Dolphins sing 'Batman' theme

[Celebration]

http://abc.net.au/science/news/enviro/EnviroRepublish_1473208.htm

Scientists have taught dolphins to combine both rhythm and vocalisations to produce music, resulting in an extremely high-pitched, short version of the Batman theme song.

The findings, outlined in two studies, are the first time that nonhuman mammals have demonstrated they can recognise rhythms and reproduce them vocally.

"Humans are sensitive to rhythms embedded in sequences of sounds, but we typically consider this skill to be part of processing for language and music, cognitive domains that we consider to be uniquely human," says Professor Heidi Harley, lead author of both studies.

"Clearly, aspects of those domains are available to other species."

[mainegreen]

1. What Rubbish...

The findings, outlined in two studies, are the first time that nonhuman mammals have demonstrated they can recognise rhythms and reproduce them vocally.

I love it when some scientist makes absurdly outlandish statements like this. I'm not saying his study isn't valid, I'm sure it is, but it has been documented that at least some mammals recognize rhythms, enjoy them, and will sing along to boot! Don't believe me? Pick up Pink Floyds album Echos and tell me that dog can't jam!

Seriously, though, I think it totally undermines a scientists credibility when when they make the wild-ass assumption that because they don't know something, no one does.

Plus, after reading that article, it seems like they are teaching dolphins to speak by inventing absurdly complicated words (in dolphin-speak) for 'batman doll'. Plus his statement "I think music is a human construct," he says. "I doubt that it has pertinence to animals, although the elements of music, such as pitch, time, timbre, rhythm, etc, may be incorporated into animal communication." is total crap. This man has clearly never, ever, ever had pets. I know for a fact my cat loves Bebel Gilberto. Just because I haven't done a study on it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

[moggie]

2. Holy cetaceans, Batman!

Why did they choose the Batman theme? Is this part of some fiendish plot by the Joker?

[Spinzonner]

3. Wouldn't it have been more appropriate

to teach them the 'Flipper' theme or Ballad of Gilligan's Island

Let's have some cultural sensitivity here, people.

[Celebration]

4. Personally I vote for The Brady Bunch

There's a story......of a man named Brady.........

I kind of agree with the first poster.....I mean, on TV I have seen horses add numbers, even, by pawing the ground. Dolphins are incredibly smart but they aren't the only ones. Parrots can sing great too. I heard one do opera better than the original. Too bad he started at 6am every day.