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CP Text: The United States federal government should fund the establishment an open-ended framework for language between humans and dolphins whilst beyond the Earths mesosphere. Establishing full communication with dolphins overcomes the anthropocentric ideologies of the status quo, ensuring animal rights. Creating a mutual, open framework for inter-species language is the key to decoding their syntax, allowing us to realize the extent of our knowledge. This type of linguistic compatibility is the key to genuine communication with an alien other Maclver bioengineer at Northwestern University studying the neural and biomechanical basis of animal intelligence. and Munkittrick program director at the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies and a grad student at NYU. 11 (Malcolm and Kyle, Learning the Language of Dolphins, 2/18/11,
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/sciencenotfiction/2011/02/18/learning-the-alien-language-of-dolphins/)

Humans and dolphins are inventing a common language together. This is big news! In all the hoopla over the world ending due to being asteroid-smashed, man becoming immortal thanks to the singularity in 2045, and Watson the trivia-machine winning Jeopardy! the story of budding interspecies communication got under-reported. Denise Herzing and her team with the Wild Dolphin project has begun developing a language to allow humans and dolphins to communicate. If successful, the ability to communicate with dolphins would fundamentally change animal intelligence research, animal rights arguments, and our ability to talk to aliens. Herzing and her team faced two huge problems when it came to talking to dolphins. The first problem is that the current state of animal language research creates an asymmetrical relationship between humans and the animals with whom they wish to communicate. The second problem is that (save for parrots) animal vocal cords cannot replicate human speech, and visa versa. Most, if not nearly all, animal language research involves either studying how animals communicate with one another, or teaching them a human language to see if they can communicate with us. There is a problem with both methodshumans dont learn much (if any) animal language in the process. Think of it this way: how many commands does the smartest dog youve met know? Some border collies, like Chaser, can learn upwards of 1000 words. Now how many words do you know in dog? Or parrot? How about gorilla or whale? Know any corvid? I bet you can at least read cuttlefish patterns, right? No? Of course, Im being facetious, but with a purpose: up to this point, humans have always attempted to understand animal language by teaching animals how to talk to humans. The glaring flaw in this process of teaching animals to use human language is that it is nary impossible to prove the animal is using language, not merely playing a very complex game of repeater. There is a second,
equally interesting problem. Think about your favorite science fiction series populated by aliens (for me, thats a toss up between Star Trek and Mass Effect). At some point in that series, an alien has introduced itself as having a very un-alien name, like Grunt. The reason? My real name is unpronounceable by humans. That is rarely an actual problem, because as it always works out the other alien species (why do we refer to aliens as races btw?) can pronounce our human words. One of the only films I can think of that doesnt have this common sci-fi fallacy is District 9. Humans and prawn seem to be able to understand the others language in a rudimentary way, despite neither species being even remotely able to reproduce the others sounds. Cetaceans pose the same problem: humans cannot whistle, squeak, chortle, or pop the way a beluga or bottlenose can. Further, the higher squeals of some dolphins and the low rumbles of some whales are beyond the human auditory spectrum. Dolphins cant say a word in human languages and we certainly cant do more than parody the spectrum of cetacean sounds. Which presents quite a question: How in the heck did Herzing figure out a way to both not teach the dolphins an anthropocentric language and ensure the language was speakable by both species? Herzings team developed a communication system with a sprig of technology and a heaping helping of ingenuity: Herzing created an open-ended

framework for communication, using sounds, symbols and props to interact with the dolphins. The goal was to create a shared, primitive language that would allow dolphins and humans to ask for props, such as balls or

scarves. Divers demonstrated the system by pressing keys on a large submerged keyboard. Other humans would throw them the corresponding prop. In addition to being labeled with a symbol, each key was paired with a whistle that dolphins could mimic. A dolphin could ask for a toy either by pushing the key with her nose, or whistling. Herzings study is the first of its kind. No one has tried to establish two-way communication in the wild. Amazing! Herzings method is effectively the same as that used in Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The keyboard allows for dolphins to teach humans as much as the humans teach the dolphins. Furthermore, the matched whistle will allow for a more natural integration of communication into the dolphins speech. Given the early stages of the project, it seems to have tremendous potential already. Yet Wired found it necessary to frame Herzings breakthrough within the search for extra terrestrial intelligence. As an analogy, I totally understand the reference to aliens. Thats why I used the examples I did above. What is frustrating is that the article seems to see Herzings research only as important when in the light of alien communication. No disrespect to NASA (pace the Bad Astronomer), but Id rather we dumped the funds from our space exploration and focused instead on the oceans of Earth. Weve got enough aliens and unexplored frontier right here on two-thirds of our pale blue dot. Thankfully, the flow of information among SETI scientists and marine biologists is two-way. Information theorists like Laurence Doyle (mentioned in the side bar of the Wired article) has used techniques for signal-searching developed with SETI to determine that whales and dolphins use grammar and syntax in their communication. The consequences for genuine communication between a new species is enormous. It would dramatically improve animal intelligence research, as well as make a real case that non-human persons should have limited rights. Success with the dolphins might enable researchers to devise forms of communication with a whole host of other intelligent animals. And, in the far flung future, we might get ourselves a universal translator.

