Reconstructing the Natural History of Awareness, David B. Edelman

A 40 minute lecture and ensuing discussion by Neuroscientist David Edelman, Senior Scientist at the Association for Cephalopod Research (CephRes) Naples, Italy.

Cephalopod molluscs—particularly the octopus—have fascinated people across many cultures for thousands of years. Though their appearance seems utterly alien to our human sensibilities, there is something strangely familiar and engaging about the countenance and behavior of these tantalizing animals. In this talk, David will begin by reviewing his own work, as well as recent revelations by other researchers regarding the nervous system and behavior of the octopus. He will then explain why this animal—certainly the most complex of all invertebrates—may provide a plausible window into the origins of sensory awareness, as well as a useful model for studying consciousness in animals without backbones.

This video is part of the Interspecies Conversations lecture series. A regular online lecture series that invites leading professors, scientists, researchers, and students to share and present their work around interspecies communication and approaches to deciphering the signals of other animals. It aims to showcase emerging ideas and discoveries and include open discussions where the community can join the conversation with ideas and feedback.

[brucegelman]

What can be done to halt the proposed commercial breeding of Octopi in Spain?