The Cultural Lives of Whales and Dolphins by Hal Whitehead and Luke Rendell

 

“On the planet Earth, man had always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much—the wheel, New York, wars and so on—while all the dolphins had ever done was muck about in the water having a good time. But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man—for precisely the same reasons.” Douglas Adams

  The authors of The Cultural Lives of Whales and Dolphins are scientists who spent several years researching dolphins and whales. Do not expect anything mystical or poetical about this book. It delves into the cultures of dolphins and whales through an objective exploration of their lifestyles.

  The introduction scrutinizes the meaning of culture, illuminating the concept from a variety of accepted human perspectives. The detailed account of what culture means to different people made me meditate on the impact of human cultures on the planet. The first part of the book also focuses on the significance and meaning of community and social learning. The analysis of these topics prepares the terrain to learn about whales and dolphins in subsequent chapters.

   The facts shared by these scientists opened my eyes to the incredible diversity of dolphins and whales, not only in numbers of species but also in the cultural diversity that exists within each species.

    If you have a special interest in dolphins, I highly recommend Voices in the Ocean by Susan Casey, which I reviewed nine years ago on My Writing Life blog. Unlike Voices in the Ocean, The Cultural Lives of Whales and Dolphins does not focus so much on anecdotes, but there are a few of them that I enjoyed reading. As you probably know, there have been many cases of dolphins and whales helping or rescuing humans in life-threatening situations. The authors share a few examples.

  There is the story of a sailor who fell overboard in rough seas during a sailing race in the Caribbean. The racing boats had to stop the race, but they were unable to spot the sailor. A group of dolphins approached the man, providing company and relief.

 “At about the same time one of the search boats noticed dolphins approaching and then moving off in a particular direction. They did this several times. The sailors on the search boat wondered whether it was some kind of signal and followed. They soon found the swimmer and his dolphin companions.”

  Some experts may argue that the actions of those dolphins were a result of their curiosity. However, empathy and life-saving actions toward non-human beings have also been witnessed and documented. “On March 12, 2008, Moko, a bottlenose dolphin, guided a mother-calf pair of pygmy sperm whales out of an intricate set of sandbars off the coast of New Zealand where they seemed hopelessly disoriented and trapped—rescue workers were considering euthanasia after the pair stranded themselves four times.” Thankfully, the bottlenose dolphin worked to rescue the whales. It was also thrilling to learn about a seal who was saved by a humpback whale when she was escaping from the predatory attack of a killer whale.

  It is important to remember that social learning happens not only within the communities of a specific species, but also among different animals. The study of the behaviors and interactions between species can also lead to a new understanding of actions consistent with cooperation and survival in the natural world. I have explored these concepts previously when I wrote about the book Sweet in Tooth and Claw. They are also discussed in the book by Suzanne Simard: Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest.

    Researching the behaviors of different animals is also a gateway to fathom various aspects of human nature. This is what happened to Frans de Waal, who published a book in 1982 about the behaviors of a chimpanzee community housed in seminatural conditions at Arnhem Zoo in the Netherlands. “He provocatively titled the book Chimpanzee Politics because he saw direct parallels between the power struggles and social maneuvering among the chimpanzees in the zoo and the behavior displayed by politicians all around the world.”

   Let’s keep learning about dolphins and whales and about other non-human beings who share the Earth with us.

  I am offering some supplementary links to inspire you to support whales and dolphins and the people who work to protect them:

 

An interview with Dr. Lori Marino:

https://savedolphins.eii.org/news/diving-deeper-into-the-whale-sanctuary-project-with-dr-lori-marino

https://savedolphins.eii.org/campaigns/sjd

https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2022.0562

 

 Photo by Talia Cohen; source: Unsplash

The Creative Lives of Animals by Carol Gigliotti

 

  How do non-human animals’ creative processes contribute to the diversity of the planet we share? This question guided Carol Gigliotti through the maze of writing The Creative Lives of Animals. I had this book in my reading list before it won the 2023 Nautilus Book Award in the category of Animals and Nature, so it was a pleasant surprise to learn about this recognition.

  The author examines the scientific research on the multiple ways non-human animals create, blending into her narrative  insights, reflections and memorable personal experiences.

 Based on her detailed work of research, Gigliotti asserts that animals are creative in ways that are similar to humans and decidedly unique.

 Before delving into the examples of creativity in animals, she explores the concept of creativity, acknowledging some of the qualities that make up the mosaic of creativity, such as flexibility, curiosity, intelligence, persistence and comfort with complexity. Her book also reflects on how creativity intersects with empathy, cooperation and morality.