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Dolphin research prepares us for communicating with extra-terrestrials. Darling PhD in astronomy from Manchester University and science writer 96 (David, Dolphins as a form of alien intelligence, http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/D/dolphins.html)
The controversial neurophysiologist John C. Lilly argued1 that dolphins represent a non-human form of intelligence on this planet with which we might learn to communicate. If he is right then the fact that intelligence has evolved at least twice on Earth

increases the chances that it might be common elsewhere. Additionally, our efforts to understand the complex language of dolphins may help prepare us for the problems we may face when attempting to communicate with an extraterrestrial race. Lilly's claims for dolphin intelligence are supported by the remarkable learning skills and playful, inventive behavior of

these animals. In recent years, researchers have observed bottlenose dolphins and beluga whales in captivity creating underwater rings and helices of air for their own amusement. A particularly strong "ring culture" has developed at Sea Life Park Hawaii, where the tradition is passed down from experienced adults to novices. Researchers Ken Marten, Karim Shariff, Suchi Psarakos, and Don J. White describe2 how dolphins also draw humans into their play: [O]ne day during a period of intense ring making, Tinkerbell repeatedly blew a ring and then came to the lab window where one of us (Psarakos) was videotaping, as if to include her in the activity. Once, we blew soap bubbles inside the lab in front of the dolphins' window, and within a few minutes one of the dolphins joined in by blowing simple, rising doughnut rings near the lab window. The real surprise came when the dolphin swam away ... and made several fluke vortex rings so different from what we each blew at the window. Lacking hands with

apposable fingers and thumb, or alternative manipulative appendages, dolphins are physically incapable of developing tools. Nevertheless, their behavior speaks of a creative, self-aware mind at work. They may serve as an indication that high intelligence is not always, or even often, accompanied by a significant level of technology (see intelligence, nature of). Yet to what extent the absence of delphian technology represents a fundamental limit to how closely we can hope to comprehend the thoughts of this fellow cerebral species is unclear.

We should seek to understand the dolphin narrative communicating with intelligent life on Earth is a prerequisite to understanding alien life
2/15/11 http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/02/seti-dolphins/)

Venton science writer studying at UC Santa Cruz 11 (Danielle, To Talk With Aliens, Learn to Speak With Dolphins,
The Kepler Space Telescope announced a new bonanza of distant planets this month, reconfirming that solar systems, some possibly hosting life, are common in the universe. So if humanity someday arrives at an extraterrestrial cocktail party, will we be ready to mingle? At the Wild Dolphin Project in Jupiter, Florida, researchers train for contact by trying to talk with dolphins. Behavioral biologist Denise Herzing started studying freeranging spotted dolphins in the Bahamas more than two decades ago. Over the years, she noticed some dolphins seeking human company, seemingly out of curiosity. We thought, This is fascinating, lets see if we can take it further, Herzing said. Many studies communicate with dolphins, especially in captivity, using fish as a reward. But its rare to ask dolphins to communicate with us. Dolphins have large,

