All About Animals discussion

Discuss Alex & Me here.

A fast and fascinating read. Great choice!

*****SPOILER ALERT*****

I acknowledge that Pepperberg loved Alex, that he loved her, and that her work may result in better treatment for animals. But at one point she describes Alex's favorite activity as gazing through a window at a bird-filled tree outside. So I had to wonder: Given a choice, would Alex have chosen life in a lab or life in a tree?

Susan wrote: "A fast and fascinating read. Great choice!

*****SPOILER ALERT*****

I acknowledge that Pepperberg loved Alex, that he loved her, and that her work may result in better treatment for animals. But a..."

Susan, I haven't read it yet, but will try to get to it sometime the a week or two and will get back to you on this.

Susan wrote: "A fast and fascinating read. Great choice!

*****SPOILER ALERT*****

I acknowledge that Pepperberg loved Alex, that he loved her, and that her work may result in better treatment for animals. But a..."

I think in a perfect world, Alex could have had an area where he could have associated with other birds, in a tree, even if it was in an enclosed courtyard at her facility.

The thing that struck me the most about this book was that there is obvious cognitive thought process on Alex's part. People say "birdbrain" to describe somebody who is stupid, but there is nothing stupid about Alex. He even showed a sense of humor, which is a measure of high intelligence.

Cayr wrote: "Susan wrote: "A fast and fascinating read. Great choice!

*****SPOILER ALERT*****

I acknowledge that Pepperberg loved Alex, that he loved her, and that her work may result in better treatment for ..."

I can't wait to start on this book.

Okay I found these questions online by "LitLovers" about this book. Trying to generate discussions.

1. Would you like to have understood more about Pepperberg herself? She reveals little about her parents, failed marriage, and relationships with colleagues. Nor does she explain, as one critic puts it: "how she ended up in her 50s, alone and jobless, reduced to eating 14 tofu meals a week (to save money, not the earth). Her approach to herself is neither scientific nor humanistic: the woman remains an enigma."

#2. Talk about the scientific community, which initially rejected Pepperberg's observations and papers about Alex. Why? What did Pepperberg have to overcome to prove the scientific worth of her work with birds, especially Alex?

#3. Questions have been raised about Pepperberg's cruelty of confining to a cage a creature that has the cognitive skills of a 5-year-old. Where do you stand on this?

#4. When reading about Alex, did you get the sense that he reminded you of "someone you know?"

#5. Discuss the degree of Pepperberg's grief over Alex's death. What is so profound about his dying—or the dying of any beloved pet ? Might Alex's death be different than a dog or cat?

#6. What is the connection—the degree of affection—that bonds humans to? How can it be explained...whether cat or dog or bird or ferret or horse? Why are animals or birds so deeply appealing to humans...and what makes them relate to us?

Barbara wrote: "#2. Talk about the scientific community, which initially rejected Pepperberg's observations and papers about Alex. Why? What did Pepperberg have to overcome to prove the scientific worth of her wo..."

Whenever a scientist is studying an animal, they have to be very careful to observe without anthropomorphizing. The second it sounds like the latter, the scientific community rejects the study. This is unfortunate, because one of the only ways we can make sense of others' behavior is by in comparing it to the motivations of our own.

Susan wrote: "A fast and fascinating read. Great choice!

*****SPOILER ALERT*****

I acknowledge that Pepperberg loved Alex, that he loved her, and that her work may result in better treatment for animals. But a..."

I don't know why he couldn't have had both. Why couldn't they have set up an enclosed area with a tree in it, so Alex could have that experience? I don't think it's ever "better" for an animal to be out of their natural habitat, unless they were rescued as an injured animal and needed rehabilitation.

Barbara wrote: "#5. Discuss the degree of Pepperberg's grief over Alex's death. What is so profound about his dying—or the dying of any beloved pet ? Might Alex's death be different than a dog or cat?"

Losing a pet is profound because the relationship we have with them is on a different level. We never have to pretend with them, or try to present ourselves in the best light...we are true and honest with them and they accept us and love us regardless of our faults. It creates a unique bond without pretenses. Losing that unconditional acceptance is profound.

I thought this was a lovely book. I had the fortune to be able to hear Irene speak at a conference where she was the surprise speaker. She was so fascinating. This was truly a unique and valued experience and I'm so glad she is sharing the story with the word.

I have already bought the book. It is lying on my desk. This means it has a good chance to be read in the foreseeable future.

I read this book when it came out and enjoyed it very much. Pepperberg has faced many criticisms of her work -- was it a worth scientific pursuit, was her work with Alex humane, did she use the best methods? etc. She forged a new area of science, had great courage in doing her work as she determined proper, and discovered much about parrots and animal learning that had not been even considered before. Her methods were sensitive to the needs of her birds and were above the standards at the time. I have tremendous respect for her commitment, effort, sensitivity, and brilliance.