I recently saw this video on YouTube about an octopus that mimics other marine life. Holy cow, it is so neat! Here it is for you. What do you think? Amazing, right?
So after I watched this, the wheels wouldn't stop turning. Here is this amazing animal using mimicking as a primary defense. And since I am always coming up with theories on autism, I instantly dove into one of my primary theories, that the brain is caught up in a series, nest, web of defense mechanisms starting at birth with the most basic reactions...you lay a baby down on a table and he cries because the brain senses a falling sensation. Poor water over a baby's head, the brain says, "You're drowning! Scream for all you're worth." So going with this, the rest of the stims, behaviors, quirks, common with people with autism are somehow related to the brain's dilegent and confusing attempt at defense. One of the most common stims? Mimicking! Also called echolalia. The octopus mimics other marine life to survive. Messages are being sent, data is being processed, and in all that, the octopus decides what animal to become. Despite my working "defense" theory, I hadn't considered my son's echolalia until I watched this short video, but wouldn't it be neat to compare the chemical reactions this amazing octopus experiences to those a person with autism experiences in the midst of mimicking? (Not compare in a way that endangers human or octopus)...Okay, so I'm nutty. I do this, theorize.
How about you all? Any nutty people out there with something to say? Crazy or not, Think Out Loud is for anyone to post anything! ANYTHING.
Theorizing is fun!
ReplyDeleteThe one that looked like a furry animal, the running one; what would that be for (defense wise).
You're not nutty; brainstorming about things is good; and caring about your 'subject" is even better. Even if it's also an octopus .
I'm not sure about the one running, but I did laugh. You know, elephants laugh, maybe there are marine animals that laugh too! See, I am nutty. Any more stuffed panda conversations with your best friend?
DeleteWow! Makes me think of the cuttlefish. A Super amazing fish! Plus miming and mimicking other life forms for survival is key to staying alive. Survival of the fittest you know.
ReplyDeleteAnd survival of the most cunning! I love this octopus. I don't know cuttlefish. I'll have to look it up. I hope the reading, writing, and trip planning are going well. I just fell into a CD Reiss bender and I'm slowly coming out of it. Have you read her stuff?
DeleteI think it's awesome that you are always theorizing to understand your son better, Robyn! He is very lucky to have you for his mom :)
ReplyDeleteAnd all different kinds of instincts always make me wonder and theorize as well - it is just so interesting how our brains and bodies work, and how little it takes to make them work a little differently.
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
Yes! It is so interesting how our brains and bodies work. Sometimes our basic programming takes over despite our best attempts to be reasonable creatures. Just last week I was sitting on the bleachers watching John during his swim lessons, but my mind was divided between him and the toddler walking freely just two feet from the pool. I wanted the mom to reel her away from the edge, so when she darted past me away from her mom my whole body lunged forward to catch her. Then I caught sight of her grandma swooping her in for a hug. She was just running to her grandma. I turned bright red because my whole body came off my seat and her mom caught all of it. It was out of my control. Then I had to come down from the adrenalin rush.
DeleteI'm speechless, Robyn! I really am.Your theory makes sense to me and the video about the Mimic octopus is just ... wow!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that video so neat? That octopus is so amazing and I remember an octopus darting past me during a night dive when I was a kid. I was mesmerized and at the same time I felt like apologizing for shining my scary flashlight in its direction. It felt like such a thinking animal. I think my theory is pretty sound too! Thanks for that. I've slowed down with all the theories for sanity sake because a person shouldn't just study one thing.
DeleteI hope you have a great week, Athina!! I'm working on a story right now, but I'm a little stuck.