Jared Diamond is the author of a book called the Guns, Germs and Steel which is now considered a classic!
In this Diamond argues geographic, climatic and environmental characteristics which favored early development of stable agricultural societies ultimately led to immunity to diseases endemic in agricultural animals and the development of powerful, organized states capable of dominating others!
Then in another novel called The Third Chimpanzee he describes Viki!
In the novel the Third Chimpanzee refers to you and me!
There is only a difference of 1 percent in our genes!
We are chimps 99 percent and humans only 1! Which maybe why sometimes we monkey around so much!
So anyway Jared Diamond describes a girl called Viki trained by scientists in the late 1940s and early 1950s, Keith and Catherine Hayes of the Yerkes Laboratory.
With the Hayes moving her lips for her, Viki learned to utter “mama.” Eventually, with much difficulty, she managed to say three other words—papa, cup and up—on her own!
Unfortunately Viki died at the age of seven from viral meningitis.
But still it was pretty amazing that she spoke so many words!
Something does not add up right! It is sad that Viki got meningitis at the age of 7 but to be able to speak simple words is pretty normal right!? What is so amazing!?
Well, Viki was a chimpanzee!
Of course these examples are rare and for now humans are the only apes who speak with intent and sometimes without a good one!
As Jared says, it is that one percent difference which make us ‘Humans’!
Now of course only a human can draw a caricature or cartoon of another human! Like my idol R K Laxman! A humble ode to his legendary ‘common man’!
Shubh ratri!
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