14. Tools

Surely our ability to use objects around us separate us from the animals, right? I mean, we may be puny and squishy, but we can make objects to defend ourselves and outdo other animals! Except there are tons of other critters which use tools: chimps, gorillas, crows, parrots, sea otters, octopi, and so on. Elephants will strip branches, and use them to swat flies. Chimps will use sticks to probe for food. Crows have been found doing all sorts of crazy shit with tools: them and ravens are far smarter than they have any right to be. Even otters, which are pretty stupid, can use tools. Sorry folks, that doesn’t make us special.