Octopuses as Intelligent Aliens from Space: What?
with Dr. Jennifer Mather
July 30, 2022 16:00 BST/ 11:00 EDT/ 08:00 PST
Octopuses as Intelligent Aliens from Space: What?
Dr Jennifer Mather has been studying the behaviour of octopuses, particularly their intelligence, for over 40 years. Their intelligence is different and separate from that of the mammals that we know well. But is that any reason to declare them aliens and decide they came from outer space? This presentation looks at the evidence.
About the Speaker:
Jennifer has worked for 50 years on the behaviour and cognition of cephalopods, especially octopuses. She began with a BSc and MSc in Marine Biology, then switched to Psychology for her PhD. Her lab work has included studies of personalities, play, movement analysis, recognition of individual humans, and the construction of an octopus ethogram. Her field work has taken her to Hawaii, Bermuda, Bonaire, Okinawa, and Moorea.
Lately, she has begun to investigate the possibilities of consciousness in cephalopods and has also become a leader in exploring and advocating for invertebrate welfare.
