Heroic behaviour among animals is far more common than previously thought, according to scientists.
Creatures including dolphins, monkeys, fruit bats and even ants are all capable of selflessly coming to the rescue of others, researchers found.
Dr Elise Nowbahari, from the University of Paris, said there is mounting evidence that willingness to go to the aid of others at personal risk is common in a range of species and far from a solely human trait.
Dolphins endanger themselves to rescue trapped dolphins, lifting an injured dolphin to the water's surface to help it breathe, she said.
Monkeys will drive away an attacker from a vulnerable female or infants and female fruit bats help other fruit bats in labour to ease the birth.
She also said that ants frequently help other ants from the same colony if they are caught in traps or by a predator – though their heroism does not extend to helping ants from other colonies whose actual cries for help are ignored.
One of the biggest internet hits is a film of buffalo fighting off lions that had attacked one of their young in the Kruger National Park in South Africa.
"We may be underestimating the extent of rescue behaviour in the wild," said Dr Nowbahari, whose work is published in the latest issue of Communicative and Integrative Biology.
"Reports of rescue behaviour in non-human animals are exceedingly rare but is far more common than thought."
She has drawn up a four-point model that could be applied to the behaviour of any creature, including humans, to identify heroic acts.
First, the individual being helped is in distress and unless it escapes on its own it will suffer severe physical harm.
Second, the rescuer places themselves in harm's way by helping.
Third, the rescuer's behaviour is suitable to the circumstances of the victim's distress.
And last, rescuing is not done for any inherent reward.
She said: "Human acts of heroism are often rewarded with medals and commendations, for example. But one needs to distinguish between the reward inherent in the rescuing someone and the reward that may or may not be given if the act is recognised."
Dr Nowbahari and her colleagues now intend to apply the four-point model to a range of non-human animal situations to determine if the rescuer's behaviour was indeed heroic.
By using this detached method she expects to be able to document an enormous range of animals being heroic.Heroic behaviour among animals is far more common than previously thought, according... more
Riese is a Sci-Fi/Fantasy web series which debuted November 2, 2009. The series is about a traveller named Riese, a seemingly random wanderer, who flees across the dying lands of Eleysia with her wolf, Fenrir. Hunted by a terrifying religious group, The Sect, Riese must evade the assassins that have been sent to kill her and discover their true objective.
Riese's past is shrouded in mystery, as even she cannot recall the events of the night when her entire family was slaughtered and she was forced to flee. On her journey, she’ll piece together her past and her destiny, in a struggle that will hold the fate of the world in the balance - and the once peaceful kingdom of Eleysia will be the battlefield. Despite the impending doom, Riese emerges as the sole beacon of hope.
Riese is co-created by Ryan Copple and Kaleena Kiff, and produced by Galen Fletcher and Nicholas Humphries. Production of the first five episodes is completed, and the next six begin production in December 2009. Episodes will begin streaming online this fall via YouTube and other video distribution channels.
Riese has been noted for its usage of the RED One. It is also one of the first live action sci-fi web series to feature the steampunk genre . Production-value wise, it has been compared to the web efforts of Sanctuary and features a cast of top Sci-Fi actors from a variety of shows. It is also one of the first dramatic web series to incorporate animals as one of their cast ensemble.
Anyone interested in the situation in Gaza should read this! Noam Chomsky's work brings to light much that gets filtered through biased media sources. The essay was taken directly from his website http://www.chomsky.info/. Get informed, spread the word.
Here is a small part of a brilliant piece.
"...Hence the invasion of Gaza.
The timing of the invasion was presumably influenced by the coming Israeli election. Ehud Barak, who was lagging badly in the polls, gained one parliamentary seat for every 40 Arabs killed in the early days of the slaughter, Israeli commentator Ran HaCohen calculated.
That may change, however. As the crimes passed beyond what the carefully honed Israeli propaganda campaign was able to suppress, even confirmed Israeli hawks became concerned that the carnage is "Destroying [Israel's] soul and its image. Destroying it on world television screens, in the living rooms of the international community and most importantly, in Obama's America" (Ari Shavit). Shavit was particularly concerned about Israel's "shelling a United Nations facility ... on the day when the UN secretary general is visiting Jerusalem," an act that is "beyond lunacy," he felt."Anyone interested in the situation in Gaza should read this! Noam Chomsky's work... more
Actually, I just want everyone to know this creep's name. When an officer does something like this it is a worse crime when a citizen does it. The officer has pledged an oath to protect and serve the public. We are supposed to be able to trust them, lol. This further depletes the hero image we grew up with.Actually, I just want everyone to know this creep's name. When an officer does... more
As is to be expected, director Joe Johnston was bombarded with questions about The First Avenger: Captain America, as he appeared on the junket scene to promote his new film, The Wolfman. Collider, The LA Times, Shock and AICN collectively learned a bunch of bits about the next Marvel comic adaptation. I’ve included the highlights below, but click the links to read the full interviews on the respective sites.
Four people can be thankful for miracles because these two decided to go fishing on Lake Erie Murrysville Father, Son Save Fisherman.
Rich and Ryan Keeler helped save a fisherman on Lake Erie. A Murrysville policeman and his son are being dubbed heroes after saving a fisherman on their vacation.
The two were trying to fish on Lake Erie when they noticed a man floating in the water.
