Prehistoric art is as fascinating as it is hazy and remote. We can only speculate to what extent such works were made for practical, or sheerly aesthetic means. Did we need art way back then for any different reason than we do now?  Are there unique clues in prehistoric art for the ultimate reasons why humans may have always needed art?

Is the Navy's directive really to kill whales? Of course not, as so much has been learned by closely listening to and monitoring these animals, and the military continues to do so today. No smart army will eliminate some of its best sources of information and expertise.

[Terra Nova] • All bird species have their own zikr, praising Creation, and the bolbol is the master bird who never repeats himself, always coming up with new names for God. This gives bird song the highest honor in a devotional culture, a loftier purpose than biology has so far allowed.

[Terra Nova] • Experiments suggested that killer whales will trade riffs with human musicians. But as conservation became the major priority, scientists and activists neglected to pursue wailing with the whales.