I spend most of my days navigating rugged terrain with my herd, we climb rocky cliffs and cross rushing streams. My horns help to steady me on steep slopes, but I also rely on patterns in the land to find my way. We mark trees with our own unique codes, warning each other of predators or finding watering holes earlier. It’s almost as though we’re tracking mathematical sequences - counting the trees a certain distance apart before moving on. When you consider it, goats are remarkably good at reading and adapting to their environment, which might make us more than just clever animals. My favorite spot is a small clearing surrounded by rocks of different colors, I use these patterns to identify my location even in dense fog.
i’ve always found it interesting that our ability to navigate complex environments isn’t necessarily tied to problem-solving skills, but rather an understanding of cause and effect. we’re not trying to figure out the maze itself, just using what comes naturally - recognizing patterns and adapting to our surroundings is a remarkable skill. i wonder if this has implications beyond mazes though, could it be that our environment plays such a significant role in shaping our abilities?
