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Cat Meows Have Evolved Because of Humans

GuyMannDude writes: "ABCNews.com has a story on research being done at Cornell University's Psychology of Voice and Sound Laboratory on cat meows. The scientists believe that over generations, cats have learned how to meow in different ways specifically in order to hook into human perception tendencies and get what they want."

16 of 107 comments (clear)

  1. fascinating by tps12 · · Score: 4, Funny
    I have to say that I don't think any of us would have predicted this. I am completely astou--

    One moment, Tiger needs something.

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    Karma: Good (despite my invention of the Karma: sig)
  2. The difference between cats and dogs by Ivan+the+Terrible · · Score: 5, Funny

    Dogs think, "You feed me. You must be god."
    Cats think, "You feed me. I must be god."

  3. Sneaky by Deanasc · · Score: 2, Funny

    I knew those cats were up to something. Oh well at least the dog isn't trying to manipulate me.

    --
    I've hit Karma 50 and gotten a Score:5, Troll... I win!
  4. Cats = Aliens? by airship · · Score: 5, Funny

    We feed and take care of cats despite the fact that they do absolutely nothing for us. Do they have some kind of psychic mind control over us?
    It is believed by many that Egyptian culture was delivered to humanity by a race of alien beings. At just about the same time, Egyptians began worshipping cats. Coincidince?
    Even though they are supposedly mammals, cats have those weird slitty eyes. No other mammal has eyes like that. Are they really of this earth?
    The Discovery Channel should do one of their pseudo-science specials on this subject. I'm sure it has just as much credence as any of the other goofball theories they've broadcast 'documentaries' on.

    --
    Serving your airship needs since 1995.
  5. Re:interesting article... by nucal · · Score: 3, Funny
    But I don't understand why this story is categorized as "it's funny, laugh."

    Because there's no "it's catty, meow." category.

  6. I had to say it... by leviramsey · · Score: 3, Funny
    "I think cats have evolved to become better at managing and manipulating people." [says the researcher in the article]

    How it is it news that a pussy can manipulate people?

  7. Powerful Language by Picass0 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Cat thought of the day -
    A meow might get her attention, but she'll really notice if you crap on her sweater.

  8. me too by Polo · · Score: 5, Funny

    Funny, I tend to meow differently to get the attention of cats.

    (weird, but true)

  9. Meows by FattMattP · · Score: 3, Funny

    I always thought they were saying "Me Now." :-)

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  10. Re:My cat by doooras · · Score: 3, Funny

    my mother was sure her dog would say "i love you" and the cat will say "what?" if you ask it a question. surprisingly, she doesn't have a history of crack addiction.

  11. manipulating people by kilroy_hau · · Score: 4, Funny

    "I think cats have evolved to become better at managing and manipulating people."

    That's why catbert is the human resources director, not dogbert

    --


    Kilroy was here!
  12. Re:Not much contradiction, really by Kris_J · · Score: 3, Funny

    I've seen footage of big cats in the wild who grumble to themselves when something goes wrong. Didn't catch that springbok? Mwor! Walked into a spider web? Mewal! Stepped on something sharp? Reiow!

  13. Bathing Cats by Samus · · Score: 2, Funny

    Maybe thats why they sound like people dying when you try to give them baths. :-)

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    In Republican America phones tap you.
  14. Transcript by saqmaster · · Score: 2, Funny

    Cat: *meiow*
    Owner: Aw, you want some food?
    Cat: *meiow*
    Owner: Ahh yes you do!
    Cat: *meiow*
    Owner: Would you like some chicken honeybunny?
    Cat: *meiow*
    Owner: Here you go then.
    Cat: *gobble*

    I don't see the intelligence in that, especially in the owners corner ;)

    --
    "Never let the truth get in the way of a good story..."
  15. This is propably old, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    EXCERPTS FROM A DOG'S DIARY!

    Day number 180
    8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
    9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
    9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!
    10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
    11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
    12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
    1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!
    4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
    5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
    5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!

    Day number 181
    8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
    9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
    9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!
    10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
    11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
    12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
    1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!
    4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
    5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
    5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!

    Day number 182
    8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
    9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
    9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!
    10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
    11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
    12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
    1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!
    1:30 pm - ooooooo. bath. bummer.
    4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
    5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
    5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!

    EXCERPTS FROM A CAT'S DIARY

    DAY 752 - My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant.

    DAY 761 - Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded, must try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair... must try this on their bed.

    DAY 765 - Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was...Hmmm. Not working according to plan.

    DAY 768 - I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good
    reason I was chosen for the water torture. This time however it
    included a burning foamy chemical called "shampoo." What sick minds could invent such a liquid. My only consolation is the piece of thumb still stuck between my teeth.

    DAY 771 - There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the foul odor of the glass tubes they call "beer". More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage.

    DAY 774 - I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The bird on the other hand has got to be an informant, and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room his safety is assured.

    But I can wait, it is only a matter of time..................

  16. Re:Pavlov's Cat by acrollet · · Score: 3, Funny

    Couldn't find the poem, but this was funny:

    Everyone has heard of Pavlov's Dogs and many have heard of Schroedingers Cat. But what of Shroedinger's Dog and Pavlov's Cats?

    Let's not concern ourselves with Shroedinger's Dog, a creature so stupid it has difficulty being in one state at a time let alone in two states simultaneously. When put into a box with a decaying vial of poison which might or might not release the poison, Shroedinger's Dog chewed the vial thus ensuring it ended up in a dead state every time.

    Pavlov's Cats is a far more interesting a subtle experiment into feline-human behaviour. Pavlov was a Welsh behavioural scientist who conducted experiments into ringing bells and cats eating food. Went something along the lines of:

    Day 1: Rang bell. Cat buggered off.

    Day 2: Rang bell. Cat buggered off.

    Day 3: Rang bell, but cat put paw on bell so it only made a 'thunk' sound.

    Day 4: Rang bell, cat said he'd eaten earlier.

    Day 5: Tried to ring bell, but cat had taken batteries out of bell.

    Day 6: Cat rang bell. I ate food.

    (found at http://members.aol.com/moggycat/pavlov-cat.html )