Comments on: Mr. Rogers visits Koko http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 23 May 2013 20:32:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Mojave http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-514574 Mojave Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-514574 It really does not get any more wonderful than this. Thanks for the vid! It really does not get any more wonderful than this. Thanks for the vid!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-516129 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-516129 I still can't figure out why republicans hate Mr. Rogers. I still can’t figure out why republicans hate Mr. Rogers.

]]> By: Axx http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-515629 Axx Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-515629 I remember that episode! I had been interested in Koko ever since. Thanks to whoever dug this one up. (Mark?) I remember that episode! I had been interested in Koko ever since.

Thanks to whoever dug this one up. (Mark?)

]]> By: nanuq http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-514889 nanuq Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-514889 Visiting famous primates can be dangerous. Washoe, the signing chimpanzee, once freaked out and mangled the hand of eminent neurologist, Karl Pribram. The injury ended his surgery career. Visiting famous primates can be dangerous. Washoe, the signing chimpanzee, once freaked out and mangled the hand of eminent neurologist, Karl Pribram. The injury ended his surgery career.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-514897 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-514897 If he's a neurologist and he's doing surgery, that would be a big problem. Now if he were a neurosurgeon... If he’s a neurologist and he’s doing surgery, that would be a big problem. Now if he were a neurosurgeon…

]]> By: 6502programmer http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-514645 6502programmer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-514645 So, did Koko ask to see Mr. Rogers' moobs? So, did Koko ask to see Mr. Rogers’ moobs?

]]> By: mdh http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-515157 mdh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-515157 talking is a human construct, that does not mean ape's have nothing analagous. talking is a human construct, that does not mean ape’s have nothing analagous.

]]> By: Junglemonkey http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-514673 Junglemonkey Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-514673 I started crying the minute Mr. Rogers said "How lovely!" in response to Koko's greeting. I can only aspire to his kind of acceptance and love. I started crying the minute Mr. Rogers said “How lovely!” in response to Koko’s greeting. I can only aspire to his kind of acceptance and love.

]]> By: jathomas http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-514680 jathomas Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-514680 My favorite part is "Later that day..." And we come back to her cradling the small looking Fred Rogers in her lap. I couldn't stop smiling at how cute that was. I kept wanting to see the title come up "Still later..." only to cut to them taking a nap together. My favorite part is “Later that day…”

And we come back to her cradling the small looking Fred Rogers in her lap. I couldn’t stop smiling at how cute that was.

I kept wanting to see the title come up “Still later…” only to cut to them taking a nap together.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-515201 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-515201 later that evening.... was expecting to see koko atop the empire state building swatting away bi planes and clutching Mr Rogers in the other hand. later that evening…. was expecting to see koko atop the empire state building swatting away bi planes and clutching Mr Rogers in the other hand.

]]> By: mdh http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-514953 mdh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-514953 "is that a flower?" “is that a flower?”

]]> By: Architexas http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-515466 Architexas Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-515466 Anyone interested in simian language experiments should read "Nim Chimpsky: the Chimp Who Would be Human." It's fascinating, but also heartbreaking. From the looks of things, at least Koko's educators seem to have taken better care of her than Nim's did... I want to say BB did an article about this book, but I can't remember exactly. And for those of you who thinks apes can't use language just because the language was imparted to them by humans: how the hell did you learn to talk? Unless your name is Mowgli and you were raised by wolves... Anyone interested in simian language experiments should read “Nim Chimpsky: the Chimp Who Would be Human.” It’s fascinating, but also heartbreaking. From the looks of things, at least Koko’s educators seem to have taken better care of her than Nim’s did…

I want to say BB did an article about this book, but I can’t remember exactly.

And for those of you who thinks apes can’t use language just because the language was imparted to them by humans: how the hell did you learn to talk? Unless your name is Mowgli and you were raised by wolves…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-514972 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-514972 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ape_language#Criticisms_of_primate_language_research Not that it isn't a lovely clip, and great apes are fascinating. But please, enough of the language-myth. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ape_language#Criticisms_of_primate_language_research

Not that it isn’t a lovely clip, and great apes are fascinating. But please, enough of the language-myth.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-514728 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-514728 I so fucking love Mister Rogers. He's a man I wish I was more like. I so fucking love Mister Rogers. He’s a man I wish I was more like.

