The Moth: Alex & Me - Irene Pepperberg

A research scientist forms a 30-year bond with an unlikely subject. Irene Pepperberg, an Adjunct Associate Professor at Brandeis University and Research Associate and Lecturer at Harvard, studies cognition and communication in Grey parrots. Her book, Alex and Me, a New York Times bestseller, describes life with her most famous subject.
Original Program Date: June 12, 2009
IRENE PEPPERBERG
Ethologist, Author
Irene Pepperberg is Adjunct Associate Professor at Brandeis University and Research Associate and Lecturer at Harvard. She has studied the cognitive and communicative ability of Grey parrots for over two decades. Her book, Alex and Me, a description of life with her famous subject, became a New York Times bestseller.
The World Science Festival gathers great minds in science and the arts to produce live and digital content that allows a broad general audience to engage with scientific discoveries. Our mission is to cultivate a general public informed by science, inspired by its wonder, convinced of its value, and prepared to engage with its implications for the future.
Subscribe to our KZbin Channel for all the latest from WSF.
Visit our Website: www.worldsciencefestival.com/
Like us on Facebook: / worldsciencefestival
Follow us on twitter: / worldscifest

[@robbiestalker898]

This was eye opening. I knew birds were smart but I always thought that it was just a command but Alex saying "I'm sorry, come here, Orange" that shows a complex understanding of it

[@cheesenoodles8316]

Dr Pepperberg and Alex have my admiration, respect and love.

[@Sunrise-fr9jb]

She did love him. She didn’t want to admit it because of research which I can understand. I feel for her losing a pet or colleague is never easy

[@jdaniel3068]

I deliver packages and get so excited for Saturdays and the Moth hour. Irene left me bawling hiding my eyes behind sunglasses while putting boxes on porches. We miss you Alex

[@aliciamanolas5646]

This was painful to hear, about the end. I remember where i was, what i was doing, all of that, for few deaths in my life, when i learned of them: the queens sister, Princess Diana, And Alex, for me, was one of them. He wasnt born a celebrity or a royal, Dr Pepperberg got him to that point instead, with a burning dedication. Hearing of his death however, THAT rocked my world. Ive grown up training and re educating parrots, the good Dr is a real hero of mine, but i can tell you now that she will never have the bond with Griffin, even if she works with him for another 30 years, that she shared with Alex. I hope the American government gives her life funding, for the work she does. With the level of personal, mental trauma and greif that you accept will happen when living by and working with higher intelligence animals, she should never ever have to beg again.

[@alyceGoRound]

this is so special and emotional! I hope Irene gets less of a hard time funding these days~

[@C-Money123]

I used to know what a P300 is but I forgot 😅. Hi Dr Pepperberg, I worked in your lab for a semester back in the 90s, and really enjoyed meeting Alex and Kyo and working with the budgies. So sorry to hear about Alex, he was amazing. So are you. Thank you for the experience. ❤

[@katrinphyllis6744]

This was a great talk!

[@loishancock9996]

It was fascinating. I liked the story of him asking you, the scientist, to identify an object.

[@saltwatercycles4006]

Just saw your videos ( Alex) . Exciting & sad . Alex was very special ! Parrots have a great sense of humor , and speak in context ! Most people think that's an exaggeration. You have, obviously, proven otherwise.

[@catherinelynnfraser2001]

Alex was so special.

[@iwantagoodnameplease]

I wonder how the other parrots reacted to his death, and if they learned a new word/concept?

[@shirleybaumann358]

iwantagoodnameplease Azerbaijan kris kristofferson

[@AnaS-rr9ro]

BEAUTIFUL, THE WORLD WOULD BE SCARED ABOUT WHAT ANIMALS COULD SAY ABOUT THE HUMANITY, HAPPY TO SEE HER TRYING SO HARD, GOODBYE ALEX.