 The creative process engages emotional aspects as well as cognitive ones.

 “If you created anything, whether that something is a favorite recipe, a garden plan, or a new app, you know that thoughts about the past, the future, and the feelings of others often arise in the creative process you used to make that dish, plan that garden, or design that new app, and may influence it.”

  Traditional views of creativity used to be restricted to focus on the most celebrated human artists, scientists and innovators, but the concept has expanded to appreciate the creativity of ordinary individuals and the cooperation among groups of people. How can creativity play a role in a community and impact a culture? How does creativity manifest in the world in ways that go beyond the human contribution?

 “The creativity of animals exists on the individual, group, species and ecosystem level, and the loss of an individual animal is the loss of that individual’s contribution to those interactions.”

 We are only one species out of millions of species who inhabit the earth. The chapters of the book describe acts of creativity in various species of animals. 

 Over the last five years research has evolved considerably in the field of animal behavior. Non-human animals are no longer viewed as automatons that follow natural instincts but as complex individuals with personalities, intelligence, emotions, and even aesthetic sensitivity.  There is still a lot to be learned about their complexity.

  “I made the decision to focus on the creativity of animals not in comparison or in contrast to human creativity but to see both as part of a ‘deep source’ of encompassing creativity. “

 One of the most memorable experiences she shares in The Creative Lives of Animals takes us back to a remote mysterious place where the lives of humans are deeply intertwined with those of animals. Respect and knowledge are at the core of their coexistence. Her days there “opened her eyes to animals as members of families and cultures”. Gigliotti stayed with the Kitasoo/Xai’xais in the village of Klemtu on the island of Princess Royal in northern British Columbia, home to the Spirit Bear. There are still no roads there. “The ratio of humans to land is quite low and so, compared to many places on earth, untouched by humans.” The unemployment rate was reduced from eighty percent to ten percent. Money is used to protect the people and the animals, and to sustain their communities. The Coastal Guardian Watchmen protect the wolves, bears, raptors and other animals from trophy hunting.

 Gigliotti spent many hours talking to the people at Klemtu to understand the relationship between the community of indigenous people and the animals who inhabit the tribal lands.

  Animals that are considered “ferocious”, evil” or “hunting trophies” by other human cultures are treated with respect in Klemtu. Doug, a former chief leader, as well as other bandmates are very knowledgeable about bears and other animals in the region, and their curiosity and understanding of bears contribute to a peaceful coexistence.  For example, they understand the bears’ reactions to different colors. They’d researched this by wearing different-colored clothes on different days.

  After an interesting journey by tugboat through glacier-carved fjords, a visitor asked Doug about a case he had been carrying. The visitor was convinced it was a gun. Nothing could be further from the truth. The case contained a camera. Guns would have made things tense; bears and other animals would have treated them with distrust if Doug had been carrying a gun. Those were not needed.

  Perhaps her book will inspire humans to embrace ideas and actions that appreciate and respect the unique lives of animals as contributors to the diversity of the world. This intriguing book will hopefully encourage the newer generations of people to open up in the direction of new paths of cooperation and empathy not only toward non-human animals but also toward each other.

 I am sharing a couple of videos about the region and culture I mentioned in my post: Klemtu.

This one is about bears in Klemtu:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTD4-FfRf3I

This one is about  how they have addressed unemployment and so much more:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3JLBcLXnNA

 

 

If you enjoyed this post, you may be inclined to read my reviews on the following books:

The Wisdom of Wolves by Jim and Jamie Dutcher.

Sweet inTooth and Claw by Kristin Ohlson.

Hyphened Nation: Don't check the box

 

“Do not allow yourself to be hyphenated. Do not stay in a box by checking the box.” Nicole Draffen

 In 2009 Nicole Draffen decided to run a marathon in Wales, and then she would visit London. Her stay in England, however, turned out to be a life-transforming experience.

 “Little did I suspect that trip would turn into a one- year-long stay; or that my desire to discover another culture would lead me to discover myself within the context of my own country.”

 It is refreshing to discover a writer who illuminates matters that are normally neglected and overlooked. An independent thinker is not afraid to face the truth and to inspire others to think outside of the box.  This is what Nicole Draffen does. She combines her experiences, her examination of US history and her wisdom to offer thought-provoking reflections and suggestions for social change.

