Training Circus Lobster

Zooillogix

I cannot train my dog Mathman not to pee on the damned carpet but New England Aquarium’s senior trainer, cryptically known simply as “Erin”, can teach a lobster to score higher on the GRE than me.

As some readers of this blog may know, I have long been concerned with growing Lobster / Human tensions as illustrated in this alarmist Geocities site I created in 2000 while hungover in Belgium at “work.” So the question I pose is this: will training lobsters lead to mutual understanding or merely create more efficient killers ala the CIA and Taliban circa 1985?

Although it might not make Letterman’s “stupid pet tricks” anytime soon, this video of a lobster trained to stick its claw through a hoop before getting fed is pretty cool. The lobster equivalent of “giving paw” perhaps…

Even cooler, here Erin has taught the lobster to roll-over.

Learn more about Erin’s lobster walking, day care and grooming service here. I am eagerly awaiting a promised video of a lobster catching a Frisbee and returning it to the thrower, then barking “I Love You!”

Comments

#1 Jives
May 6, 2009

Oh.. and this gets even better.

They’re calling the 24 pounder “Jedi.”
#2 william e emba
May 7, 2009

Heh. Heh heh.

Here is the plot summary from Wikipedia for the Charles Stross short story “Lobsters”, a Hugo and Nebula award nominee, and now the first chapter in his novel Accelerando:

In Amsterdam, Manfred receives a call on a courier-delivered phone from entities claiming to be a net-based AI working for KGB dot RU, seeking his help on how to defect. Eventually, he discovers they are actually uploaded brain-scans of the California spiny lobster looking to escape from humanity’s interference. He manages to team them up with Bob Franklin, who is looking for an AI to crew his nascent spacefaring project—the building of a self-replicating factory complex from cometary material—which he created with Manfred’s help. Later, Manfred’s predatory fiancée forces him to impregnate and marry her in an attempt to control him.

I’m not trying to imply anything. But it’s a might fine coincidence.
#3 Michael
May 19, 2009

‘In Amsterdam, Manfred receives a call on a courier-delivered phone from entities claiming to be a net-based AI working for KGB dot RU, seeking his help on how to defect.’

I think this is not true.
#4 tatil yerleri
June 10, 2009

In Amsterdam, Manfred receives a call on a courier-delivered phone from entities claiming to be a net-based AI working for KGB dot RU, seeking his help on how to defect…
#5 tatil hotel
June 10, 2009

of very very good..
#6 dance
June 19, 2009

Wow this is incredible great thanks
#7 Norman Rimm
July 2, 2012

I like it Raaabbb! Thanks for that suggestion. Also: cool name.
#8 Lake
July 5, 2012

I’m impressed, I must say. Really rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. Your idea is outstanding; the issue is something that not enough people are speakin
#9 The New Beginning 2012
July 6, 2012

I in no way realized how much chartreuse is in my house. I didn’t know I even like that color until this challenge. Now I want more, more, more