]]> By: apoxia http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-515758 apoxia Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-515758 hmmm, I didn't grow up with Mr Rogers (not on TV here in NZ), therefore I have no sentimental attachment. He looked kinda scared to me, I know I would have been. hmmm, I didn’t grow up with Mr Rogers (not on TV here in NZ), therefore I have no sentimental attachment. He looked kinda scared to me, I know I would have been.

]]> By: Roast Beef http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-515503 Roast Beef Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-515503 Koko + Mr. Rogers = the best thing that's happened to me today. Thank you. Once we were all preverbal primates who initially learned to use language through <a href="http://www.boingboing.net/2009/06/09/preturnaturally-verb.html">rote imitation</a>. Koko + Mr. Rogers = the best thing that’s happened to me today. Thank you.

Once we were all preverbal primates who initially learned to use language through rote imitation.

]]> By: mofembot http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-515504 mofembot Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-515504 What a lovely man Fred Rogers was — authentic on-camera and off. My older kids got to meet him at an art show once. He talked to them in the same slow, careful way he always spoke on his show, saying to them, "I guess it must seem strange to see me not on TV." He was completely engaged and "in the moment" with them. When we were in the process of moving to France, my youngest wrote him a letter about her concerns, and he sent her a beautiful, thoughtful, personal letter empathizing with her fears and offering good advice and encouragement. The world was a better place while he was in it. What a lovely man Fred Rogers was — authentic on-camera and off. My older kids got to meet him at an art show once. He talked to them in the same slow, careful way he always spoke on his show, saying to them, “I guess it must seem strange to see me not on TV.” He was completely engaged and “in the moment” with them.

When we were in the process of moving to France, my youngest wrote him a letter about her concerns, and he sent her a beautiful, thoughtful, personal letter empathizing with her fears and offering good advice and encouragement.

The world was a better place while he was in it.

]]> By: pinehead http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-514758 pinehead Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-514758 Did you catch that about the cuff links? Mr. Rogers was rather advanced in age at the time, but he said his grandfather gave him those cuff links. It seems like a small detail, but it hints at his personality. He was a good man. If there is something like a Heaven, then I hope he's there. Him and Jim Henson. I would enjoy meeting Koko, too. But she's so much bigger and stronger than a human, and I'd be worried that I would offend her in some ignorant way and end up getting my head crushed. Did you catch that about the cuff links? Mr. Rogers was rather advanced in age at the time, but he said his grandfather gave him those cuff links. It seems like a small detail, but it hints at his personality. He was a good man. If there is something like a Heaven, then I hope he’s there. Him and Jim Henson.

I would enjoy meeting Koko, too. But she’s so much bigger and stronger than a human, and I’d be worried that I would offend her in some ignorant way and end up getting my head crushed.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-515014 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-515014 Anonymous, You just referenced the only section of the Wikipedia article on ape language that doesn't cite any references. I believe that you are exhibiting rudimentary selection bias. Or possibly hitting keys in rote sequence in order to earn a banana. Anonymous,

You just referenced the only section of the Wikipedia article on ape language that doesn’t cite any references. I believe that you are exhibiting rudimentary selection bias. Or possibly hitting keys in rote sequence in order to earn a banana.

]]> By: FreakCitySF http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-514759 FreakCitySF Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-514759 My mom worked at the SF zoo and helped raise Koko before Penny adopted her. I've tried emailing the gorilla foundation at http://www.koko.org but they don't ever have public visits. So unless you're a celeb you ain't seeing Koko. They are located in Woodside, California, not to far from the Tank museum tour Todd Lapin did a week ago. I would love to surprise my mom with a visit with Koko, we can bring pictures of baby Koko, I need boingboing's star power ;) If Jesse James of Monster Garage can visit Koko, Xeni/Lapin can surely do this :), I don't want to have to undress though, that's a bit of a sore spot as it happened recently. My mom worked at the SF zoo and helped raise Koko before Penny adopted her. I’ve tried emailing the gorilla foundation at http://www.koko.org but they don’t ever have public visits. So unless you’re a celeb you ain’t seeing Koko. They are located in Woodside, California, not to far from the Tank museum tour Todd Lapin did a week ago. I would love to surprise my mom with a visit with Koko, we can bring pictures of baby Koko, I need boingboing’s star power ;) If Jesse James of Monster Garage can visit Koko, Xeni/Lapin can surely do this :), I don’t want to have to undress though, that’s a bit of a sore spot as it happened recently.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-515019 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-515019 @17 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panbanisha Things have moved quite a bit further since the days of ASL experiments. @17

