in defense of ugly animals (by sara mcdonnell)
Post on 14-Dec-2014
2.077 Views
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
In Defense of Ugly Animals
Human Preferences and Animal
Conservation Efforts
Goodbye to the Aye Aye
The Aye Aye of Madagascar
QuickTime™ and aSorenson Video 3 decompressorare needed to see this picture.
Don’t you love me?
Aesthetic Qualities
Cute Animal = $$$$$
Ugly animal = $
How can we use human preferences to make new conservation programs successful?
All animals have intrinsic value
American attitudes toward wildlife.
9 Values
UtilitarianEcologicalScientificHumanisticMoralisticDominionisticNegativisticNaturalisticAesthetic
Primary preference factor: distinctive aesthetic qualities
Key features
SizePhysical appearanceTextureMovementPowerDanger
Is this an endangered species?
big beautiful fast
ugly harmful disgusting
Dislikereptilesamphibiansinvertebrates
Likemammals
birdsfish
Neotony: The “Cute” Factor
The look of neoteny: big eyes big head stub nose pudgy cheeks
Humans are attracted to animals with neotenous features because they resemble human babies.
Neoteny sells.
The evolution of Mickey Mouse.
Penguins score high on the cute scale.
Chinstrap penguin
King penguin
King penguin
Crested penguin
Human aesthetic preferences influence conservation policy and programs.
Majestic and symbolic
CharismaticMegafauna
Noble
small & plain
Embrace the “cute factor.”
“ … focus on the lovable aspects of ugly animals—whether it’s a dash of color or the way they waddle about.”
Slender Slow Loris
No More Cute.
All nonhuman species should be conserved.
Americans recognize the dependence of society and its economy on a healthy ecosystem.
Ecological education is paying off.
No more supermodels.
Biodiversity is good.
Ugly but important.
Ugly but industrious.
Knut is still cute.
QuickTime™ and aSorenson Video 3 decompressorare needed to see this picture.
The end.
top related