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How Human Should A Gorilla Be?

Koko, seen here with Penny Patterson (left) at age 4 1/2 — nearly 40 years ago — was taught sign language. June Monroe, an interpreter for the deaf at St. Luke's Church who helped teach Koko, is in the center. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images hide caption

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Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Opinion

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

How Human Should A Gorilla Be?

August 4, 2016 • Chosen four decades ago for a sign language research project, gorilla Koko remains caught between ape and human worlds. Barbara J. King takes a look at her life as seen in a new documentary.

Famous Gorilla 'Gives' A Climate Speech

Christophe Ena/AP

Opinion

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Famous Gorilla 'Gives' A Climate Speech

December 10, 2015 • What should we make of a video address by a sign-language-using gorilla to participants of the Paris climate conference? Anthropologist Barbara J. King says it's problematic.

Opinion

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Thoughts On Three Famous 'Language Apes'

September 27, 2012 • The apes Koko, Kanzi and Panbanisha are famous for their language abilities. Commentator and anthropologist Barbara J. King considers whether these abilities are being blown out of proportion with reality.

Opinion

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Koko's Breath Control With Musical Instruments: Video Clips

February 4, 2012 • To supplement Barbara's post from Thursday, here are some video clips of Koko the gorilla's breath control as she plays with a recorder and a harmonica.

A Famous Gorilla Plays The Recorder, And We All May Learn Something

Koko with a recorder Ronald H. Cohn/The Gorilla Foundation hide caption

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Ronald H. Cohn/The Gorilla Foundation

Opinion

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

A Famous Gorilla Plays The Recorder, And We All May Learn Something

February 2, 2012 • When Koko the gorilla plays tones on a recorder, she skillfully controls her breathing patterns. Commentator Barbara J. King explains why this is unexpected for a gorilla — and what it may mean for challenging ourselves to learn new skills throughout life.