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Do you think insects feel emotions?

  • 05-08-2010 1:45am
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,689 ✭✭✭✭


    Was stuck in traffic today,listening in a trance to Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks singing when I noticed this tiny little spider hanging from the rear view mirror.

    I put out the back of my hand, hoping to lift him onto it and move him to the passenger seat where he could scarper off to safety.

    Only, instead of taking my offer of a lift, he skimmers up his web strand.

    So, my question is .. what made him do that?

    Was it fear? A dislike of Tom Petty .. or just instinct / reflex without emotion?

    I think most people accept that Dogs can feel emotions, so what about insects?

    Do you think insects can feel emotions? 109 votes

    Yup, I do indeed.
    0%
    No, are you mad?
    32%
    DocDementoRTar.Aldarionfunk-youyoucancallmealdanniemcqstrobebikoGLaDOSsmashGreyfoxlazlociano1anniehooDancorKyussBishopgiant_midgetCookie_MonsterProf.BadassTomebagel 35 votes
    No idea, but I can tell you for certain that sheep feel pleasure.
    67%
    Stephen--Kaiser--Starksuper_furryRabiesLia_liaNooptismithy1981DingChavezKieraJPAthebmanParsleyDuggy747degrassinoelBigDuffmanRented Mule422ndCavehill RedDuff 74 votes


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,554 ✭✭✭✭alwaysadub


    No idea, but I can tell you for certain that sheep feel pleasure.
    It was probably the smell of your after shave..


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,305 ✭✭✭DOC09UNAM


    Did you wash your hands after the toilet?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,132 ✭✭✭Killer Pigeon


    No idea, but I can tell you for certain that sheep feel pleasure.
    Random thread, and no 'cause they're not sentient beings like humans.

    Ahh, a Spider -- EXTERMINATE!! EXTERMINATE!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,127 ✭✭✭kjl


    Do you think cannabis makes you stoned?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17,689 ✭✭✭✭OutlawPete


    .. no 'cause they're not sentient beings like humans.

    Then why do they change direction based on what's put in front of them?

    If you go to swat a fly on a window for instance, they .. fly off, why?

    (Unless your Mr Miyagi of course)


    Surely they do that out of fear of being killed?

    A thought has to take place, no?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,751 ✭✭✭Saila


    nah they work on natural instincts, like the way we should but society says otherwise!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 553 ✭✭✭NoHornJan


    No, are you mad?
    The spider was scared of you. If you saw a huge juggernaut coming towards you, you'd do your damnest to get out of the way. Poor little spider was only doing the same. So I reckon fear is an emotion...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,132 ✭✭✭Killer Pigeon


    No idea, but I can tell you for certain that sheep feel pleasure.
    OutlawPete wrote: »
    Then why do they change direction based on what's put in front of them?

    I don't think that animals like that can judge outcomes. Very few Earthly creatures can do that, primary humans because we have highly developed frontal lobes. The creature just changed direction because of instinct which every animal has, including humans. However, the creature didn't have a clue why it was running away, it just knew it must run, perhaps it mightn't have even known that it was for the good of its own survival. Human fear would be a far greater feeling as not only do we know that we must run away from a dangerous situation but we also know what the outcome might be if we don't run.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,739 ✭✭✭✭starbelgrade


    Tom Petty & Stevie Nicks?

    The spider skimmered up his web strand, not because he feared you, but to fashion himself a noose to hang himself from. An extreme way to get away from the music, but unfortunatley for spiders, they cannot talk & thus tell you to turn off the CD.

    His only option at that point, was, sadly, suicide.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,132 ✭✭✭Killer Pigeon


    No idea, but I can tell you for certain that sheep feel pleasure.
    By the way everyone, spiders are arachnids not insects.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,751 ✭✭✭Saila


    Tom Petty & Stevie Nicks?

    The spider skimmered up his web strand, not because he feared you, but to fashion himself a noose to hang himself from. An extreme way to get away from the music, but unfortunatley for spiders, they cannot talk & thus tell you to turn off the CD.

    His only option at that point, was, sadly, suicide.

    do spiders have ears :p


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,971 ✭✭✭we'llallhavetea_old


    i say kill them all! horrible bastards :mad:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 767 ✭✭✭HxGH


    Insects? Yeah, I'd goes so. Just not trained like ours?

    Watching an insect go about it's regular business, it goes at it's own pace.

    When you swing at it dramaticly it fears for it's life and flys/runs. no?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,739 ✭✭✭✭starbelgrade


    By the way everyone, spiders are arachnids not insects.

    What do you call a spider with no legs then?

    A Currant


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,110 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tar.Aldarion


    No, are you mad?
    Yes, not as complex a nervous system but feel fear etc
    We know dogs do because we can relate, which we can't do with an exoskeleton.
    Endorphins are released in their brains too.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,132 ✭✭✭Killer Pigeon


    No idea, but I can tell you for certain that sheep feel pleasure.
    i say kill them all! horrible bastards :mad:

    I knew, exterminate all spider-kind! ....



