Comments on: Octopuses play with Rubik's Cubes http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:40:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: mamayama http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-228873 mamayama Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-228873 If they find a way to hide a tasty bit of crab in the cube, and have it pop open when solved, my bet is on the octopus. If they find a way to hide a tasty bit of crab in the cube, and have it pop open when solved, my bet is on the octopus.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-229921 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229921 isnt it true octopi mate by holding hands? isnt it true octopi mate by holding hands?

]]> By: Chevan http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-229670 Chevan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229670 I'll be very surprised if it does solve the puzzle. My experience with the animals is that although they're strong and very willing to manipulate objects, they do so haphazardly. The one I worked with opened jars, but it didn't unscrew them. Instead, it just pried at it until it ripped the lid off the threads. The cube is more likely to have pieces ripped apart than be solved. I’ll be very surprised if it does solve the puzzle. My experience with the animals is that although they’re strong and very willing to manipulate objects, they do so haphazardly. The one I worked with opened jars, but it didn’t unscrew them. Instead, it just pried at it until it ripped the lid off the threads.

The cube is more likely to have pieces ripped apart than be solved.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-229926 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229926 It is like having a mouth full of rubber bands, but the Wasabe and Kikoman makes it worth the effort. It is like having a mouth full of rubber bands, but the Wasabe and Kikoman makes it worth the effort.

]]> By: michael1013 http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-229927 michael1013 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229927 jst hd t sgn p!! t tll crtn dt my thghts , d nt knw hw dtc yr cmnt cn b chvn !! m vry mprssd wth th fct tht y wrk wth nmls !! gt t y cld jst s sy hv sd s , nd qnch yr thrst t sy b hrd by yr fllw brd sls tht hv nthng bttr t d ( th lks f m) ... mn bt t ctlly sy tht ths mrn dmb blb f ntllgnt blb clld ctp r ctpsss my fvrt, cld slv th pzzl , bcs sm pr sp jst hppnd t ctlly sy smthng qt mzng n srcstc wy... mn !! nd y hd t nslt th whl vlvd spcs w cll hmns , by ctlly thnkng th f..ng ctp mght slv th f..ng pzzl... mn hv t lght cgrtt !! nd dn't fc..ng smk!!! jst hd t sgn p!! t tll crtn dt my thghts , d nt knw hw dtc yr cmnt cn b chvn !! m vry mprssd wth th fct tht y wrk wth nmls !! gt t y cld jst s sy hv sd s , nd qnch yr thrst t sy b hrd by yr fllw brd sls tht hv nthng bttr t d ( th lks f m) … mn bt t ctlly sy tht ths mrn dmb blb f ntllgnt blb clld ctp r ctpsss my fvrt, cld slv th pzzl , bcs sm pr sp jst hppnd t ctlly sy smthng qt mzng n srcstc wy… mn !! nd y hd t nslt th whl vlvd spcs w cll hmns , by ctlly thnkng th f..ng ctp mght slv th f..ng pzzl… mn hv t lght cgrtt !! nd dn’t fc..ng smk!!!

]]> By: kwing http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-228907 kwing Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-228907 Aquarium staff have told me that a bored octopus is a dead octopus. YouTube has plenty of footage of octopuses unscrewing jars to get at food, and I've seen dog toys in tanks before for the octopi to explore. A Rubik's cube seems too flat to me for octopus interest -- why not a magic snake or legos? Aquarium staff have told me that a bored octopus is a dead octopus. YouTube has plenty of footage of octopuses unscrewing jars to get at food, and I’ve seen dog toys in tanks before for the octopi to explore. A Rubik’s cube seems too flat to me for octopus interest — why not a magic snake or legos?

]]> By: snowraver1 http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-228653 snowraver1 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-228653 Aren't multiple octopuses octopi? Aren’t multiple octopuses octopi?

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-228909 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-228909 yes, octopi-pedean-pussies are highly intelligent, easily bored, emotionally vulnerable and naturally blessed with unique physiology.... just try to get them to shut up for five minutes. yes, octopi-pedean-pussies are highly intelligent, easily bored, emotionally vulnerable and naturally blessed with unique physiology…. just try to get them to shut up for five minutes.

]]> By: David Pescovitz http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-228658 David Pescovitz Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-228658 Ha! I checked myself actually and it appears that both are <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/octopus">correct</a>. Ha! I checked myself actually and it appears that both are correct.

