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Re: BBC radio series - The Sound of Life

Subject: Re: BBC radio series - The Sound of Life
From: Walter Knapp <>
Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2004 21:15:12 -0400
From: Wild Sanctuary <>

> 
> Problem, Walt, is that the human mind and intellect doesn't 
> necessarily determine what the boundaries of "communication" are 
> within the fold of the wild natural. I sort of figure that if an 
> organism of any size evolved to emit a sound signature, it was a 
> signal meant to be detected on some level by others, either of its 
> own kind or different.

No, we don't determine the boundaries of communication, either way. It's 
also a error to assume that all sound produced is communication.

For instance, a ciliated protozoa makes a standard beating pattern with 
the cilia. This will produce sound vibrations. Who would you say that's 
communicating too?

Many sound signatures are a result of evolution for a entirely different 
purpose. It's unwise to assume that the evolution was driven by the 
sound production.

I believe my position would be that I'm certain that insects make sound 
for communication. Sounds made by older, more primitive animals I'm 
uncertain that they are for communication. The true answer for first 
communicator is not a clear cut black and white thing.

Walt




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