyer)

Steve (retired/recovering lawyer) — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 12:25:52 +0000

Anthropomorphising animals is a favorite pastime of we humans. Dogs, cats, other primates, and the list goes on. It’s how Disney got so popular. Many of us like to think that animals possess “human” characteristics, tendencies or attributes. We don’t, however like to think they also possess our human foibles and failings, only the cuddly bits. Truth, however, is quite to the contrary, as anyone spending time with undomesticated animals will agree. One of my pet peeves (pun intended) is people who infantilize their pets, calling them their “fur babies,” and referring to themselves as “fur mommas” and the like. Oh well, it takes all kinds, I suppose, so live and let live.

By: AesopFan

AesopFan — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 09:08:14 +0000

There are reasons why “Planet of the Apes” struck such a resounding chord in the public imagination.

By: R2L

R2L — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 03:46:32 +0000

Neo: Goodall having PTSD – an interesting view.
Perhaps she was her own worst enemy in that regard, along with her lauded patience. By naming the animals she was observing (to keep them and their biological relationships straight?), she gave them more anthropomorphized personalities than they had? If she had remained “objective” and called them by a letter or number, and not gotten so attached to “her” group, she might have maintained a more neutral view of them as “animals” and not “almost humans”? Maybe if she had not been there basically alone as the key or sole observer, but had another colleague or two to help out, they might have observed “offensive” behavior over a wider area than she could cover by herself?

Hindsight is 20-20, so we can still appreciate what she did report – even if delayed for a time.

By: R2L

R2L — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 03:36:42 +0000

F, yes a truly interesting story about Pili, but I shuddered when you said she and your daughter were close enough to share tea, etc. I could just envision a terrible second when some sort of violence would have occurred.
Of course I was not there.
But even those videos showing pet dogs snuggling with infants and small children give me the willies as to potential misadventures.

By: Marlene

Marlene — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 03:25:15 +0000

PS: the woman-chimpanzee tragedy I mentioned above may have been 15-20 years ago. It’s hard to place some events, nowadays.

By: Marlene

Marlene — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 01:56:47 +0000

Huxley, I 100% agree.
A few years ago, maybe 10, there was a horrible related case in a Texas town. A wman was visiting a friend who had a pet chimpanzee. It suddenly got angry & attacked her. Unprovoked.
Ripped her face off.
She lived. And eventually had several surgeries to create a “face”.
Truly changed my views.

By: huxley

huxley — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 22:32:52 +0000

First Two Rules of Chimpanzee Fight Club

1) You never want to fight with a chimpanzee.
2) You NEVER want to fight with a chimpanzee.

An average chimp can rip your arm off. His fangs can tear your face off.

Chimpanzees are very aggressive and brutal. They are the most dangerous ape to humans.

Gorillas and orangutans are bigger, stronger, but less aggressive. Don’t try to fight with them either.

By: J.J.

J.J. — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 22:26:59 +0000

Enjoyed your account of living with a pigmy Chimp, F.

Africa, it’s a wondrous place. Jane Goodall and many other Brits loved it and lived there as their home. Sorry to learn of her death. She lived a long and worthwhile life. RIP