How to Speak Whale is a truly captivating and entertaining book written by Tom Mustill, a wildlife filmmaker who had a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with a humpback whale. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably always wondered what goes on in the minds of these majestic creatures. Well, Tom delves into this topic and more in his book, making it a must-read for anyone interested in animal behavior and the potential future of technology in animal communication.
The book starts with Tom’s own personal experience of being charged by a humpback whale while on a kayaking trip. As you can imagine, it’s a pretty intense experience, and Tom was understandably left with a lot of questions. But little did he know that this event would lead him on a journey of discovery that would change his life forever.
Tom’s curiosity about the whale’s behavior led him on a quest to understand more about whale communication. And as it turns out, we may be closer than ever to genuinely talking to animals. With the advancements in natural science and AI, scientists and start-ups across Silicon Valley and beyond are working to turn the fantasy of Dr Doolittle into a reality. And, as Tom points out, whales, with their giant mammalian brains and sophisticated communications, offer one of the most realistic opportunities for us to do so.
But what would the consequences of such human-animal interaction be? Tom explores this question in great detail in the book and brings up some thought-provoking points. It’s definitely not all sunshine and rainbows, but it’s a conversation that needs to be had.
One of the things I enjoyed most about this book is Tom’s writing style. He has a great sense of humor and doesn’t take himself too seriously, which makes for an enjoyable reading experience. He also includes a lot of interesting facts and tidbits about whales that I found to be quite fascinating. I mean, did you know that humpback whales have been known to rescue other animals from killer whales? Now that’s a true superhero!
In conclusion, How to Speak Whale is a thrilling investigation into whale science and animal communication, and a poignant look at how technology may change our relationship with animals forever. It’s a great read for anyone interested in animal behavior and the potential future of technology in animal communication. And let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good humpback whale story? So, don’t be shy, dive into this book and discover the exciting world of whale communication!
“We rarely pause to consider what animals think or feel, or question whether their inner lives resemble our own. Tom Mustill’s fascinating and deeply humane book shows us why we must do so—and what we, and the planet, could stand to gain by it.”
GRETA THUNBERG
