‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’: New film has a talking octopus and a lot of heart
‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’: New film has a talking octopus and a lot of heart
The film ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ is the story of a widow who works at a local aquarium and finds joy again when she forms unlikely bonds with a giant Pacific octopus and a wayward young man who comes to town in search of family. Together, they uncover a mystery that will lead them to a life-changing discovery and restore their sense of wonder. TARA BENNETT: Not every bestselling novel should be made into a movie, because what works on the page doesn’t always translate to the screen. Take Shelby Van Pelt’s 2022 novel Remarkably Bright Creatures, which inherently has a high […]
A chimpanzee named Bruno had been taught American Sign Language. But instead of answering the researcher’s question, he signed two words: KEY OUT. The researcher asked him to sign again. Bruno shifted his body so that he was facing him more directly and raised his hands to make his meaning unmistakable. OUT KEY OUT. The researcher understood. He signed back: CAN’T SORRY CAN’T. Bruno’s shoulders dropped, and he walked to the back of his cage. Bruno understood that he was confined. He knew that a key could open the cage. He wanted to leave, and he deliberately communicated that desire to […]
The Hidden Cost of Progress: Confronting the reality of animal exploitation
The Hidden Cost of Progress: Confronting the reality of animal exploitation
For centuries, we have defined ‘progress’ almost exclusively through the lens of human advancement. However, as we have pushed the boundaries of innovation, we have simultaneously industrialized the exploitation of sentient beings on an unprecedented scale. True progress should be measured not just by what we can create, but by the compassion with which we create it. If our growth requires the confinement, exploitation, and silencing of other living creatures, we have to ask ourselves: are we actually moving forward, or are we simply becoming more sophisticated in our cruelty? FAUXCROFT WADE: For centuries, we have defined “progress” almost exclusively through […]
