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Cat Meows Have Evolved Because of Humans

Posted by timothy on from the as-if-this-weren't-obvious dept.

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."

9 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.

    --

    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. 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.
  4. evolution or learning? by oyenstikker · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Are they basing this on survival of the fittest? Cats that don't meow well die? I don't think so. Cats learn what sounds get a response, and use them. Kittens learn from their parents, who learned from their parents. . . This is learned behaviour, not evolution.

    --
    The masses are the crack whores of religion.
    1. Re:evolution or learning? by sydb · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Alternatively, it might be that humans have bred cats to meow, subconsciously favouring the more 'appealing' animals when pairing mates.

      The domestic cat is quite far removed from anything natural.

      You don't need to be fit for a 'natural' purpose to survive, providing the environment is suitably artificial.

      --
      Yours Sincerely, Michael.
  5. Evolution of a Cat's Meow by Peapod · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Our society has become so dominated by the evolutionary theories that whenever something changes over time, it doesn't change, but evolves, as if it were a change in the make-up of a cat's genetic code.

  6. 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.

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

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

    (weird, but true)

  8. 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!