[@richarddeese1991]

Thank you so much for sharing. I've been fascinated by this amazing story since I first read about it in the 80s. Alex must have been an incredible being, and the two of you persevered over some tall odds. I'm very sorry for your loss. Since I've known about you & Alex, I've imagined a particular scenario that sounds a bit like sci-fi, but I can't get it out of my head. I wonder what would happen if many talking birds were raised together, taught as Alex was, then either kept in an aviary with other non-trained talking birds, or released into the wild with them. The question (of course) is: would the trained birds use language as they've been taught (and would the untrained birds pick up on it?) Thanks again. tavi.

[@TheTrumpeter2000]

I love her

[@retf054ewte3]

she speaks amazingly well.

[@AnimalSites]

I'm inspired!

[@normabutterfield5096]

Birds are so wonderful. This made me cry.😢

[@TurkGandalf]

Alex the Gray Parrot. An extraordinary being, quite possibly the smartest non-human creature in the world. His ability not only to combine and invent words but also to recognize and name colors, shapes, materials, numbers, and objects surpasses the conventional notion of animal intelligence. This exceptional being combined and created words in a way that expanded the boundaries of animal language abilities. Alex coined new terms to describe objects for which he hadn’t learned specific words. His grasp of the structure and meaning of words allowed him to articulate complex concepts, transcending mere repetition and forging new connections between different ideas. Rest in peace, Alex. His unexpected passing in 2007 left a void in the world of animal research and among animal enthusiasts. His legacy as the smartest non-human creature in the world, significantly advancing our understanding of animal intelligence, will be remembered. 💯X❤🦜

[@kellys1458]

Was that Andy Borowitz adjusting the microphone for Dr. Pepperberg?

[@gooftree.7042]

Alex, the joking parrot. LOL.

[@Sunrise-fr9jb]

Is no one going to talk about the fact they sent her an EMAIL to say alex died. Lol. Probably should have called or asked her to come back to the lab then told her

[@pg6296]

……What a terrific woman!

[@jalalabu9404]

Diana and Alex really is good at like studying but Alex I am very impressed by the parrot Alex but Diana she does it she thinks that like she did it all but repair it already is very smart she just teaching him to be true that it’s true

[@cgstarnesnelson]

So sad about Alex.

[@d.e.b.b5788]

This is not to try to be cruel, or inspire an 'oh my god' moment. But birds are very social. Then need love just like any other being. But the more I watch, the more I read, doesn't anyone consider that Alex died of a broken heart? He was a 31 year old, a mature personality, who's only constant partner was Irene. And as far as I can see, she always did her best to maintain a professional distance from him. I would have died, too.

[@Angus_Gibson]

Actually, her lab techs were also highly involved in Alex's life. She developed the model/rival technique which required the assistance of a lab tech to help Alex learn. Keep in mind that although Irene was keeping a modicum of professional distance from him, their daily routine was still socializing for the parrot. Alex had an arrhythmia in his heart that caused him to either have a heart attack or a stroke. :)

[@LitenKatie]

+D.E.B. B he died from aspergillosis. it can grow on newspapers kept in a humid environment. That's what people used to line bird cages back then because we didn't know how susceptible a bird's lungs would be to that microscopic mold, which can grow and infect their lungs when inhaled. If I remember correctly that's what led to his heart problems and she had taken him on a plane to see some of the best avian veterinarians in the country. She had other birds with Alex and used the model rival technique with them as well.

[@catherinelynnfraser2001]

D.E.B. B I think this is true of most learning and most hearts.

[@jalalabu9404]

Keep telling my dad to give me a killer but he doesn’t like them. Though it doesn’t want me to get a parrot

[@PhotonTheta]

Whoooohw.,.✔️❣️

[@stevejames5863]

wow

[@jalalabu9404]

To be true this parrot is probably thousands of dollars or maybe more

[@conmanumber1]

Alex was cool

[@jkpropertymanagers]

she is a genius!!! 😂

[@jalalabu9404]

Say bad words be degrees especially in summer I’m just seven years old and I’m very good at Korean

[@jalalabu9404]

Why I did not like the video is because it’s too long and boring I just love the parrot

[@RockandRollWoman]

After watching the African gray parrot Apollo, at Apollo and Frens, I came here to learn about Dr Pepperberg. Apollo is learning phonemes, labels and verbs. It's fascinating! 🦜💚