]]> By: Nelson.C http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-228659 Nelson.C Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-228659 No. Properly, they would be <i>octopodes,</i> perhaps. But you may as well use English grammar rules as the little-remembered rules of a dead language. No. Properly, they would be octopodes, perhaps. But you may as well use English grammar rules as the little-remembered rules of a dead language.

]]> By: derdin http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-229941 derdin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229941 murderface, you said it- HELLO, VIDEO ?!?!? murderface, you said it- HELLO, VIDEO ?!?!?

]]> By: Nelson.C http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-228663 Nelson.C Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-228663 Oops, I meant to add this link to <a href="http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/000813.html" rel="nofollow">Language Log,</a> which also suggests the delightful <i>octopussies.</i> Oops, I meant to add this link to Language Log, which also suggests the delightful octopussies.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-229953 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229953 more than likely the octopus will throw the cube out of the tank and hit someone with it as if to say 'you solve the damn thing.' then some kid will do it in about 20 seconds. more than likely the octopus will throw the cube out of the tank and hit someone with it as if to say ‘you solve the damn thing.’ then some kid will do it in about 20 seconds.

]]> By: Murderface http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-228674 Murderface Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-228674 Never has a story so direly needed video. What the hell, people? Never has a story so direly needed video. What the hell, people?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-229957 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229957 I fantasize about being the pet of an intelligent octopus-like species from another planet. They take much better care of me than we do of ourselves. I get only fresh organic food, and have lots to entertain me. I spend a lot of time demonstrating to them that I am indeed intelligent. They don't buy it. I fantasize about being the pet of an intelligent octopus-like species from another planet. They take much better care of me than we do of ourselves. I get only fresh organic food, and have lots to entertain me. I spend a lot of time demonstrating to them that I am indeed intelligent. They don’t buy it.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-229958 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229958 @Michael1013, I think your comment made my head explode. @Michael1013,

I think your comment made my head explode.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-229959 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229959 I stopped eating them after one nearly killed me. I stopped eating them after one nearly killed me.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-409928 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-409928 perhaps one could give the octopussy a typewriter, and see how long it takes to type up some shakespeare. maybe it couldnt ever,.. perhaps though if you crossed an octopus with a monkey, a monkey with 4 asses, it might type out shake'A'spear if destiny prevailed. however i suspect more than likely it type out some more Lovecraft to add to the mythos. :<~>~~ perhaps one could give the octopussy a typewriter, and see how long it takes to type up some shakespeare. maybe it couldnt ever,.. perhaps though if you crossed an octopus with a monkey, a monkey with 4 asses, it might type out shake’A'spear if destiny prevailed. however i suspect more than likely it type out some more Lovecraft to add to the mythos. :< ~>~~

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-229961 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229961 maybe the rubiks cude designers should hide food inside the cube and see if it will attract the octopuses attention into wanting to solve it. inspiration. maybe the rubiks cude designers should hide food inside the cube and see if it will attract the octopuses attention into wanting to solve it.
inspiration.

]]> By: cannv25 http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-229963 cannv25 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229963 If you give him a fountain pen maybe he will write the solution to Rubik's Cube with his ink....people we need a video !!!!!! If you give him a fountain pen maybe he will write the solution to Rubik’s Cube with his ink….people we need a video !!!!!!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-229964 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229964 #29 Dude, I actually understood some of that... Go human intellect! But I can't solve a Rubix Cube... #29
Dude, I actually understood some of that… Go human intellect! But I can’t solve a Rubix Cube…

]]> By: anniechatter http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-229968 anniechatter Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229968 They have a lot of appendages, are both smart and rubbery, and it's true they won't shut up. This would all be very impressive if they weren't also notorious liars and braggarts. If one ever tells you it solved a rubik's cube, don't believe a word of it. Do try it with olive oil and lemongrass, though. They have a lot of appendages, are both smart and rubbery, and it’s true they won’t shut up. This would all be very impressive if they weren’t also notorious liars and braggarts. If one ever tells you it solved a rubik’s cube, don’t believe a word of it. Do try it with olive oil and lemongrass, though.

