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Sedaka
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30 Jan 2007, 2:20 am

I know some do show displays of sadness... but, surely our bodies can't be that different from (say) at least some higher mammals?

why do wet eyes = sad?

edit for tone: im feeling sad (crying) and this thought/question occurred to me.


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KBABZ
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30 Jan 2007, 2:25 am

Well, I have heard that some animals show tears. Here's what Wikipedia has to say:

Quote:
Most mammals will produce tears in response to extreme pain or other stimuli, but crying as an emotional reaction is considered by many to be a uniquely human phenomenon, possibly due to humans' advanced self-awareness. Some studies suggest that elephants and gorillas may cry as well.


Hope you feel better soon.


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Claradoon
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30 Jan 2007, 5:03 am

Animals don't laugh either. I think laughing and crying are essential to a human's physical and mental health. Oh, and they don't worship. Dogs grovel, but at least they can see who they're grovelling to.

Whatever makes us human probably needs to be regulated by laughing and crying. And, um, a higher power.



MrMark
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30 Jan 2007, 7:00 am

Why don't animals cry?

Maybe for the same reason they don't feel shame.


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ahayes
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30 Jan 2007, 7:15 am

Gopher cried when I wasn't there. Animals just lack the physical ability to show emotions this way.



Hamster
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30 Jan 2007, 11:03 am

Track down a copy of "The Story of the Weeping Camel," one of my favorite films (A National Geographic documentary, subtitled).

It's heartbreakingly beautiful.



bizarre
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30 Jan 2007, 11:13 am

Isn't crying a way to release stress chemicals from you body.


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Corvus
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30 Jan 2007, 12:54 pm

Claradoon wrote:
Animals don't laugh either. I think laughing and crying are essential to a human's physical and mental health. Oh, and they don't worship. Dogs grovel, but at least they can see who they're grovelling to.

Whatever makes us human probably needs to be regulated by laughing and crying. And, um, a higher power.


I agree, somewhat. Not on the higher power as "nothing" could essentially be that higher "power" but for the mental health aspect. Many people do not cry but, rather, surpress those feelings. Eventually it gets bottled up and stress, anxiety, depression, etc. can rise. Laughing and crying can help balance out the mind, in my opinion.

Generally, when you are doing either of these 2 activities, I think a few things are happening:
1) Your breathing is slowing down dramatically. Best experienced through a "laughing" fit where you struggle to breathe but ARENT gasping for breathe, too often, like you were running a marathon. This is opposite of "bad" emotions, feelings, or states of mind such as envy, jealousy, and anxiety. These states increase the breathing rates. A slower breathing rate is desirable. Its a state of calmness.
2) Your mind is focused on the vision of whatever is making you laugh or cry. If someone may have died, you may cry but are thinking of them or the feeling they gave you. You are focused.

My friend broke up with his girlfriend. Dude wouldnt spend ANY time to be alone with his thoughts because he'd cry. Instead, he drank, bottled it up, and went after the next girl. Guys been doing that for a number of years and I know he isn't alone. I knew something was weird when he literally told me "I can't be alone right now" (fear of self).



AspicViper
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01 Feb 2007, 6:30 pm

My Pereanean Moutian dog would cry with real tears when she was left outside on the chain.


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CockneyRebel
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02 Feb 2007, 9:23 pm

My little Chico cries.



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03 Feb 2007, 11:52 pm

My kitty cried real tears once. She was playing under the bed and got dust bunnies in her eyes. The next morning her eyes were all weepy from the irritation and tears were running down her face.

Animals can show major emotions can't believe someone would post that they can't. My kitty gets so hysterical when I leave her at the vet that one time they called me at work to come get her because she was like having a nervous breakdown. She was so scared that she was being abandoned again (she was a shelter kitty and has issues from it) that she started bleeding!



Letum
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04 Feb 2007, 2:48 am

Reptiles and fish do not cry because they lack the part of the brain responsible for emotion.
You can not make a crocodile or a trout angry, happy or sad.
You can make them aggressive, but there is no anger behind the aggression.



Ticker
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04 Feb 2007, 9:16 pm

Letum wrote:
Reptiles and fish do not cry because they lack the part of the brain responsible for emotion.
You can not make a crocodile or a trout angry, happy or sad.
You can make them aggressive, but there is no anger behind the aggression.


What about that term crocodile tears?



Flagg
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05 Feb 2007, 3:06 am

Emotions are necessary for living in groups, as a form of behavior control. Any animal that isn't a pack animal (besides hive mind insects) usually has no emotions because it's never needed them.


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ahayes
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05 Feb 2007, 3:41 am

Cats have emotions but they are very good at hiding them. Their tail is what gives them away, their tail and their ears.

Cats do form prides, but it is incredibly rare.



mikh07
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05 Feb 2007, 3:46 am

we can cry during happiness as well ...