this post was submitted on 24 May 2024
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Without more specifics to your scenario, let's say you're talking about we make a commutation device for gorillas and cetaceans since they are pretty intelligent, so the most likely to be the first ones we can talk to and understand each other.
Do we still have dominion over them?
Can we come into their homes and take things and trash the place? Do we compensate them?
Do we force our standards of behavior on them? If animals can fight for food and they want to eat your pet and for them might makes right, can a gorilla beat you up and take it? If not, why not?
If we learn they have feelings, a sense of family, or have beliefs where some plants, animals, places are untouchable, do we abide by that?
I think we open this door, we will not be ready for it. I feel it will be like if we discovered a resource rich planet full of sentient creatures with the intelligence of 6 year olds. How have humans done in those scenario before when they have come across those weaker than them? Will we have learned anything?
On a brighter note, if you have not heard of David Brin's Uplift series of books, you may want to check that out if you're a reader. I only read The Uplift War, but I enjoyed it.
Okay, but picture a fox approaching a henhouse and hearing the word "danger. Large threat." In no uncertain terms in language he fully comprehends. He doesn't need to alert the dog to know a member of his kin that he cannot see knows something he doesn't.
Imagine a line of buoys broadcasting and listening for migratory whale calls to properly time gaps in shipping lanes, able to say "loud scary thing soon" and warn pods.
Teaching dolphins to assist with garbage cleanup for food in special collection docks using words like "give junk for food."
We've learned to communicate with a select few animals already. Dogs, for instance, have millenia of experience learning our body language and vice versa, and we still hold dominion over them while elevating them in our ranking of sentience over, say, insects. If any other being can form the same level of two-way communication, we should treat them with more respect.
Lastly, imagine if extraterrestrials used your line of reasoning. We would be very fortunate indeed if our difference in mental capacity and communication skills were that between a human and a whale or a gorilla.
I love the way you think.