- Wikipedia
This is a very common practice within animation. Every animated film you've seen with talking animals is an example of anthropomorphism. Or even with animals that have eyebrows or any characteristics that remind us of human behavior. I think it's really interesting that we, as a species, care in some ways more about other species than our own. Animals are cute and fuzzy, but also mysterious. It' fun to attribute them with human characteristics to imagine what they would do, because we simply don't know what's going on in their heads.
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| Yes, I made this. It was fun. |
This brings up two important issues to me.
Oh, btw, "The Fox" by Ylvis started playing on my Spotify as I wrote this. Hah!
First of all, the way we treat animals is absolutely horrifying. I understand it is a matter of the value of their life, which is hard to determine, but who are we to determine? We're not special. But then again, who are we pleasing by treating them right? Is it just for our own conscience? These questions are so hard to answer. I don't want to eat meat that comes from a pig that spent it's entire life in a tiny cage. But I don't really know if that mattered to the pig. Is it not a sort of anthropomorphism (see how I slithered that in?) to attribute my own anger and frustration to an animal without knowing if it's true? Also, how do we determine intelligence within animals and then decide who is smart enough to not die horribly? That sounds awfully macabre.
The second issue is not that relevant to anthropomorphism, but it's something that has been on my mind lately. Language is very restrictive! I hope, in the future, we are able to transmit thoughts without forcing them into words first. Miscommunication and lack of understanding is so frustrating and the cause of so much harm in our society. Which actually made me think of art. Some art is able to transcend language and communicate thoughts and feelings by it's own being. That truly amazes me!
Okay, I'll see you later!
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