sophisticated brains, elaborately developed in the areas linked to higher-order thinking. They have a complex social structure, form alliances, share duties and display personalities. Put a mirror in their tank and they can recognize themselves, indicating a sense of self. When trained, they have a remarkable capacity to pick up language. At the Dolphin Institute in Hawaii, Louis Herman and his team taught dolphins hundreds of words using gestures and symbols. Dolphins, they found, could understand the difference between statements and questions, concepts like none or absent, and that changing word order changes the meaning of a sentence. Essentially, they get syntax.Some tantalizing studies even suggest dolphins share their own language (see sidebar, Easier Language Through Math). All are qualities wed hope to see in an alien, and no daydream of contact is complete without some attempt at communication. Yet with dolphins, our attempts have involved teaching
them to speak our language, rather than meeting in the middle. Herzing created an open-ended framework for communication, using sounds, symbols and props to interact with the dolphins. The goal was to create a shared, primitive language that would allow dolphins and humans to ask for props, such as balls or scarves. Divers demonstrated the system by pressing keys on a large submerged keyboard. Other humans would throw them the corresponding prop. In addition to being labeled with a symbol, each key was paired with a whistle that dolphins could mimic. A dolphin could ask for a toy either by pushing the key with her nose, or whistling. Herzings study is the first of its kind. No one has tried to establish two-way communication in the wild. This is an authentic way to approach this, shes not imposing herself on them, said Lori Marino, the Emory University biologist who, with Hunter College psychologist Diana Reiss, pioneered dolphin self-recognition studies. Shes

cultivated a relationship with these dolphins over a very long time and its entirely on their terms. I think this is the future of working with dolphins. For each session, the researchers played with the dolphins for about half-an-hour, for a total of roughly 40 hours over the course of three years. They reported their findings of this pilot study in the December issue of Acta Astronautica. Herzings team found that six dolphins, all young females, were interested in the game, and would come to play when the game was on. Young males were typically less social and less interested in humans. This is when the females have a lot of play time, Herzing said, before they are busy being mothers. To Herzings surprise, some of her spotted dolphins recruited bottlenose dolphins, another species, to the game. This shows their natural curiosity, Herzing said. In the wild, dolphins

communicate across cetacean species lines, coordinating hunting with other dolphins and even sharing babysitting duties. Herzing found the study sessions were most successful when, before playing, the humans and dolphins swam together slowly and in synchrony, mimicked each other and made eye contact. These are signs of good etiquette among dolphins. Humans also signal their interest in someone with eye contact and similar body language. Perhaps these are universal and extraterrestrial signs of good manners. Before we hope to understand extraterrestrials, then, perhaps we should practice with smart animals right here on Earth. Astronomer Laurance Doyle of the SETI Institute was struck by this thought at a recent conference. From the way the presenter was speaking, I thought he was going to announce that he had found a signal of extraterrestrial intelligence, Doyle said. Weve been waiting for this for years, but I thought, Were not ready! We cant even speak to the intelligent animals on Earth.

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Dolphins ARE aliens UFOs brought them to Earth 100,000 years ago from a more advanced civilization. We need to save them from extinction to understand their lessons and avoid the same environmental mistakes here on Earth. USFG action is critical. Datiken, UFO expert for Weekly World News 09 (Erik Van Datiken, Dolphins are aliens, 9/14/09, http://weeklyworldnews.com/alien-alert/11754/dolphins-are-aliens/)
Dolphins are the descendants of aliens that came to Earth in UFOs 100,000 years ago, a leading researcher reports. I know it sounds crazy but its true, said the fame marine biologist Hsu Sen-sung. Weve always known that dolphins were extremely intelligent but now, for the first time, we know why. These magnificent creatures are highly-evolved life forms that came to Earth from a distant planet. And from what I understand, the civilization they left behind was even more advanced than our own. The Beijing-based experts report to a gathering of scientists and reporters met with some skepticism but he provided strong evidence to support his claims. Dramatic new studies suggest that some dolphins score higher on IQ tests than human beings. Hsu himself claims to have been communicating with a pair of the creatures telepathically since last December. The expert was vague when asked to explain how he managed to crack the communications barrier with dolphins. He did say that the breakthrough came when a male dolphin at a marine research facility grew close to one of my assistants and established a telepathic link that enabled it to put thoughts into her head. Full understanding of their thoughts and feelings came in fits and starts but we now seem to be on a common verbal ground, said Hsu. The dolphins have made it clear that their ancestors came here 100,000 years ago to escape pollution on their home planet. But their starships as well as the technological know-how that allowed them to save themselves have long since vanished. Ironically, the pollution that drove them here so many years ago is now threatening their existence once again. As our own oceans become more and more polluted, dolphins kills
are being reported around the world. But they no longer have the means to help themselves. They need us to find a solution for them. Hsu acknowledged that the Chinese government is considering how it might be able to assist dolphins. But he would neither confirm nor deny

that officials have quietly requested the help of the United States in solving the dolphins dilemma. These creatures have much to teach us, he said. We must do something to save them from extinction while we still have a chance.