   Born and raised in California, Nicole had the carefree attitude of every child belonging to a loving family. Children are not encased in the prejudices and stereotypes that society has in store for them. Nicole Draffen points it out well when she refers to her own childhood:

 “We smile and talk to everyone, wholeheartedly enjoying ourselves and never contemplating that others may be scrutinizing us as something different than what we know we are: ourselves…”

  As a child, Nicole Draffen was bombarded with social messages that tried to convince her that she belonged to a group for which society has preconceived notions and ideas. “I had already noticed the cartoons I loved on Saturday mornings, mostly ‘the Looney Tunes’ cast of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig, usually portrayed any brown character as an illiterate imbecile. Or they were streetwise hustlers, talking in jive, otherwise known as ‘negro slang,’ such as the black crows in Disney’s ‘Dumbo’ as well as King Luis in ‘The Jungle Book.’  Even at that age, it wasn’t hard to pick up on the less-than-subtle message that brown and black either meant dumb or token, superficial characters meant to be ridiculed.”

  The characters that people of color had to represent in American sitcoms did not reflect who she was. Nicole never allowed the negative stereotypes imposed by American television to influence her life, but she soon became aware of the ways in which the biases and stereotypes promoted by the American entertainment industry and ads played a role in how other people judged her and treated her. Without knowing it, however, she created a mantle of awareness, humor and resilience to protect herself and to adapt to the reality of being labeled as African-American, a term that does not even define the complexity of her roots: African, Scottish, French, and Native American.

  During her trip to England, there was no hyphen to define her. She was considered fully American. She was astonished and happy to see that British television did not show the stereotypes that American television ingrains in the American psyche. Also, interracial couples were a normal part of the social landscape, not an exotic element to be seen with distrust.

 I loved to read about her experiences abroad and how these experiences awakened her to her reality in America. She threads various situations, reflections and experiences into a compelling read. Furthermore, with every chapter of the book, she builds up motivation and enthusiasm to endeavor to work toward a better future together.

 Dissolving “the mantle” of defense she had developed throughout her life, her authentic self felt liberated, because in England she was viewed as fully American, not as a version of her identity that had been fabricated by the use of a hyphen. This enabled her to “engage in experiences with a clean slate free of preconceived notions and expectations.” The word “diversity” acquired a different meaning, one that felt more genuine to her.

  If you think that the negative stereotyping of minorities promoted by the American entertainment industry has no consequences, let me introduce you to the words of Dr. Paul Bloom, one of her Yale professors:

 “The problem is that there is a lot of evidence that even when we don’t want to rely on stereotypes, even when we consciously believe that we are not biased, nonetheless we are influenced by them and fall back upon them. In an interesting way, we are at war with ourselves.”

 Nicole Draffen explains that American president Theodore Roosevelt loathed the hyphen, which he felt was an international division of the races that undermined America. He made clear that one did not have to be born in American soil to love and respect the country.

 The use of the hyphen to classify Americans according to race and ethnicity is a way of dividing people and putting them into boxes.

 We should all dig deep into our consciousness and ask ourselves about the way we are conditioned to influence our judgments of a person by the use of a hyphen. It is imperative then to examine the effects of prejudices attached to race and ethnicity.

 After reading her book, I also feel compelled to highlight how an accent can pervade assessments about a person.  I encourage you to read the BBC article on this specific issue here.

  Hyphened Nation explores the roots of the US Constitution and emphasizes the need to get rid of the hyphen. It proposes steps to embrace our differences and to live up to the promises of equality, justice and freedom for all.

 Hyphened Nation is an excellent resource for teachers and scholars, a thought-provoking book to open up discussions on the need to treat everybody with equal respect.

Nicole Draffen does not believe in the pride in one’s skin color.

 “Pride in one’s skin color is one of the most divisive concepts in American history. This applies to all ethnicities. You should be proud of the person you are inside your skin.” Self-respect is what matters.

 Hyphened Nation is a refreshing read with deep insights, history exploration and an invitation to build a future of justice and equality for all.

“Our differences are what make us stronger when we come together, for we each bring something of our own to the metaphorical table, and to the project that I am calling ‘Don’t check the Box.’

 Hyphenating people limits our economic, educational, societal and cultural growth.

  I highly recommend Hyphened Nation. The book is a seed of transformation and hope to build a future in which each person is valued for their complexity and their own unique contributions to American society, irrespective of their ethnic and racial backgrounds.

 Honoree of three prestigious Literary Awards, The Independent Authors Network (IAN) Book of the Year Award 2021, the IndieBRAG B.R.A.G. Medallion and the Wishing Shelf Book Awards. The book has been translated to French, and you can also get the version in French.

