A raccoon managed to solve an intelligence problem by bypassing it.
In a study, the researchers set up a cylinder with a floating marshmallow too low for the raccoons to grab. For the training session, the team balanced some stones on the rim of the tube. When the raccoons knocked them in, it showed how dropping stones in the water would raise the height. Once this had been done, the researchers set up the experiment again, this time with stones on the ground.
Two of the eight raccoons realized that if they pick up these stones, they can use them to bring up the height of the water and reach the delicious marshmallow.
But a third sneaky raccoon managed to create an entirely new method – tipping the entire, very heavy tube so the sugary snack would just come out with the water.
Birds certainly haven’t done that before, as far as we know. (1)
Being clever is about solving problems.
Being very clever is about solving a different problem than the one presented.
Being wise is about thinking there is no problem at all.
We value cleverness. But we misinterpret wisdom for stupidity.
When someone does not see or understand the problems we have, we insist that he is not-so-intelligent simply because he does not share our image of the cosmos. Most of the times we are right. The world is full of stupid people. But sometimes, just sometimes, we are wrong. And the “stupid” old man standing by us is wiser than we can ever imagine.
A racoon throws rocks into the tube to eat.
A smart racoon overturns the tube to eat.
A man admires the racoon.
A wise man does not even want to eat…
