44 points | by jimnotgym 8 hours ago
22 comments
Don’t get me wrong, this is very interesting, but there is something very funny about the idea that “give a chimpanzee stuff and see if they like it” is academic research.
This could absolutely be a headline on The Onion.
Definitely gives fuel to those in congress looking to defund university budgets
Senator: "And this one! '1.2 million dollars to study if Chimpanzees think crystals are pretty.' That's your tax dollars at work, folks!"
> But he’s also very interested in “the impact of crystals on the history of art and the history of mind,”
This made my eyes roll a bit.
"Breaking: Animals Have Preferences"
I'd gladly trade you a banana tomorrow for a crystal today.
Full article share link: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/04/science/chimpanzees-cryst...
Share links need accounts anyway? Is this new?
"You have free access to this story. Continue reading with a Times account"
https://archive.ph/EHCxx
archive.ph isn’t working for me, but .is works
https://archive.is/EHCxx
What if you place a whole bunch of similar crystals in a pile, with only 1 or 2 smooth rocks?
I’m willing to bet they will go after the smooth rocks and it’s about rarity, not crystals.
> I’m willing to bet they will go after the smooth rocks and it’s about rarity, not crystals.
Why? Crystals are pretty, rocks are not. We clearly prefer shiny colorful things to dull beige things, even if shiny things are abundant.
They're also into bananas
so are people! we overthrew multiple countries for banan
"Bananoi", please. They aren't Latin.
What's wrong with bananas?
They're a nightmare for atheists!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfv-Qn1M58I
A sizable percentage of the human population is deathly allergic to bananas.
I'm mildly allergic to bananas, but I don't think the number of people allergic to bananas is "sizable."
My son is not, and he will let you know how not allergic he is to Bananas if he sees any that he is not eating.
And this is relevant how?
Me too.
You're talking ** Karl, PLAY A RECORD
Don’t get me wrong, this is very interesting, but there is something very funny about the idea that “give a chimpanzee stuff and see if they like it” is academic research.
This could absolutely be a headline on The Onion.
Definitely gives fuel to those in congress looking to defund university budgets
Senator: "And this one! '1.2 million dollars to study if Chimpanzees think crystals are pretty.' That's your tax dollars at work, folks!"
> But he’s also very interested in “the impact of crystals on the history of art and the history of mind,”
This made my eyes roll a bit.
"Breaking: Animals Have Preferences"
I'd gladly trade you a banana tomorrow for a crystal today.
Full article share link: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/04/science/chimpanzees-cryst...
Share links need accounts anyway? Is this new?
"You have free access to this story. Continue reading with a Times account"
https://archive.ph/EHCxx
archive.ph isn’t working for me, but .is works
https://archive.is/EHCxx
What if you place a whole bunch of similar crystals in a pile, with only 1 or 2 smooth rocks?
I’m willing to bet they will go after the smooth rocks and it’s about rarity, not crystals.
> I’m willing to bet they will go after the smooth rocks and it’s about rarity, not crystals.
Why? Crystals are pretty, rocks are not. We clearly prefer shiny colorful things to dull beige things, even if shiny things are abundant.
They're also into bananas
so are people! we overthrew multiple countries for banan
"Bananoi", please. They aren't Latin.
What's wrong with bananas?
They're a nightmare for atheists!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfv-Qn1M58I
A sizable percentage of the human population is deathly allergic to bananas.
I'm mildly allergic to bananas, but I don't think the number of people allergic to bananas is "sizable."
My son is not, and he will let you know how not allergic he is to Bananas if he sees any that he is not eating.
And this is relevant how?
Me too.
You're talking ** Karl, PLAY A RECORD