  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,739 ✭✭✭✭starbelgrade


    Saila wrote: »
    do spiders have ears :p

    I don't actually know. Ring "Fix it Friday" tomorrow & ask Ray Darcy.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,564 ✭✭✭✭steddyeddy


    OutlawPete wrote: »
    Was stuck in traffic today,listening in a trance to Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks singing when I noticed this tiny little spider hanging from the rear view mirror.

    I put out the back of my hand, hoping to lift him onto it and move him to the passenger seat where he could scarper off to safety.

    Only, instead of taking my offer of a lift, he skimmers up his web strand.

    So, my question is .. what made him do that?

    Was it fear? A dislike of Tom Petty .. or just instinct / reflex without emotion?

    I think most people accept that Dogs can feel emotions, so what about insects?


    instinct made him climb up the web


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 557 ✭✭✭Waestrel


    why are the spiders different sizes?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,872 ✭✭✭strobe


    No, are you mad?
    Waestrel wrote: »
    why are the spiders different sizes?

    Why are the birds different sizes? Same deal.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,564 ✭✭✭✭steddyeddy


    ted why are the rocks all different sizes!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,739 ✭✭✭✭starbelgrade


    Waestrel wrote: »
    why are the spiders different sizes?

    They're not. Some of them are just further away.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,132 ✭✭✭Killer Pigeon


    No idea, but I can tell you for certain that sheep feel pleasure.
    They're not. Some of them are just further away.

    AH HA HA HA HA HA *cough* *hairball*


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    No idea, but I can tell you for certain that sheep feel pleasure.
    emotion in animals/species with higher brain functions has been found by many a thesis to have important functions. But im tired so this post will be cut verrry short: the scope of insects are too limited to utilize these functions.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,633 ✭✭✭maninasia


    Yes, not as complex a nervous system but feel fear etc
    We know dogs do because we can relate, which we can't do with an exoskeleton.
    Endorphins are released in their brains too.

    Those hairy smelly humans with their two eyes and two legs, look at them driving around endlessly in cars doing things for paper everyday. They ignore tasty flies everywhere, no reaction whatsoever when placed in front of them. They definitely don't feel like we do.

    Dr. Spidey Eye (renowned spider scientist)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,931 ✭✭✭Prof.Badass


    No, are you mad?
    I'd be inclined to think insects do have a basic reward system capable of feeling both pleasure and pain. In fact I struggle to see how any complex animal regularly faced with decisions could survive without one. The average bee has 1million neurons, i'm sure they can devote a few to something as basic to survival as being able to feel pleasure and pain. To put it another way, when insects have sex, you think they feel nothing?

    Study that demonstrates the behavioural effects of cocaine on honeybees;

    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081223091308.htm

    (It makes them think the flowers they've found are super-awesome when they're probably not).


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    To put it another way, when insects have sex, you think they feel nothing?

    Depends.....do insects have hands ? :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,239 ✭✭✭✭WindSock


    Spiders feel a whole range of things when they are off their tits



    v=vid

    I watched a doco before regarding spiders and their movements, apparently it is a chemical reaction to their surroundings or something that determines the direction they will move. I think it was anyway, might not have been it though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,812 ✭✭✭✭sbsquarepants


    I'd be inclined to think insects do have a basic reward system capable of feeling both pleasure and pain. In fact I struggle to see how any complex animal regularly faced with decisions could survive without one. The average bee has 1million neurons, i'm sure they can devote a few to something as basic to survival as being able to feel pleasure and pain. To put it another way, when insects have sex, you think they feel nothing?

    Study that demonstrates the behavioural effects of cocaine on honeybees;

    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081223091308.htm

    (It makes them think the flowers they've found are super-awesome when they're probably not).

    This sums up everything that's wrong with the world today. If i buy a nice big bag of coke for me and my friends to enjoy in the comfort of my own home, i'm a criminal.
    However if Dr.Do-very-little buys it and gives it to his honey bees, he's a scientist. WTF??
    I mean, giving perfectly good coke to honey bees is f'ucking criminal if you ask me!

    As for the spider thing, maybe he thought you were a cop and ran off to stash whatever drugs he had on him? Apparently they're all at it!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,564 ✭✭✭✭steddyeddy


    This sums up everything that's wrong with the world today. If i buy a nice big bag of coke for me and my friends to enjoy in the comfort of my own home, i'm a criminal.
    However if Dr.Do-very-little buys it and gives it to his honey bees, he's a scientist. WTF??
    I mean, giving perfectly good coke to honey bees is f'ucking criminal if you ask me!

    As for the spider thing, maybe he thought you were a cop and ran off to stash whatever drugs he had on him? Apparently they're all at it!


    when i was in college some of the students used to steal ketimine from the labs!


  • Posts: 17,378 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    No idea, but I can tell you for certain that sheep feel pleasure.
    I don't think that animals like that can judge outcomes. Very few Earthly creatures can do that, primary humans because we have highly developed frontal lobes. The creature just changed direction because of instinct which every animal has, including humans. However, the creature didn't have a clue why it was running away, it just knew it must run, perhaps it mightn't have even known that it was for the good of its own survival. Human fear would be a far greater feeling as not only do we know that we must run away from a dangerous situation but we also know what the outcome might be if we don't run.