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panbanisha

Things have moved quite a bit further since the days of ASL experiments.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-514764 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-514764 My parents didn't want us watching <i>Mr. Rogers,</i> as I recall. At the time I imagined it was some kind of judgment about what was a positive influence on the kids, since grown-ups often made such judgments that made no obvious sense to me. Now I think they just didn't like the show. Like, it wasn't entertaining <i>to them,</i> the way e.g. <i>Sesame Street</i> was. Kinda like <i>Barney</i> I guess. They didn't like Disney cartoons either, now I know why. Bugs Bunny rules. My parents didn’t want us watching Mr. Rogers, as I recall. At the time I imagined it was some kind of judgment about what was a positive influence on the kids, since grown-ups often made such judgments that made no obvious sense to me.

Now I think they just didn’t like the show. Like, it wasn’t entertaining to them, the way e.g. Sesame Street was. Kinda like Barney I guess. They didn’t like Disney cartoons either, now I know why. Bugs Bunny rules.

]]> By: CraigGNoble http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-514767 CraigGNoble Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-514767 Fred Rogers. I can't think of any other better reason to be human. Fred Rogers. I can’t think of any other better reason to be human.

]]> By: mdh http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-515024 mdh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-515024 language is a human construct, that does not mean ape's have nothing analogous. language is a human construct, that does not mean ape’s have nothing analogous.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-514516 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-514516 Two people I love: Fred and Koko. Two people I love: Fred and Koko.

]]> By: Darren Garrison http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-514778 Darren Garrison Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-514778 But did she grab his balls? http://startrekspace.blogspot.com/2009/01/koko-and-bill-make-special-connection.html But did she grab his balls?

http://startrekspace.blogspot.com/2009/01/koko-and-bill-make-special-connection.html

]]> By: Jack Daniel http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-514792 Jack Daniel Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-514792 I wanna meet the guy who decided that carpet bombing that clip with synth rock was a good idea. I wanna meet the guy who decided that carpet bombing that clip with synth rock was a good idea.

]]> By: wylkyn http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-514552 wylkyn Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-514552 I've wanted to meet Koko since I was a kid. I know many people think that her signing is just a trained response, but she has shown evidence of creative uses of signs beyond that expectation. Things like creating words for things that she doesn't yet know the sign for ("face hat" for a mask), naming her kitten, describing a dream that woke her up crying (alligators behind my eyes) and so on. This could be all imagined or created by the lead researcher (I forget her name...Penny?), but that seems more of a stretch to me than the idea that another ape could have similar language ability. I did a speech on Koko for my college speech course back in the 80s. I only got a B because the teacher said that my visual aid, a friend in a gorilla costume, distracted from the material being presented. :) I’ve wanted to meet Koko since I was a kid. I know many people think that her signing is just a trained response, but she has shown evidence of creative uses of signs beyond that expectation. Things like creating words for things that she doesn’t yet know the sign for (“face hat” for a mask), naming her kitten, describing a dream that woke her up crying (alligators behind my eyes) and so on. This could be all imagined or created by the lead researcher (I forget her name…Penny?), but that seems more of a stretch to me than the idea that another ape could have similar language ability.

I did a speech on Koko for my college speech course back in the 80s. I only got a B because the teacher said that my visual aid, a friend in a gorilla costume, distracted from the material being presented. :)

]]> By: ricket http://boingboing.net/2009/06/09/mr-rogers-visits-kok.html#comment-515068 ricket Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-515068 Anonymous #17 is right. You can all keep on wishing that Koko "talks", but the linguists know better. Anonymous #17 is right. You can all keep on wishing that Koko “talks”, but the linguists know better.

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