Comments on: When is an animal more than an animal?

By: J-Plautz

J-Plautz — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:21:51 +0000

The first paragraph has been tweaked to fit your comments. Thanks for pointing these things out!
I just looked up the difference between monkeys and apes and I can assure it’s a mistake I’ll never make again.

By: Larry Sessions

Larry Sessions — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:55:01 +0000

I agree with Ianrey. Typoes are one thing, but to call an ape a monkey is really not acceptable, especially for a publication that is supposed to make you “feel smart again.” I’m afraid that it really affects the credibility of the entire piece.

By: Tyler

Tyler — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:53:07 +0000

Chimps are sentient, and thus are able to be considered as a person. A dog or horse on he other hand, is not.

By: Katherine

Katherine — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:33:01 +0000

While I’m all for giving (non-human) animals their dignity, I still think marrying one is a little much…

By: Sheldon Siegel

Sheldon Siegel — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:09:57 +0000

Big deal. My mother married an Ass and nobody said a word. :-)

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:06:34 +0000

Other nitpick: “Those who believe in evolution” aren’t “okay with the idea that humans are more advanced than animals” at all! Chimps and humans have both been evolving since the split from the common ancestor. The idea of a hierarchy with humans at the top may have flown in Darwin’s day, but it doesn’t anymore. You’d be hard-pressed to find a biologist who would use the word “advanced” in this context.

And hey, Ianrey — I write for Newsweek and my degree is in bio-anthro. Trust me, we know the difference. (I can’t speak for Time.)

By: ianrey

ianrey — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:30:06 +0000

Nitpick: A chimp is an ape, not a monkey. I’d let Time or Newsweek get away with it, but not Mental Floss, where y’all really should know the difference.