Wait til God gets hold of you…he’ll know you by the blood on your hands. You should go right and be on the left. No I’m not going to call you any names, fool.

However, one thing which is wonderful about creating characters in script writing, is the wonderful “back story”. Its very possible Kobe has a very complicated one. Screenwriters & directors are notorious for not letting all out of the bag, for many reasons.Also, this is a Science Fiction Movie, particularly, one about the “accelerated”/assimilation of the BRAIN/cognitive/language of a primate & gosh knows what else. If anything, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s going to be a whole new generation of young people being so impressed, that it will propel them to a future in science. Not too shabby for a movie which a person had to sit and watch in just under 3 hrs. A lot of accomplishment!

Thanks for your insights!

Really Josh, it doesn’t take much intelligence to “hold a grudge.” It takes a lot more to forgive and make peace. Jesus knew that, and so should you. A lot of your other statements here are incorrect too, especially about bonobos. But all will be revealed in The Bonobo Way… coming soon to a Kindle near you!

Yeah sorry. I completely read your article AFTER I sent the email and thought, “Shoot, she’s going to think I’m an idiot.” I respect you and I love all primates, but I still must disagree with you. The reason bonobos are so peaceful, is what your qualified in, sex. They do it to fix conflicts within the troop. If a bonobo does not have sex, he might as well be a common chimp. Bonobos’ peacefulness is not physical or mental, it’s behavioral. Here’s an analogy: Most Jews believe in God. Most bonobos are peaceful. If a Jew was raised in the slums of East LA, not by other Jews, but by African-American gangsters (no racism, just culture difference. I’m a Christian and believe all men are equal), there is no way you can expect him to act Jewish, or believe in God. If a bonobo was raised in a hateful environment, exactly like Koba, then how can you expect that bonobo to be peaceful and loving? I understand in your article, it says, ” Many are horribly traumatized by these experiences, some fail to rally and others develop psychological problems like depression and compulsivity. Still, no bonobo has been seen killing another bonobo, nor a human nor any other ape.” This may be true, but one must remember Koba is not just a bonobo, but a very intelligent bonobo. In “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: Firestorm” it tells how Koba was just as innocent as any other mistreated bonobo. He didn’t really understand what or why he got treated bad. But when he was given the ALZ-113, he now has the mental capabilities to hold a grudge and know exactly what is going on. I understand what you’re saying though. I’m think I’m done with this conversation, besides we’re arguing over a friggin’ apocalyptic Hollywood movie. I know the movie isn’t accurate. Thank you for taking the time to converse with me.

http://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-dawn-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-movie-politics-20140718-story.html

Thanks for your response Josh. But I did my “homework” and found out the same things you did, as I wrote in paragraphs 10-12. Apparently, you wrote your response about my being “naïve” before you read the whole article. I don’t know, but talk about doing “homework”…. ;))) Just because creatures have been treated badly – as real bonobos have – doesn’t mean that they are “filled with hate” or that they will become murderers. Please reread what I already wrote above.

Funny that you mention Koba having more of a snout than bonobos do. That’s very true!

I just read your article on the depiction of the bonobo apes in the recent Rise of the Planet of the Apes film.

Thank you for expressing some of the same thoughts that I myself had while watching the movie. Bonobo apes do not get the respect or appreciation they deserve, and this latest movie installment does more harm than good in educating the public on our closest genetic cousins. Personally, I was upset that my dearest ape friends, the orangutans, did not receive the screen time, save for Maurice, that the chimps or gorillas did. But considering the general lack of accuracy of the bonobo depictions, perhaps the absence of my gentile orange friends was a good thing. But I would also like if donations were made to the Official Orangutan Foundation International Website:

http://orangutan.org/

Considering the profits this film is making, and the exposure our ape friends are getting, I think more should be done to help better their lives in the real world, and not the “reel” world. Regardless, thank you again for an enlightening essay and getting accurate bonobo information out there.

Yours in Ape-titude,
Brian Benosky

I enjoyed reading your article in Counterpunch in regards to Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. I am not sure this has anything to do with anything but the main violent character is named Koba, and this was Joseph Stalin’s (underground) revolutionary name. Perhaps just a coincidence but interesting none the less.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_life_of_Joseph_Stalin

During his education in Tiflis, he picked up the nickname “Koba”, the Robin Hood-like protagonist from the 1883 novel The Patricide by Alexander Kazbegi. This became his favorite nickname throughout his revolutionary life.[7][8] Stalin continued to use Koba as his Party name in the underground world of the RSDLP. During conversations, Vladimir Lenin called Stalin “Koba”.

Your “Planet of the Bonobos” suggestion is a good one:

Perhaps you could interest Larry Flynt in financing such a film proposal, whose income could help fund your favorite Bonobo charities. Send LF your idea.

Peace with Pleasure,

Jim

James W. Prescott, Ph.D.
BioBehavioral Systems

He suffered for over a generation (over 25 years) in medical testing. The humans taught him hate. He gave the humans hate. He saw all those not willing to kill humans has human-collaborators, thus deserving of death. In the end, he could not be saved. It is more complicated than simply reaping what one sews:

Hatred the humans taught Koda did not just kill humans, but lead to Koda starting a war , threatening all great apes. By the time this war ends, we might have not chimpanzees, humans, bonobos, mountain-gorrila, orangoutangs, or lowland-gorillas. all of the great apes could loose.

That is the message I got from the movie.

Your courage to protect the animals is not only valiant and brave, but courageous! I cannot sing your praises enough. I am also grateful to you for always supporting my mission to end bullying/bully-cide, I should share my story truly with you on your next program sincerely.

Keep writing!

<3

Thanks for a great article in Counterpunch trying to rectify “human/ape nature.” I believe that there is plenty of ethnographic and ethnological evidence contradicting the assumption that human beings are violent by nature and somehow amazingly mirror contemporary American cultural ethics. I also appreciate the links to the bonobo support groups as well and will contribute. Sex and violence are two areas in American culture that are grossly misrepresented and lead to enormous harm (i.e., not enough sex positive culture and too much naturalized and biologically deterministic violence). Once more, thanks for the article.

Peace through pleasure.

But then the apes lacked the equipment necessary for shagging, decent or otherwise. Maybe that’s why they were pissed. I’d be less than happy to have the “local branch” shut down.

Hey 255 353
I believe that part of Dr. Block’s “life” is about defending the bonobos against idiots like you who somehow never really got even the most rudimentary education or learned good manners from their mama.

The misrepresentation of Bonobos in the media endangers them even more. Making people stupid about our world is really stupid.

Carlo
Bonobo Anti-Defamation League

Great article and most worthwhile effort. Keep on, keeping on!

Bob

actually, when raised by humans, they do both :)

Check out the Onion’s Peter k. Rosenthal’s scathing review of this sequel to a remake of a franchise

http://www.theonion.com/video/the-onion-reviews-dawn-of-the-planet-of-the-apes,36436/

The government, television and the George Bushes of the world show absolute disrespect for any kind of law. They have taught a generation of Americans about killing, kidnapping, invasions (house invasions?) Disgusting!

I’m joining your Bonobo Anti Defamation League and Bonoboville. The apes need protection from the “bushmeat” threats to their lives as well as protection from the ignorance and slander of some in the media.

Frank

The bonobos didn’t ask for this.

Speaking of funding–which I hope the movie folk DO take you up on that idea!!! With the 10Day Celebrity Transformation Cleanse i recommend, the orders coming in from the Dr Suzy show, need to msg me for the “bonobo” coupon code. This will ensure the bonobos receive the commissions!

i think this could also be or lead to an open letter to the movie execs … are you down for that Dr Susan Block?