this post was submitted on 29 Sep 2025
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Science Memes

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[–] Microtonal_Banana@lemmy.zip 35 points 4 days ago (2 children)

I think my cat is a big stupid cat so we are even.

[–] QuinnyCoded@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 days ago

show cat pls

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[–] bennypr0fane@discuss.tchncs.de 41 points 4 days ago (8 children)

I've been wondering if that actually holds any water - or is it just some outdated, poor-quality study (or Sunday newspaper article) that was quoted so many times that everybody believes it now?

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[–] falseWhite@programming.dev 88 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (4 children)

he believes cats are semi-feral and that they think we are cats too

Ok, so it's just something someone believes, it's not very scientific... They don't really provide much evidence other than belief

[–] massive_bereavement@fedia.io 58 points 4 days ago

Probably this is yet another case of a journalist spinning yarn out of some poor researcher's paper summary, and then being quoted out of context.

[–] REDACTED 16 points 4 days ago

When I had a dog, I used to think my dog thinks he will grow just as big as me and will join my daily routine, which was a bit depressing when you think about it

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[–] Catoblepas@piefed.blahaj.zone 90 points 4 days ago (2 children)

No, they have absolutely no idea about nuclear war and apparently no clear sense that we might be some other species, despite not quite having the strokably hairy torsos they enjoy.

Speak for yourself, my torso hair is luxurious.

[–] Uli@sopuli.xyz 45 points 4 days ago (2 children)

My cat knows about nuclear war. He simply hasn't chosen to exercise the knowledge.

[–] ignotum@lemmy.world 7 points 4 days ago (1 children)

True, it's common knowledge that all cats know the exact time and date when the first bombs are going to fall, leading to the fall and eventual extinction of the human race
But they all refuse to tell us because they're silly furry goobers

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[–] SoleInvictus@lemmy.blahaj.zone 10 points 4 days ago (1 children)

This will totally dox myself to anyone who might be in or know someone in an old friend group.

I'm a very furry person - I joke that I put the hair suit in hirsute - but at least it's soft! Years upon years ago, I had a one night stand with my then future partner's (now ex's) best friend. It was bad. Really, awkwardly bad. The kind of bad where I woke up the next morning and, instead of trying for another go, groaned inwardly because they were still there, a living reminder of how bad it was.

I took out my phone and hastily messaged my best friend, asking her advice on politely dealing with this. Unbeknownst to me, my guest was awake, messaging my future partner. She described being barely awake in the early morning, petting my cat. I didn't have a cat or any pets. As she became more aware, she realized she was petting my chest.

Apparently some humans think I'm a big stupid cat too.

P.s. She also thought the sex was awful.

[–] prettybunnys@sh.itjust.works 7 points 4 days ago

Thank you for sharing this story.

[–] JackbyDev@programming.dev 29 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I don't buy this because cats will react totally differently to cats than people. Regardless of posture. If my cat sees someone walking down the street she doesn't get angry. If my cat sees a cat outside she's already on the defense.

[–] Fedizen@lemmy.world 11 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

I think people are leaving out purring and kneading as behavior. Both are kitten behaviors. Suggesting to humans they click into "kitten mode"

[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 53 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Can confirm, am big stupid cat. 😺

[–] Aggravationstation@feddit.uk 16 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I've heard this a few times and doubt it. At least with my cat. He howls at other cats and tries to attack them. He loves humans.

[–] Fedizen@lemmy.world 13 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Because you're his big bald kitten

[–] Aggravationstation@feddit.uk 6 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Oh boy. You don't know how right you are.

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[–] FUCKING_CUNO@lemmy.dbzer0.com 24 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Did I miss the explanation of why this person thinks such a fuckin stupid thing?

[–] mbfalzar@lemmy.dbzer0.com 22 points 4 days ago (1 children)

The thing I've seen is that when they show dogs an image of their owner while the dog is in a PET scan, and show the dog pictures of other animals, the same part of the brain lights up, while showing the dog pictures of other dogs lights up a different but close area of the brain. Doing the same test on cats had one area lighting up for other animals, but the same part lighting up when shown their owner and when shown other cats

[–] Johanno@feddit.org 13 points 4 days ago

While it is scientific people should provide the context that we don't really understand brains fully yet and this doesn't mean that his belief or conclusion is correct

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 16 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (2 children)

3 college professors (1990) suggested we read Desmond Morris' books. Don't know how the science has stood up, but he believed this. Dogs and cats think humans are weird versions of their own species, that we're basically their parents, and act accordingly. Nothing IRL has dissuaded me from that notion.

One interesting idea I got from him; When we're small we love huge animals, see them as parents. As we get older, we like small animals, see them as our children.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmond_Morris

Again, don't know how it stands up, but The Naked Ape is damned thought provoking.

[–] I_Has_A_Hat@lemmy.world 6 points 4 days ago

Nothing IRL has dissuaded me from that notion.

Cats react differently when seeing an unfamiliar cat than they do when seeing an unfamiliar human.

[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 10 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Also, people should keep in mind, that kittens are born with their eyes still sealed shut for a while. So once they open their eyes and finally get to see the world, they naturally accept the creatures that have been and continue to care for them.

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[–] sad_detective_man@sopuli.xyz 22 points 4 days ago (2 children)
[–] TeamAssimilation 27 points 4 days ago (1 children)

And they KNOW humans provide sustenance on a regular basis, and protection, so I can’t believe they think we’re just giant hairless monstrous cats. They’d have to think everything else is a cat otherwise. Look at the flying cats, mom! I’m gonna catch and eat one!

[–] psud@aussie.zone 1 points 2 days ago

Perhaps they think we're too stupid to realise they've grown up and could feed themselves, just so long as they pretend to be kittens by meowing

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[–] ivanafterall@lemmy.world 9 points 4 days ago

That's pretty rich given that they're the ones who are big, stupid cats. 😡🤬

[–] primrosepathspeedrun@anarchist.nexus 17 points 4 days ago (1 children)

The difference between a domestic cat and a wild cat is like 90% size.

[–] AltheaHunter@lemmy.blahaj.zone 14 points 4 days ago
[–] logicbomb@lemmy.world 14 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I've seen people who treat their cats like they are little stupid humans.

[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 17 points 4 days ago (1 children)

But they are!

They can't even turn doorknobs, no matter how many months they try. But you give them a lever knob, that's a totally different story...

[–] YoSoySnekBoi@kbin.earth 10 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I had a cat as a kid that could turn doorknobs - my parents would send him to the basement at night because he had a bad habit of trying to mark furniture as his territory, and we had to start locking the door because he figured out how to open it

[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 10 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Round doorknobs? Your kitty actually gripped and turned it?

Dang, ours tried tirelessly for like 2 months. He knew and understood exactly what we were doing, and we could literally see him trying to turn it, but he never could get a good enough grip.

My dad kept a latch lock on the front door though, eventually our cat learned all on his own to bat at and use as his own door knocker.

Not all cats are stupid, just limited in human abilities..

[–] YoSoySnekBoi@kbin.earth 12 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Our cat would jump up and hang from the doorknob by both of his front paws and then wiggle back and forth until it opened. Our other cat at the time could never figure it out lol

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[–] djsoren19@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 3 days ago

stupid? nonono, I'm da giant cat that makes all of da rulez.

[–] switcheroo@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago

I'm fine with that. Better that being a tall ape descendant slash servant.

Cats are great. 😊

what if the cats were right

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