Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

Well, there brains can handle 8 arms all moving independently and with many control points in each arm all acting with out pattern. Can humans do that?

Before we jump on the intelligent octopus bandwagon, lets realize that intelligence in one area does not mean they are intelligent or some how superior in another. Qualification and acceptance in society transcends beyond intelligence.




My understanding is that octopus arms are semi-autonomous and borderline 'intelligent' on their own. Each one is equipped with a sophisticated nervous system and can process a wide swath of sensory inputs. Severed octopus arms have been shown to behave as though they are connected to the intact octopus's brain. [1]

[1] http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/octopus-chronicles/even-...


Humans can tell where their appendages are without looking at them and can use this ability to form mental images of objects by touch.

The cost of being able to manipulate 8 arms is octopus arms don't provide a lot of feedback to the brain and handle a lot of things reflexively.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: