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Author Topic:   Spiders are intelligent
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1405 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 77 of 147 (446619)
01-06-2008 6:27 PM
Reply to: Message 74 by molbiogirl
01-06-2008 6:19 PM


Re: Maybe towards a distinction
But something I have observed is that spiders make use of windows and mirrors (like car wing mirrors) to build their webs, improving the chance that a bug would blunder.
This is ridiculous, Sin. You can't read a spider's mind.
The use of windows and mirrors would not necessarily increase the likelihood of bugs getting caught in the net.
What has likely evolved is a penchant for building webs across open spaces - as windows and mirrors would appear to be to a spider and many bugs.
That doesn't make it intelligent, especially when the windows and mirrors are cleaned regularly.
Enjoy.

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This message is a reply to:
 Message 74 by molbiogirl, posted 01-06-2008 6:19 PM molbiogirl has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 83 by sinequanon, posted 01-06-2008 6:41 PM RAZD has replied
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RAZD
Member (Idle past 1405 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 94 of 147 (446653)
01-06-2008 8:43 PM
Reply to: Message 83 by sinequanon
01-06-2008 6:41 PM


Re: Maybe towards a distinction
Matter of opinion, but I don't find your argument coherent.
Sorry, I didn't think I needed to spell it out ...
If it's about open spaces then bugs also fly into open spaces, hence more bugs.
Hence the evolved behavior to build across open spaces, perhaps that is why I said:
quote:
What has likely evolved is a penchant for building webs across open spaces ...
And then noted that both the spider and the bugs could confuse windows and mirrors with open spaces.
Perhaps you intended to say that the spider can't tell the difference between glass and open space, and so is only behaving as normal?
Do you think it can? Ever watch one build a web near a window and intentionally use the window pane?
I don't know about you, but when I observe a fly in a room it spends much more time buzzing against the window than it does against a wall. If I want to swat the fly, I stand by the window.
Because the fly obviously sees the window as an open space. Just as the spider does.
The fact that the spider never learns to stop building there when the windows are cleaned speaks against intelligence in making that choice.
I also find that the number of flies is greater outdoors than indoors, so an intelligent spider would stay outdoors eh? More flies, fewer cleaned windows, higher yield for less expenditure of energy.
Enjoy.

Join the effort to solve medical problems, AIDS/HIV, Cancer and more with Team EvC! (click)

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAAmericanOZen[Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 83 by sinequanon, posted 01-06-2008 6:41 PM sinequanon has replied

Replies to this message:
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RAZD
Member (Idle past 1405 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 137 of 147 (447276)
01-08-2008 5:38 PM
Reply to: Message 136 by bluegenes
01-08-2008 4:57 PM



This message is a reply to:
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