Episode Details

Join Rob McConnell as he welcomes Dr. Betty Jean Craige, Professor Emerita of Comparative Literature at the University of Georgia, author, scholar, translator and the human companion of an extraordinary African Grey parrot named Cosmo. Craige is the author of Conversations with Cosmo: At Home with an African Grey Parrot, a fascinating and often hilarious account of life with a bird whose remarkable use of human language raises intriguing questions about animal intelligence, communication and consciousness. The 'X' Zone guest archives list Dr. Craige's appearance under Conversations with Cosmos. Cosmo is a female Congo African Grey parrot who came to live with Craige when she was approximately six months old. As Cosmo grew, she didn't simply repeat sounds—she accumulated an impressive vocabulary and appeared to use particular words, phrases and non-word sounds in appropriate social situations. University of Georgia researchers studied Cosmo and reported that her vocal behaviour varied according to social context, suggesting something that went beyond simple vocal imitation and approached functional use. In Conversations with Cosmo, Craige recounts the remarkable relationship that developed between human and parrot. Cosmo interacts with people and other animals, asks for things, responds to situations and displays what Craige interprets as affection, preferences, humour and an unmistakable personality. Publishers Weekly noted Cosmo's capacity for language, sociability, reasoning and opinion while describing Craige's larger examination of whether humans have underestimated the mental lives of other species. Join Rob McConnell and Dr. Betty Jean Craige on The 'X' Zone Radio Show for a delightful yet surprisingly profound conversation about parrots, language, intelligence, personality and animal consciousness. When an African Grey doesn't merely imitate our words but appears to use them appropriately, what exactly is happening inside that remarkable avian brain? Is Cosmo simply an exceptionally talented mimic—or is she demonstrating that the boundary separating human and animal communication may be far less distinct than we once believed? Craige continued exploring these questions in her later book, Ruminations on a Parrot Named Cosmo.

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