Real hobbits, or a new Homo in Indonesia

[Bippy_the_Beardless]

@Podkayne

For that reason, this notion really creeps me out. I’m not sure why. We don’t find chimpanzees creepy because of their similiarities to us, we find them fascinating. Would we be creeped out if we had a chance to meet H. floresiensis, or fascinated?

A bit of both I susspect, the creepy thing is these ‘creatures’ used tools and (if the local legends are based on truth) had some sort of basic language. You don’t wonder what a chimp is saying about you behind your back, but these hominids would be different.

[Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor]

Extinct?
Maybe not.
For years, there have been rumours & sightings of a ground-dwelling ape in the Indonesias that walks upright, on two legs.

At first, they were dismissed as Orangutans. Lately, though, the consensus (and not merely among the Tinfoil Hat Brigade) is that there is another large ape species on the island.

Up until today, I thought that it was a close relative of the Orangutan.

Now…

[ShibbOleth]

@Bippy the Beardless

A bit of both I suspect, the creepy thing is these ‘creatures’ used tools and (if the local legends are based on truth) had some sort of basic language. You don’t wonder what a chimp is saying about you behind your back, but these hominids would be different.

I know what they’d be saying: Jeez, look at the size of that guy! We’ve got to get him on our basketball team!

[Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor]

@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor

Extinct?
Maybe not.
For years, there have been rumours & sightings of a ground-dwelling ape in the Indonesias that walks upright, on two legs.

At first, they were dismissed as Orangutans. Lately, though, the consensus (and not merely among the Tinfoil Hat Brigade) is that there is another large ape species on the island.

Up until today, I thought that it was a close relative of the Orangutan.

Now…

LINK

[Cervaise]

@Podkayne

For that reason, this notion really creeps me out. I’m not sure why.

Look up the “uncanny valley” effect. An entity that reminds us of a human being but that isn’t too similar, we find attractive. (Example: :)) An entity that is very very close to a human being but isn’t “quite right,” we find repulsive. (Example: The WASP-girl masks in the recent Wayans film White Chicks.) I don’t know if there’s a good explanation for why this would be the case, but it’s pretty well known.

[Podkayne]

@Cervaise

Look up the “uncanny valley” effect. An entity that reminds us of a human being but that isn’t too similar, we find attractive. (Example: :)) An entity that is very very close to a human being but isn’t “quite right,” we find repulsive. (Example: The WASP-girl masks in the recent Wayans film White Chicks.) I don’t know if there’s a good explanation for why this would be the case, but it’s pretty well known.

Oh, yeah, good point. I read an article about this not to long ago. I can’t find it online, but anyone who’s interested should google for the term; there are several articles that address it.

I think Bippy’s point is pretty good, too. It’s one thing to know that the chimps hate you and will attack you if you invade their territory. It’s another to imagine a non-human creature with the intelligence to take a dislike to you, then tell his friends what a jerk you are, then organize them to come after you with big rocks.

Though I’d imagine they’d feel the same way about us.

[NinjaChick]

This is very cool.

Also, I read the thread title as “Rental hobbits…”. Puts a whole new spin on it.

[Larry_Mudd]

Oh my God-- they are hobbits.

Witnesses frequently mention the Orang-Pendek’s startlingly humanlike appearance, thus its name. Sightings have been reported for centuries on Sumatra […] The local Kubu tribespeople also claim that unless tobacco was left for them at night, the [Orang-Pendek] would go on the rampage, screaming and yelling as they destroyed the natives’ camp.

“Pony up the pipe-weed, you longbottomed bastards!”

[Polycarp]

@Larry Mudd

Oh my God-- they are hobbits.“Pony up the pipe-weed, you longbottomed bastards!”

Are you saying that they Took it?

[sugaree]

In a very Merry fashion.

[Larry_Mudd]

I’m sure the big people thought it was Tobold of them.