Monkey Business and Freakonomics

marct22 writes "Stephen J Dubner, co-writer of 'Freakonomics' said there will be a second Freakonomics book. One of the items that will be covered is capuchin monkeys' use of washers as money, buying sweets, budgeting for favored treats over lesser treats. He mentioned that one of the experiments had similar outcomes as a study of day traders. And lastly, he watched capuchin prostitution!"

Comments

they are like us

[wizardforce]

apes, especially monkeys, are very genetically related to humans, because of this it is not surprising to find that they have what we usually think are human behaviors. Gorillas for instance, can be taught to understand sign language, monkeys are known to use tools, form tightly knit groups and even make primitive weapons for killing prey. [spears] In fact, monkeys are so very much like we humans that recently it was debated as to whether to grant them human-like rights.