[COP3] Anthropomorphism, Anecdotes, and Animals

This book is about the scientific and biological approaches towards understanding anthropomorphism in animal. It is very 'science' and discuss facts on anthropomorphism. From reading Daston and Mitman, I understand that anthropomorphism is not a positive term in science due to the object point of view and lack of evidence. However, same as Daston and Mitman's book, there are a lot of useful information on how people actually apply anthropomorphism outside animation and how did that come from. I think understanding the reason behind is key and I can learn how do people interpret animal's mind and gestures, try to see if this theory apply on object as well.

'What is best meant by anthropomorphism, then is what is traditionally meant: not the attribution of likeness, but its overestimation.' (Mitchell, R.W., Thompson, N.S. and Miles, L.H. (eds.),1996) I do not like the word overestimation because it is very negative. Maybe is is the truth that scientists do not like anthropomorphism however at it is also inevitable.

Specifically, I want to talk about a section in the book where they used photographs of Tim Flach, analysing the reason behind why we anthropomorphised animals. He shows senses and emotion of animals in his photos such as strong eye contact, pressure, body language. Reflecting on the way how audience look at these photos and what are the elements that make them feel connected. I am especially thrilled by the Bat photographs.

I started wondering why I see human qualities in them? Is that the standing pose? Is that the facial expression or is that the body language? Although the photos are just simply turned around, there is magic within that make me stare for ages. This would be a good example to put into the dissertation and evaluate the factors contribute to anthropomorphism. I think I would use Ed Hook's theory: The most important body language is not eye contact and talk about the photos and how it affect my opinion on anthropomorphism in animal. It is very useful source to my practical as well. Considering that the bats look like they are caricatured by the way Flach shoots, being creative is also a key element when creating anthropomorphised characters. It might be a good opportunities testing unusual objects with a different perspective and try to discover the human qualities without adding any to them. This encourage creativities in the characters, less cliche and lifeless.