Look Who's Talking

This week's episode explores what we know about language, cognition and emotional intelligence in other animals. I talk with Con Slobodhcikoff,  CEO of Zoolingua and author of Chasing Dr. Doolittle: Learning the Language of Animals. You can find out more about Dr. Con at his website https://www.conslobodchikoff.com and you can order a copy of his thoughtful and provocative book here.

He is at the forefront of utilizing new technology like artificial intelligence to decode the language of other species. A lot of us already know that our companion animals communicate with us. Whether its dogs or cats they have been smart enough to develop unique vocalizations reserved just for talking to us. Cats for instance don’t meow at each other, that just for us. Its almost as if they realized us silly humans can’t speak their language so they worked out a way to talk to us. People like Con Slobodchikoff are working to develop tools that will help us better understand their language. Perhaps then we can stop trying to make other species speak human language as a criteria for having language. Science is finally catching up with better tools and creative minds to reveal just how connected we really are.

Speaking of creativity, Con is an artist as well. Check out his work at https://www.artabstractphotography.com and also his partner Judy, another scientist and artist creates spectacular paintings, https://www.judekaiart.com/index.php

You can connect with Con on Facebook at Twitter at 

https://www.facebook.com/con.slobodchikoff/

https://www.facebook.com/Doctor.Con

@DoctorCon

Don't forget to follow the show and connect with us on Twitter @wildconnectpod and with me, your host @realdrjen