Rich Keeler says he pulled his boat near the man so his 18-year old son Ryan could pull the man to safety.
The man told the Keeler's that he and three others had been fishing when a four to six foot wave crashed into their boat shattering the windshield. He said a second wave came and caused the boat to capsize.
The Keeler's called 911 who then called in the Coast Guard and a helicopter to help look for the other boaters. One was found floating in a life jacket, a second was found clinging to a seat cushion and a third was found treading water.
The four fishermen had been in the water at least two hours before they were discovered by the Keeler's. All four suffered some bumps, bruises and mild hypothermia, but are believed to be doing alright.
.Four people can be thankful for miracles because these two decided to go fishing on... more
You may not find these heroes in the pages of Marvel of DC, but Captain Condor and Miss America, featured in Fighting Owl Films' short film "Not-So SuperFriends", are a loving homage to the ever popular characters and genre that have thrilled fans for decades. The 10 minute film is free to watch on the group's website (www.fightingowlfilms.com).
The low-budget short film follows the misadventures of Mega City's inept heroes as they fight the forces of evil. Captain Condor and Miss America are two of Mega City’s most famous crime fighters. Trusted by the people to put an end to evil and villainy, these two superheroes somehow manage to get the job done time and again. When called into action to stop the scheming Mega Brain, Condor and America are forced to work together for the greater good. But no one said these superheroes were super friends.
"SuperFriends” features actors Erin Lilley and Khristian Fulmer; with music by Soren Odom. The film was written and directed by Thomas Smith.
Fighting Owl Films’ past work includes the internet hit “The Night Shift”, which was featured in genre magazine Fangoria’s online edition earlier this year. The filmmakers are in pre-production on their first feature film which is based on their short “The Night Shift”. Filming is to commence in summer 2010. For more on Fighting Owl Films, to view the film, and support their feature film efforts visit www.fightingowlfilms.com .You may not find these heroes in the pages of Marvel of DC, but Captain Condor and... more
Are you getting the cycling and fitness results you want? It's tough making changes in our lives even when the outcome is something we really want. Sometimes what's needed is a kick up the behind. Other times we need to feel inspired to lift our game, to reach for the stars and follow our dreams.Are you getting the cycling and fitness results you want? It's tough making... more
Quick thinking Sandra Samuel, nanny to Two-year-old Moshe Holtzberg risked her life to save the child. During the Mumbai terrorist attack Ms Samuel literally snatched the child from the jaws of danger and ran passed the gunmen to safety.Quick thinking Sandra Samuel, nanny to Two-year-old Moshe Holtzberg risked her life to... more
Actress Hayden Panettiere from NBC show Heroes, has just elevated her status from ordinary actress to producer extraordinaire. Panettiere’s HMS follows the lives of a sexy freshman class at Harvard Medical School through the eyes of one of the female students. Amy Holden Jones (Mystic Pizza) wrote the script and will co-exec-produce with Panettiere
Hot air balloonists from around the country recently gathered in Park County, Colorado (yes... Kenny Country) to give hot air balloon rides to 275 soldiers and their families... just to say Thanks for their service and sacrifice. Dubbed "Honor Flight," this was the third year of the event; and organizers say many more will come.Hot air balloonists from around the country recently gathered in Park County,... more
This week on Heroes, fans were finally gifted with the long-awaited girl-on-girl action the show's creators have been promising for far too long. When Madeline Zima and Hayden Panettiere locked lips at last, it was truly delicious moment to behold.This week on Heroes, fans were finally gifted with the long-awaited girl-on-girl... more
One thing that every geek can do is quote their favorite geek-culture media, whether it’s movies, books, television, theater or music. The GeekDads have tried to compile a list of such quotes for your enjoyment. This list is certainly not definitive. Indeed, it’s only the beginning! Feel free to add your own (clean) ones in the comments below.
#52 “Would you say I have a plethora of piñatas?” - El Guapo, ¡Three Amigos!
In order to increase the audience of Heroes TV Series, the producers thought it would be a good thing to give Hayden Panettiere a kissing partner, but this time it would be a girl instead of a boy. Yes that’s correct, Hayden Panettiere kissed another girl. Lesbian or not, she’s done it, the picture tells…In order to increase the audience of Heroes TV Series, the producers thought it would... more
Kerem Beyit is from Turkey and currently working as a freelancer. He has been in digital area for four years and has been awarded on many CG related sites. He is really successful at Illustration, concept design and working in Photoshop. To know more about him you can read his interview on Psdtuts and visit his personal site, but here i have collected his stunning work for your inspiration.
The terrorist attack on 9/11 was one of our country's most horrific moments, and the damage continues. Told there were no health hazards in the aftermath, the truth shows there was and many first responders are now afflicted and ignored by our government.The terrorist attack on 9/11 was one of our country's most horrific moments, and... more
This is the time to support Heroes in any way you can think of if you want it to stick around. Start contacting NBC and let them know the show is still alive before they make the official announcement.
Kicking back in a comfy brown armchair and sipping from a grande soya latte at the back of a Richmond coffee shop, Steve Roest doesn’t look much like a pirate. Most people in the area simply know him as the Green Party’s parliamentary candidate for Twickenham.Kicking back in a comfy brown armchair and sipping from a grande soya latte at the... more