    For 3am, that was a suprisingly good post.. Well done sir.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,390 ✭✭✭The Big Red Button


    What's the last thing that goes through a fly's mind when he hits your windscreen?

    ...

    His arse!




    (Yup, I'll get my coat ... :o )


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,564 ✭✭✭✭steddyeddy


    This sums up everything that's wrong with the world today. If i buy a nice big bag of coke for me and my friends to enjoy in the comfort of my own home, i'm a criminal.
    However if Dr.Do-very-little buys it and gives it to his honey bees, he's a scientist. WTF??
    I mean, giving perfectly good coke to honey bees is f'ucking criminal if you ask me!

    As for the spider thing, maybe he thought you were a cop and ran off to stash whatever drugs he had on him? Apparently they're all at it!


    well actually if cokes used for medical research i would say that serves a better use than you and your friends getting high!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,688 ✭✭✭Kasabian


    I believe all animals feel


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,989 ✭✭✭✭Giblet


    I hope so, otherwise torture is useless!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 557 ✭✭✭Waestrel


    steddyeddy wrote: »
    ted why are the rocks all different sizes!

    Rocks are generally differnt sizes.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 167 ✭✭Trappers Son


    Emotions Eh! Doubt it! It's very complex the whole thing isn't it! I mean sometimes I don't feel emotion?

    What happens, when the heart just stops? Stops caring for anyone?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 553 ✭✭✭NoHornJan


    No, are you mad?
    What's the last thing that goes through a fly's mind when he hits your windscreen?

    ...

    His arse!




    (Yup, I'll get my coat ... :o )

    A shameful destruction of good spider food..
    You better hope that you don't come back as a fly in the next life. .:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,812 ✭✭✭✭sbsquarepants


    steddyeddy wrote: »
    well actually if cokes used for medical research i would say that serves a better use than you and your friends getting high![/QUOTE]

    Honey bees!
    What possible medical research requires bees to charlie up?
    Come on now!

    By the way, I'm guessing you weren't one of the ones stealing the ket!! :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17,689 ✭✭✭✭OutlawPete


    What happens, when the heart just stops? Stops caring for anyone?

    Ahhh, poor deefer.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,051 ✭✭✭trebor28


    i think they all feel emotions but the bigger questions is do they know what these emotions are.
    dogs fell jealousy, boredom, happiness, fear, etc.
    but they cant comprehend what they are feeling.
    most other animals feel emotions too but to what level of emotion is hard to judge.
    its like your basic two year old child.
    they feel all these emotions but they cant really comprehend them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,349 ✭✭✭✭starlit


    No idea, but I can tell you for certain that sheep feel pleasure.
    I highly doubt it! They might sense fear and take flight or fight regarding instinct if they are being attacked or want to attack humans and other creatures...they wouldnt get offended if you gave them a piece of your mind like! Don't think they have any emotions...weird... if they did!

    well suppose they do..they might only have a certain range of emotions they might not have all the emotions a human has!

    think of the seahorse if its mate dies the seahorse's partner dies of a broken heart! maybe it has feelings and emotions like everyone else!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,716 ✭✭✭✭Earthhorse


    If they do feel emotions I'd say what they primarily feel is regret, at being insects in the first place.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 701 ✭✭✭Paco Rodriguez


    You know, ants are the only creature besides humans to harbour feelings of revenge.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 701 ✭✭✭Paco Rodriguez



    What happens, when the heart just stops? Stops caring for anyone?


    You're listening to Glen Hansard too much


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,716 ✭✭✭✭Earthhorse


    You know, ants are the only creature besides humans to harbour feelings of revenge.
    *leaves town*


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,564 ✭✭✭✭steddyeddy


    steddyeddy wrote: »
    well actually if cokes used for medical research i would say that serves a better use than you and your friends getting high![/QUOTE]

    Honey bees!
    What possible medical research requires bees to charlie up?
    Come on now!

    By the way, I'm guessing you weren't one of the ones stealing the ket!! :D

    well no comment on the last comment :P

    Yea your right about the honey bees but as far as i know coke has been used in the past as anesthetic in in nose and eye operations.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,789 ✭✭✭✭ScumLord


    It might be better to say humans have an overdeveloped emotional aspect to how their brain works but can pain be considered an emotion? I would have thought it's much more basic than that more like turning on a light switch in that it's a very real and physical thing that's happening within your body where as emotions are not directly tied to one thing in particular.

    I don't think every living thing has emotions, emotions don't have a whole lot of uses, I assumed they're more a side effect of our development than anything.

    The bottom line may simply be that they don't have the hardware to feel emotion, we just can't think that animals are anything like us in the way they think, if they have no need to develop emotions they more than likely don't feel any.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 167 ✭✭Trappers Son


    You're listening to Glen Hansard too much

    What do you mean? I was just thinking to myself?:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,528 ✭✭✭✭dsmythy


    No idea, but I can tell you for certain that sheep feel pleasure.
    When those insect overlords finally do take over the only question on their minds will be how much fear a human can feel. We will also learn they have no pity.


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