 I thank the author for kindly sending me a copy of Hyphened Nation to write a review in My Writing Life.

 

 

  

 

Butterflies: Their Natural History and Diversity

 

 Butterfly lovers will be enchanted by this coffee table book by Ronald Orenstein and Thomas Marent (photographer). The exquisite photography showcases the images of butterflies from all over the world along with interesting facts about them.

 The symbolism of butterflies is as rich as the imagination of passionate artists. Different cultures attach various meanings to them. In Japan and Mexico, for example, butterfly life cycles represent birth, death and rebirth. Mexicans associate the arrival of Monarch butterflies on their wintering grounds with the souls of their ancestors; it coincides with the Day of the Dead.

 Different Native American cultures view butterflies as symbols of transformation, change, comfort and hope.

 Butterflies captivate the interest of scientists, artists and engineers. The study of these mesmerizing insects relates to aspects of technology and design. Butterflies offers several amazing facts about these intriguing creatures.

 You will probably be surprised to learn that Monarchs are not the only migratory butterflies. For example, whites, sulphurs and swallowtails are accomplished long-distance migrants.  

 Another remarkable example are the Painted Ladies (Vanessa cardui). Their route is much longer than that of the Monarchs. It involves a round trip from tropical Africa to the Arctic; as they cross the Mediterranean they are propelled by the tailwinds from North Africa.

  Adult Painted butterflies live only for a few weeks, so it takes six generations to complete the migratory cycle.

 Tropical butterflies migrate too. Butterflies from the forests of the northwest of Costa Rica migrate during the dry season toward humid areas.

 You may already be familiar with the migration of Monarch butterflies.

 

 Northern Monarch butterflies fly southward to their wintering grounds in central Mexico, although a few of them stay in Florida and Cuba. The following spring they migrate north again, but only one-tenth of them live long enough to return to the north. Most lay their eggs on southern milkweeds and die. Their offspring  head north in less than a month.

 Monarchs do not tolerate freezing temperatures, so they are well adapted to migration. Their wings are equipped for this purpose, and they have a structure in the brain that reacts to the position of the sun and the patterns of polarized light in the sky. There is also a so-called clock in the antenna that detects the sun’s position changes. The combined information from the clock and the compass in the brain keeps the butterflies on track toward their destination. Painted ladies, however, lack the antennal clock.

The variety of colorful butterflies and the incredible facts included in the book make the read fantastic; it sparks a sense of wonder to get to know butterflies in places we may never get to visit.

Meet the Panacea prola in Ecuador. They land on animals - humans included - to drink their sweat. They also drink from puddles, rotting wood or wet leaves.

The dazzling Dryas iulia can be found in the southern United States, Central America, the Caribbean and parts of South America (Brazil and Peru, for example). Males spend much of the day searching for females. They sip liquid and minerals from the eye secretions of caimans in Brazil and from the eyes of turtles in Peru. I had to find a photo to believe it. You can check it here:

 For Monarch butterflies the presence of milkweed is essential for the survival of their caterpillars. Without milkweed, Monarch butterflies will go extinct.

 

 In the American Midwest, vast fields of genetically modified herbicide - and - pesticide resistant- crops (corn, soybean and cotton) are sprayed with chemicals that destroy milkweed and kill off butterflies.

  Butterflies are disappearing in many parts of the world due to chemical pollution, habitat destruction and climate change.

The more we learn, the more we can support their survival.

Avoid spraying herbicides and pesticides in your yard; let wildflowers thrive. Plant milkweed to support Monarch butterflies

 There are various Citizen science projects in North America that study and protect butterflies: The Monarch Watch, The Western Monarch Count, The Vanessa Migration Project, and the Los Angeles Butterfly Survey are some examples.

  In Britain you can search for the United Kingdom Butterfly Monitoring Scheme and the New Millenium Project. Do your research where you live and learn what is going on there. You may come across opportunities to cooperate with projects.

 Find out what wildflowers in your area are beneficial to butterflies and plant something to support them. Whether you have a garden, a patio, a balcony or just a window sill, planting something can brighten up your space, support your mental health and attract butterflies.

Butterflies was published by Firefly Books.

 If you liked this post, feel free to read my writing on Bicycling with Butterflies.

Bicycling with Butterflies has a special place in my heart because it is the book that inspired me to come back to write book reviews.

Enjoy My Writing Life ride, and go plant some flowers.