I think it is a certain perspective. A perspective that includes the option of abstract thought.
Comment on Reading is consciousness-altering and a bit toxic.
Lembot_0003@lemmy.zip 4 weeks ago
Abstract thinking is what differentiates humans from most animals.
Plesiohedron@lemmy.cafe 4 weeks ago
givesomefucks@lemmy.world 4 weeks ago
Lots of animals can think abstractly.
What separates humans from animals is communication and tool use. Obviously other animals can, but none come close to humans in either category.
Books is a huge example of both. Humans don’t have to figure out complicated concepts each on our own. The Internet is that on steroids, someone on the other side of the planet can read this post the second I hit “reply”.
That exchange of information through tools is why we’re ordering Taco Bell thru Uber from the couch instead of still chasing animals till they pass out.
Whether or not that’s a good thing for us and the planet tho…