Intelligence Squared The Magical World of Animal Senses, with Ed Yong
Jul 15, 2022
Ed Yong, a Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer for The Atlantic and author of "An Immense World," joins Chrissie Giles, Global Health Editor at the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, for an intriguing discussion. They dive into how various animals perceive their environments—and what senses drive their behaviors. From the chaotic creativity of deep-sea creatures to the impacts of sensory pollution, the conversation highlights the importance of understanding animal perspectives. Expect captivating anecdotes and reflections on the complexities of nature and human empathy.
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Diversity, Not Superiority
- "An Immense World" focuses on the diversity of animal senses, not their superiority to human senses.
- Even less sophisticated senses offer unique and valuable insights into how animals perceive reality.
Developing Empathy
- Try to appreciate the unique sensory experiences of other creatures, even if unimaginable to us.
- Develop empathy by making an effort to understand the perspectives of other species, fostering a sense of wonder.
Sensory Pollution
- Human-made light and noise pollution disrupts natural sensory environments for many animals.
- Seemingly innocuous things like streetlights can have fatal consequences for turtles and migrating birds.
