25-7-25 - koko
I learned something new today but I forgot what it is because I’m writing this at night
You know correct me if I’m wrong but I read somewhere that in the 80’s or something Americans for some reason started exploring communications with gorillas through sign language
The most popular experiment that came out of it (or kickstarted the popularity i don’t know) was Koko who supposedly understood over 1000 signs of American Sign Language and understood 2000 words of spoken English
Now if you look at some of the footage of the main person in charge of training her, Francine Patterson, actually interacting with her it seems relatively genuine. See here an example of what I’m talking about.
Because I’m not a person heavily invested in psychology or behaviour or whatever I’m not exactly qualified to say much, but it’s clear that Koko was intelligent. Though this is called into question by people who say that she’s purely reacting like this in order to get rewarded with food.
Ultimately the scientific consensus was that she wasn’t able to comprehend grammar or syntax which one needs in order to grasp true language. Shamelessly ripped from Wikipedia.
OK but what is the point of this? You’re not adding anything new to the conversation. I’m sorry but you’re just regurgitating already-known information
That’s right. Bye.