Why? The controversy over Koko being either fluent in a human language, or merely a Clever Hans started, I think, in the 70s. I'm not aware of anything recent - so, my question remains: Why?

https://vimeo.com/150543531

https://vimeo.com/150543531

A message from Nathan Tyree:

Koko...fluent in a human language...Why?...I think...Koko...Clever...I'm not...merely...fluent...I think...controversy...remains

I couldn't see the linked videos. I'm still uncertain what all the hubub is about. A number of non-human primates have shown a certain level of ability with sign language. The trainers of koko have long made grand claims that she has much greater skills in that regard. These claims remain controversial. There is a lack of solid, peer reviewed research to back the claims. Most reasonable take these claims with several grains of salt. If pushed, I would guess that Koko has some small understanding of symbology as related to the signals she has been taught, but nothing like fluency.

Is Don upset that Koko's trainers make these claims? If so, could he not just point to the large quantity of articles that reveal the common skepticism about the claims? Are the capitalized bits above quotes from Koko?

I just still do not get the issue.

The gorilla foundation just released a new video of Koko. Like all the videos, it is crap. In it, they claim that Koko is reprimanding humans for hurting the earth.
They admit they wrote a speech for her and taught her new signs for it, but claim it I'd her heartfelt message.

Why did I post it?
My post was intended as humor. I wanted to be funny about a subject that makes me angry. Just pointing at other articles is what Google does. Don voices his opinion in his own style.

DON GOOD APE. DON GOOD APE.

Okay. This makes sense now. With context, I understand you. I don't see any reason for anger. They have deluded themselves into believing that Koko is much better with language than she is in reality. We are surrounded by people confirming their own biases every day. When Koko votes things may be different.

If it were only self delusion, it wouldn't bother me much, but Patterson's delusions have an external effect.
If you look into the organization, you find that they have put KOKO into a situation that is unnatural to the point of abuse, but she can never escape.

They raise money with Koko for the foundation that could otherwise be donated to programs that actually help wild gorillas.

I'm not angry enough to stand in the street and yell, but am angry enough to VENT.

...but am angry enough to VENT.

Mic drop.

This video showed up in my Facebook feed and I looked at the comments. The large number of people that believe that this gorilla is expressing her abstract thoughts on the subject of humanity's adverse effects on Earth is astounding.

Forgot to mention. The video was edited for brevity, much like my edit of Nate's comment.