]]> By: Stuart Ellis http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-228696 Stuart Ellis Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-228696 They can add the Rubik's Cube to their toy collection... Did they already give them Mr. Potato Heads already? http://www.boingboing.net/2008/01/11/octopus-jealously-gu.html They can add the Rubik’s Cube to their toy collection…

Did they already give them Mr. Potato Heads already?

http://www.boingboing.net/2008/01/11/octopus-jealously-gu.html

]]> By: Pipenta http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-228952 Pipenta Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-228952 Nautili (nautiluses, nautilodes? No way.) have ~ 50, albeit tentacles not arms/legs. I'm afraid they are not very bright, as cephalopods go. They are pretty primitive cephs. To paraphrase Claudius, apparently it is quality of appendage rather than quantity (or size) that matters. Nautili (nautiluses, nautilodes? No way.) have ~ 50, albeit tentacles not arms/legs. I’m afraid they are not very bright, as cephalopods go. They are pretty primitive cephs.

To paraphrase Claudius, apparently it is quality of appendage rather than quantity (or size) that matters.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-229980 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229980 Okay time out... Its octopi, octopods, octopuses... They are all correct. Octopus only live anywhere from 2-5 years and if you have ever been to a aquarium that does NOT work with them they are a very bored, inactive specimen (which is why you hardly see them if they are given a "hiding spot". Nautilus on the other hand do have tentacles. But as primitive as they may be they are one of the most difficult animals to breed in captivity and they have been around for millions of years. They have changed mostly in size but the main organs and functions have stayed the same over the years. They are also the closest living relative to an Octopus. So don't hate on them because they are primitive. They are very fasinating creatures of the deep. If you care to actually learn about what your talking about do research or go to an AZA registered institution. Okay time out… Its octopi, octopods, octopuses… They are all correct. Octopus only live anywhere from 2-5 years and if you have ever been to a aquarium that does NOT work with them they are a very bored, inactive specimen (which is why you hardly see them if they are given a “hiding spot”.

Nautilus on the other hand do have tentacles. But as primitive as they may be they are one of the most difficult animals to breed in captivity and they have been around for millions of years. They have changed mostly in size but the main organs and functions have stayed the same over the years. They are also the closest living relative to an Octopus. So don’t hate on them because they are primitive. They are very fasinating creatures of the deep.

If you care to actually learn about what your talking about do research or go to an AZA registered institution.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-229989 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229989 nautiluses "fascinatin" eh? Jest a bunch of bleeding, jumped-up ammonites! nautiluses “fascinatin” eh? Jest a bunch of bleeding, jumped-up ammonites!

]]> By: mgfarrelly http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-228711 mgfarrelly Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-228711 They should try all kinds of toys. I say this I can't get the mental image of some poor confused Octops getting scarbble tiles and a board dumped into it's tank. I always knew he first interspecies communication would consist of "What the hell is wrong with you people?" They should try all kinds of toys.

I say this I can’t get the mental image of some poor confused Octops getting scarbble tiles and a board dumped into it’s tank.

I always knew he first interspecies communication would consist of “What the hell is wrong with you people?”

]]> By: Torporous http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-229223 Torporous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229223 @26 I believe Martha Stewart did a show on testicles in various dressings. Christmas 1999? I will say that I prefer a warm dressing for my own fellas. I can't eat octopi, they are too smart and generally a little too rubbery. I think its really nice that Octopus keepers are trying to make life better for those they care for. @26 I believe Martha Stewart did a show on testicles in various dressings. Christmas 1999? I will say that I prefer a warm dressing for my own fellas.

I can’t eat octopi, they are too smart and generally a little too rubbery.

I think its really nice that Octopus keepers are trying to make life better for those they care for.

]]> By: Morgi http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-229995 Morgi Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229995 "I fantasize about being the pet of an intelligent octopus-like species from another planet." NOOOO!!!!! Have you not heard of ilithids, man?!?! Octopus-headed, purple-skinned, humanoid, psychic BRAIN EATERS!!!!?!??!!? No thanks. I'll take mine with ranch dressing or soy sauce. “I fantasize about being the pet of an intelligent octopus-like species from another planet.”

NOOOO!!!!! Have you not heard of ilithids, man?!?! Octopus-headed, purple-skinned, humanoid, psychic BRAIN EATERS!!!!?!??!!? No thanks. I’ll take mine with ranch dressing or soy sauce.

]]> By: JohnC http://boingboing.net/2008/07/08/octopuses-play-with.html#comment-228724 JohnC Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-228724 Wow I was just going to post the same thing, this post is crying out for a picture or a video. :) Wow I was just going to post the same thing, this post is crying out for a picture or a video. :)

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