The Intricate Communication of Sperm Whales
Sperm whales, the largest of the toothed whales, utilize a unique system of vocalizations to communicate in Earth’s oceans. These massive creatures produce bursts of clicking noises known as codas, resembling Morse code.
A Deeper Understanding
A recent analysis of sperm whale vocalizations in the eastern Caribbean has revealed a more complex communication system than previously recognized. Researchers discovered a sophisticated internal structure with a “phonetic alphabet,” drawing parallels to other animal communication systems and even human language.
Social Creatures
Like all marine mammals, sperm whales are highly social animals, with their vocalizations playing a crucial role in their interactions. The latest study has shed light on the intricacies of how these whales communicate.
Pratyusha Sharma, a doctoral student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, emphasized the richness of sperm whale calls, indicating a level of expressivity beyond prior understanding. The research aims to decipher the meaning behind these vocalizations in various behavioral contexts.
The Complexity of Sperm Whale Calls
With the largest brain of any animal, sperm whales are deep divers that feed on giant squid. The Project CETI Machine Learning Team conducted a thorough analysis of whale calls, revealing intriguing patterns in their communication.
Researchers, including Shane Gero from Carleton University, speculate that sperm whales use codas to coordinate family activities such as babysitting, foraging, and defense. The variations in click patterns and tempo suggest a structured form of communication akin to human language.
Comparing Communication Systems
Just as humans combine sounds to form words and sentences, sperm whales employ a two-level combination of features to create codas. These codas are then sequenced together to convey messages, resembling the building blocks of language.
While each species has a unique communication system tailored to its environment, the study of sperm whale communication highlights the potential for shared patterns across different species.
Potential for Inter-Species Communication
As scientists delve deeper into understanding sperm whale vocalizations, the question arises: should humans attempt to communicate with these majestic creatures? While the possibility remains uncertain, ongoing research aims to decode the information encoded in whale vocalizations.
As we unravel the behavioral context of these vocal exchanges, we may uncover valuable insights into the intricate world of sperm whale communication.
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Open Dating Trend in Henan Province: Examining the Side Effects of Appearance and Wealth Conditions
Travel around the country due to the popularity of ‘open dating’ in Henan Province, China
Side effects are discussed mainly based on conditions such as appearance and wealth.
As the marriage rate falls, cash incentives are also provided.
“I want someone who is good looking and I want someone who is rich.” ‘Open matching’, which involves specifying conditions such as appearance and wealth and finding a partner on the spot, is a hot topic in Chinese tourist destinations. On the 5th, SBS reported, “A public recruitment event was held in the heart of Henan Province, a famous tourist destination in China.” It’s an instant blind date where a participant says their ideal type and the audience raises their hand and chooses the person of the opposite sex who matches their ideal type.
A participant who took out a house document in a public match. [이미지출처=SBS 보도화면 캡처]
One female participant pulled out three house documents and showed them to her when she was told she was “a bit old.” Another woman surprised the host and the audience by saying she wanted a man with a salary of 25,000 yuan (about 4.7 million won), which is more than four times the average salary of a Chinese college graduate.
This event was originally organized to promote local tourist attractions, but as its popularity grew to the point that thousands of people flocked to take part and had to wait 3 days and 2 nights to get in, it expanded into a national touring event. Chinese state media highlights the effect of ‘encouraging marriage’, but side effects are also discussed as participants only present conditions such as appearance or wealth for a short period of time.
There is also criticism that it promotes the practice of ‘chairi’ (a type of cash gift given by the groom to the bride at the time of the wedding) which has degenerated into a bad practice in China by demanding an excessive amount of money . In China, chai-ri is known to cost tens of millions of won in each region, but the host of the event said, “Here in Henan Province, chai-ri costs 388,000 yuan (about 73 million won ).”
Netizens who saw this said, “It’s bittersweet. There were negative responses such as “The level is low and too obvious,” “The situation in our country seems to be similar these days,” and “It looks like a human auction market.”
Married couples in China have fallen for 9 years… Active village measures
These events reflect China’s low marriage rate. At the end of 2022, the number of married couples in China was 6.835 million, a decrease of more than 10% compared to the previous year, continuing the decline for the 9th year. While the unemployment rate has skyrocketed due to the economic slowdown, some say the marriage rate is falling as young people avoid going broke, let alone getting married.
Accordingly, many villages in China give prizes to increase the marriage rate. Last January, a village in Guangdong province decided to introduce spouses to unmarried young people and pay matchmakers a 600 yuan (about 110,000 won) introduction fee when they register their final marriage. Last November, a village in Shaanxi Province also attracted attention by agreeing to give a gamer 1,000 yuan (about 186,000 won) if he introduced a young man to a spouse and the game led to marriage.
Reporter Kim Seong-wook [email protected]
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Open Dating Trend in Henan Province: Examining the Side Effects of Appearance and Wealth Conditions
Musician and producer Steve Albini dies
Guitar and vocalist Shellac and previously Rapeman y Big Blackthese last two precursors of the noise sound in American indie music, Steve Albini –in the photograph in the center– he was responsible for the recording of some of the great albums in the history of alternative rock and indie rock, working as an engineer – he hated being considered a producer – on around two thousand albums. Great artists such as Nirvana or Pixies, going by PJ Harvey, Mogwai, Dirty Three, The Breeders to name just a few. Albini also recorded Spanish groups such as The Red Room, Berri Txarrak, 12twelve or La MODA
He brought an extra dose of rawness and a sharp sound close to punk to all the recordings in which he participated, adapting it to each of the artists. At the same time, he has been one of the most respected artists of the American alternative scene by always remaining firm in his way of understanding music, the business and his work in the studio.
Albini died at the age of sixty-one due to a heart attack. He was scheduled to perform with Shellac, like every year, at the next edition of Primavera Sound. Rest in peace one of the great generational and musical icons of an entire movement and a way of understanding music.
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