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Elephants, Dolphins and Ants Have Something Important They Want To Tell You Episode 3

Elephants, Dolphins and Ants Have Something Important They Want To Tell You

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Speaker 1:

Okay. So, have you ever, like, looked at, like, the animal kingdom and been, like, man, those guys, they got it all figured out. Mhmm. Like, what if instead of just, you know, watching those cute animal videos online, we could actually get some, like Right. Real actionable advice from animals.

Speaker 1:

Mhmm.

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 1:

That's what we are diving into today.

Speaker 2:

I love it.

Speaker 1:

Some really, really cool stuff. You, our amazing listeners, have sent in some incredible sources that explore which animals would make the wisest advisors to humanity.

Speaker 2:

Okay. Now

Speaker 1:

let me tell you, Some of these contenders might actually surprise you.

Speaker 2:

I'm excited.

Speaker 1:

Yeah. It's gonna be it's gonna be wild. Right?

Speaker 2:

Okay.

Speaker 1:

So first up, we've got the elephants, the living libraries of the savannah. I mean, their memory their memory is legendary.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely. It's incredible. They can remember, like, specific watering holes

Speaker 1:

Right.

Speaker 2:

Migration routes for decades.

Speaker 1:

Wow.

Speaker 2:

And what's interesting is they use this knowledge to, like, navigate their changing environment and, even more important, pass that wisdom down through generations. Right. It's like

Speaker 1:

each elephant is carrying, like, a map of survival

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 1:

Shaped by, like, all of the experiences of its ancestors.

Speaker 2:

Precisely. Yeah. There was this one study, researchers, researchers, they were observing these elephants, and older elephants were leading their families through a really severe drought. Oh. And they relied on their memories of past droughts to find resources and stuff.

Speaker 2:

Wow. It's amazing.

Speaker 1:

Incredible.

Speaker 2:

And the younger elephants, you know, they were watching this whole thing, learning from their elders' experiences, and it ensured the survival of the entire herd.

Speaker 1:

That's such a powerful example of, like, thinking generations ahead, something I think we humans could certainly benefit from a little more of.

Speaker 2:

I agree. Yeah. I mean, they remind us to, you know, consider the long term consequences of our actions, not just for ourselves, right,

Speaker 1:

but things we have.

Speaker 2:

But the generations that'll come after us.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

This whole long term perspective, it's so crucial, especially when we're talking about issues like climate change, resource management, all that.

Speaker 1:

It makes you wonder where like, in our own lives, could we use, like, a little bit of that that elephantine, like, long term thinking Yeah. You know, to make a real difference. Absolutely. I mean, are we, like, are we making choices that, like, benefit us now at the expense of the future? Right.

Speaker 1:

That's something to think about.

Speaker 2:

Definitely.

Speaker 1:

But alright. Moving on from the the wisdom of the elephants, let's let's dive into the deep end, literally, with dolphins. They're they're always portrayed as these, like, playful, intelligent creatures. But but what kind of advice could they offer humanity?

Speaker 2:

Well, you know, when we're talking dolphins, we have to talk about communication. Clicks, whistles, body language. It's incredibly sophisticated. I mean, some scientists, they even believe that that dolphins have, like, regional dialects.

Speaker 1:

What?

Speaker 2:

Yeah. And can communicate, like, really specific information

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

Of food sources, potential threats. Like, it's amazing.

Speaker 1:

Wow. So they're they're having, like, full on conversations. Like, that makes our communication, like

Speaker 2:

Right.

Speaker 1:

Look like

Speaker 2:

I don't know. Child's play. Yeah. It

Speaker 1:

does. I mean, you know, dolphins, I think they remind us that. Effective communication. Mhmm. It isn't just about, like, speaking right.

Speaker 2:

Right.

Speaker 1:

It's also about truly listening, trying to understand. Mhmm. And they demonstrate this, like, power of clear, concise communication, which is important because

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 1:

We live in a world where, like, misunderstandings and misinterpretations are everywhere.

Speaker 2:

Yeah. For sure. It's like, how often are we really, like, tuned in to what the other person is saying versus just waiting for our turn to talk? Right. Maybe we could all use a little more dolphin like focus in our daily conversations.

Speaker 1:

Absolutely.

Speaker 2:

Great. So we talked about elephants. We talked about dolphins. But believe it or not, there is another contender out there that might be a little less obvious when it comes to, like, getting life advice from. Oh.

Speaker 2:

Ants. I'll be honest. When we were, prepping for this deep dive and Ants came up as, like, potential advice givers. I don't know why, but all I could picture was that. Classic cartoon, you know, with the ant, like, carrying the giant crumb.

Speaker 2:

And the tagline is, like, work smarter, not harder. Right. A little cliche. It is a funny image Right. But it does it does touch on something important.

Speaker 2:

Ant colonies, they demonstrate this, like

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

Incredible level of organization, right, and efficiency Yeah. Especially when it comes to, like, resource management. They've they've evolved these, like, intricate systems for finding food, collecting food Yeah. Distributing food, even in, like, the most challenging environments. Yeah.

Speaker 1:

It's like you ever like, when you see those those trails of ants perfectly spaced out, all working together

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 1:

It's it's kind of mesmerizing Yeah. But also, like, a little unnerving

Speaker 2:

It's true.

Speaker 1:

If you stare at it for too long.

Speaker 2:

There's a there's a reason for that precision, though. Yeah. Researchers, they found that ants, they use pheromones and these, like Yeah. Complex algorithms to, like, optimize their foraging paths

Speaker 1:

Wow.

