Re: Parrot worked to death?

"M.J." <M.J.@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
news:2aCGi.3046$Sd4.308@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> If  Dr.Irene Pepperberg is not mad she ought to stop,
> and seriously re-think what she's doing. to these birds,
> before another suffers a pre-mature death.
>
> There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that such
> a rigorous curriculum that she's subjecting the birds to,
> must over time be extremely traumatic to the birds and
> in particular their brains.
>
> There is no point in letting another parrot perish
> for the sake of teaching it to count to seven, or eight,
> or some other similar achievement.
>
> Alex, and Dr.Pepperberg's research has shown a lot,
> there is no point in streching it too far.  Besides she may
> get better results following a more leisurely path.  Had
> Alex lived another 10 or 20 years, he might have
> progressed farther.
>
> M.J.

What are you basing this tirade upon?  The birds are not doing push-ups. 
They are thinking.  Since when is thinking hazardous to health?  I recall 
Alex being quite in control of ending sessions.  He had the final word
about 
his limits.  Likely, he enjoyed the attention and stimulation.  I recall 
that his "family" was small and he "tested" lab newcomers to see how much 
they understood.  His worldwide recognition wasn't because he did bus
tours. 
His videos were circulated.  His life was probably as ordinary as any of
our 
birds upon which we lavish time, energy and attention.

Sincerely,
Joanne