#24: Smarter Than You
Calling someone a bird brain is no way to compliment their mental prowess. In fact, this phrase is an insult that insinuates they lack intelligence. But the surprising experiment in this story shows that we should reconsider what animals we liken people to when they aren’t displaying high-IQ thoughts and behaviors.
This research shows that, in some cases, a lowly pigeon can outperform an adult human. This experiment made it clear that these birds are a bit better at decerning the differences between the works of famous artists. But it’s not all that surprising when you consider this outcome more deeply and how few people express interest in fine art nowadays.