Do you think insects feel emotions?

OutlawPete · 05-08-2010 02:45AM #1

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?

alwaysadub · 05-08-2010 02:47AM

No idea, but I can tell you for certain that sheep feel pleasure.

It was probably the smell of your after shave..

DOC09UNAM · 05-08-2010 02:48AM

Did you wash your hands after the toilet?

Killer Pigeon · 05-08-2010 02:49AM

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!!!

kjl · 05-08-2010 02:53AM

Do you think cannabis makes you stoned?

OutlawPete · 05-08-2010 02:54AM

Killer Pigeon wrote: »

.. 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?

Saila · 05-08-2010 02:58AM

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

NoHornJan · 05-08-2010 03:01AM

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...

Killer Pigeon · 05-08-2010 03:03AM

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.

starbelgrade · 05-08-2010 03:07AM

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.

Killer Pigeon · 05-08-2010 03:08AM

No idea, but I can tell you for certain that sheep feel pleasure.

By the way everyone, spiders are arachnids not insects.

Saila · 05-08-2010 03:11AM

starbelgrade wrote: »

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

we'llallhavetea_old · 05-08-2010 03:13AM

i say kill them all! horrible bastards :mad:

HxGH · 05-08-2010 03:14AM

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?

starbelgrade · 05-08-2010 03:15AM

Killer Pigeon wrote: »

By the way everyone, spiders are arachnids not insects.

What do you call a spider with no legs then?

A Currant

Tar.Aldarion · 05-08-2010 03:25AM

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.

Killer Pigeon · 05-08-2010 03:30AM

No idea, but I can tell you for certain that sheep feel pleasure.

we'llallhavetea wrote: »

i say kill them all! horrible bastards :mad:

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5YYViktsfA

starbelgrade · 05-08-2010 03:35AM

Saila wrote: »

do spiders have ears

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

steddyeddy · 05-08-2010 03:41AM

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

Waestrel · 05-08-2010 03:41AM

why are the spiders different sizes?

strobe · 05-08-2010 03:43AM

No, are you mad?

Waestrel wrote: »

why are the spiders different sizes?

Why are the birds different sizes? Same deal.

steddyeddy · 05-08-2010 03:43AM

ted why are the rocks all different sizes!

starbelgrade · 05-08-2010 03:50AM

Waestrel wrote: »

why are the spiders different sizes?

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

Killer Pigeon · 05-08-2010 03:52AM

No idea, but I can tell you for certain that sheep feel pleasure.

starbelgrade wrote: »

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

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

Overheal · 05-08-2010 04:03AM

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.

maninasia · 05-08-2010 04:06AM

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

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)

Prof.Badass · 05-08-2010 09:27AM

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).

Liam Byrne · 05-08-2010 09:32AM

Prof.Badass wrote: »

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

Depends.....do insects have hands ?

WindSock · 05-08-2010 09:35AM

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHzdsFiBbFc

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.

sbsquarepants · 05-08-2010 10:29AM

Prof.Badass wrote: »

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!

steddyeddy · 05-08-2010 10:51AM

sbsquarepants wrote: »

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!

Do you think insects feel emotions?

Do you think insects can feel emotions? 109 votes

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