No. of Recommendations: 8
The notion that humans are empowered by some supernatural power to be the uncontested deciders has always struck me as myopic. There's no doubt that our terrestrial existence facilitates a wider range of activities, but to assume there is no cerebral opposition is arrogant. Flukes of evolution have given man the power of life and death over animals that are far more advanced than we believed.
9,000 codas is about 8,800 more than Trump has.
Sperm whales employ a system of communication much more sophisticated than previously believed, researchers revealed yesterday, using the equivalent of a phonetic alphabet that varies depending on context. The new study analyzed nearly 9,000 codas—short bursts of clicks—using AI to uncover vocal patterns and potential meanings in how the animals signaled to each other in their deep-sea environment.
The team of marine biologists and computer scientists found the phonetic alphabet of sperm whales features 18 rhythms, five tempos, three types of rubato (variation in duration), and two extra clicks called ornamentation, which are modified depending on conversational context. Using machine learning algorithms, the scientists identified 143 regularly used combinations they believe structure a form of phonetic alphabet. They are now exploring whether these signals convey specific intentions, like making group decisions or coordinating hunts.
Scientists hope, with the help of AI, to eventually be able to communicate with the whales, which would be the first time humans have spoken with another species.