Speaker 2:

So that everyone has access to food and the colony thrives.

Speaker 1:

So they've got, like, the world's most efficient, like, delivery service down to a science.

Speaker 2:

Exactly.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

And and you think about, you know, the challenges we're facing, right, with with resource allocation, food waste, supply chain disruptions. I mean, all of a sudden, algorithms start to look pretty good.

Speaker 1:

Yeah. It really makes you wonder, like, what what we could accomplish if we could just, like, apply, like, a fraction of that, like, ant level organization to some of our, like

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 1:

Our biggest problems.

Speaker 2:

It's a it is a thought provoking question. So we've got you know, we've talked about elephants. They encourage us to think long term. We've got dolphins, champions of, like, clear communication. And now we've got ants, these, like, masters of collaboration, resource management.

Speaker 2:

I mean, it begs the question, who who would humans like actually be most receptive to?

Speaker 1:

Yeah. I mean, that's that's the real question here, isn't it? I mean, it's it's one thing to identify these like wise advisers in the animal kingdom. It's another thing entirely to think about. Would we as humans like?

Speaker 1:

Would we actually listen to them?

Speaker 2:

Would we heed their advice? Yeah. Because let's be real. We don't always make the most rational choices, do it.

Speaker 1:

Sometimes we go with our gut. Sometimes we just do what like, what everyone else is doing, even when we like, kind of know. Like, deep down, maybe there's a better way.

Speaker 2:

Mhmm.

Speaker 1:

So, okay, if we're taking bets here, who do you think has the best shot at getting through to us?

Speaker 2:

Well, I mean, based on on what I've been reading, it seems like humans might be most inclined to listen to the Dolphins. Dolphin.

Speaker 1:

I had a feeling you were gonna say that.

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 1:

Why why do you think that is? Yeah. I mean, it makes sense. Right?

Speaker 2:

They're they're charismatic. They're intelligent. Yeah. And their communication style is complex, but it also, like, feels familiar. You know?

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

On kind of an emotional level too. Like, their their playful nature, it makes them relatable even, like Yeah. Aspirational. You know? We see them as symbols of joy, intelligence, freedom.

Speaker 1:

Right. And I think people, like they they almost put them on a pedestal a little bit. Like, they they wanna be more like dolphins, which is interesting because the elephants with their, like

Speaker 2:

ancient wisdom, you know, their gravitas. It seems like they would, like, definitely be in the running for, like, who we would listen to.

Speaker 1:

Totally. Yeah. I mean, you know, dolphins, they might, like, capture our hearts with their, like, playfulness. But elephants, they command our respect. You know?

Speaker 1:

Yeah. They represent wisdom, patience, this deep connection to the natural world.

Speaker 2:

They're like those. Like, hey, wise elders that we all, like, wish we had in our lives. You know?

Speaker 1:

Absolutely. Yeah. And and their message of sustainability, right, of of considering the needs of future generations, it it really resonates with one of the growing number of people these days Mhmm. Especially as we all kinda deal with, like, the consequences of climate change Mhmm. Environmental degradation.

Speaker 2:

Right. Yeah. For sure. But there is something about, like, the ants too. That feels, like, incredibly relevant.

Speaker 2:

So They're not cuddly or charismatic necessarily, but Yeah. They're they're solutions to problems. It's like Yeah. They're so practical.

Speaker 1:

You

Speaker 2:

know? So applicable to, like, our own lives.

Speaker 1:

It's true. Yeah. They offer a really compelling model for Yeah. Addressing those, like, really tough challenges. But their their lack of, like, emotional appeal, I think, might be their, like, Achilles heel.

Speaker 2:

You know?

Speaker 1:

It's it's like they're asking us to, like, look beyond our own, like, biases, you know, and and recognize wisdom Mhmm. Even in, like The

Speaker 2:

most unexpected places.

Speaker 1:

Yes. Like choosing between the really inspiring speaker who's, like, oh, good. Oh, good. Oh, good. Yeah.

Speaker 1:

Gets his motivating speech, his powerful message, versus, like, the the really practical problem solver who's kinda, like, yeah. Yeah. Quietly in the back, getting things done, you know? Yeah. Both are valuable, but we we tend to, like, gravitate towards that.

Speaker 1:

That one that, like, tugs at our heartstrings. You know?

Speaker 2:

It's true. Yeah. That's a that's a great analogy, I think. And it highlights, like, the central question that I think our sources Yeah. Have kind of left us with, which is, are we as humans willing to learn from those who don't necessarily like, resemble us

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

Or or appeal to our emotions even if they're emotions even if they're like. Wisdom holds the key to, like, a better future for all of us. That is the question, isn't it? It is.

Speaker 1:

It's something to think about.

Speaker 2:

It is. Well,

Speaker 1:

on that note, that's gonna do

Speaker 2:

it for our deep dive

Speaker 1:

into the animal kingdom. You know, we talked about elephants. We talked about dolphins. We even talked about ants.

Speaker 2:

We did. And and I

Speaker 1:

think it's safe to say that there's a lot of wisdom out there in nature if we're just willing to, like, open our minds and listen. Absolutely. So next time you're, you know Uh-huh. Watching a documentary or you see a colony of ants Yeah. Marching across your your backyard, take a minute.

Speaker 1:

Right. Really observe them. Ask yourself, what can I learn from this? You might be surprised by the answers.

Speaker 2:

I agree.

Speaker 1:

And and who knows? Those answers might even inspire you to make a change in your own life. That's all the time we have for today. As always, you bring the curiosity. We'll bring the deep dive.

Speaker 1:

Till next time.

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