Are we humans simply remodelled apes? Chimps with a tweak? Is the difference between our genomes so minuscule it justifies the argument that our cognition and behaviour must also differ from chimps by barely a whisker? If “chimps are us” should we grant them human rights? Or is this one of the biggest fallacies in the study of evolution? NOT A CHIMP argues that these similarities have been grossly over-exaggerated - we should keep chimps at arm’s length. Are humans cognitively unique after all?
Thursday, 13 October 2011
'Cute' chimps in ads may harm the species' survival
In NOT A CHIMP I despise the use of chimps in adverts - demeaning to them and us. In this paper renowned chimp researcher Brian Hare offers proof of the toxic effects of television ads using young chimps. It results in less interest in donating towards chimpanzee survival in the wild versus serious conservation messages from chimp evangelists like Jane Goodall.