Guest guest Posted September 12, 2002 Report Share Posted September 12, 2002 anji (anji) thought you would be interested in this article from http://www.theglobeandmail.com Get today's news delivered to your in-box. Sign up for our daily News Update! http://www.globeandmail.com/newsletter/ --\ ------------ From globeandmail.com, Thursday, September 12, 2002 Sure, but can they fly George Orwell was right about pigs. But he sold the chickens short. In Mr. Orwell's Animal Farm, the pigs lead a revolt to overthrow their human oppressor and take over the farm. Chickens are far down the pecking order, so to speak. New research by British scientists indicates that non-fictional pigs are, indeed, pretty bright, despite their propensity to wallow in filth. Just as Orwell suggested, pigs demonstrate " cunning " behaviour, use aggression to establish a social order, and can exploit colleagues to obtain food. Maybe Orwell's swine were onto something when they declared that " some animals are more equal than others. " But the same researchers say chickens aren't the dumb lackies Orwell described. They are more akin to the industrious poultry from the animated film Chicken Run, who build an airplane and quite literally fly the coop. It seems chickens learn from each other, can adapt their behaviour and can navigate. All of which suggests that while Orwell was right in putting his pigs into political office, he missed the mark with chickens. Given their seeming intelligence yet their propensity for laying eggs, perhaps Orwell should have made chickens his civil servants. Visit the globeandmail.com Web Centre, your competitive edge for breaking news stories as they happen. News: http://www.globeandmail.com Books: http://www.globebooks.com Careers: http://www.workopolis.com Mutual Funds: http://www.globefund.com Stocks: http://www.globeinvestor.com ROB Magazine: http://www.robmagazine.com Technology: http://www.globetechnology.com ROBTv: http://www.robtv.com Wheels: http://www.globemegawheels.com Copyright 2002 | Bell Globemedia Interactive Inc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.