--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's the one thing we do better than any…" description: "\"“It's the one thing we do better than any other animal. We communicate, cooperate, and make tools to extend our reach. Every new tool changes us...The ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d5/daniel-h-wilson-3372_animals_it-s-the-one-thing-we-do-better-than-any_2777544.png" --- # It's the one thing we do better than any other animal. We… ![“It's the one thing we do better than any other animal. We communicate, cooperate, and make tools to extend our reach. Every new tool changes us...The old fears the new, and the two threaten destroy each other. Our technology is what makes us strong. And it's what makes us dangerous.” quote by Daniel H. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d5/daniel-h-wilson-3372_animals_it-s-the-one-thing-we-do-better-than-any_2777544.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d5/daniel-h-wilson-3372_animals_it-s-the-one-thing-we-do-better-than-any_2777544.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d5/daniel-h-wilson-3372_animals_it-s-the-one-thing-we-do-better-than-any_2777544.png) > ““It's the one thing we do better than any other animal. We communicate, cooperate, and make tools to extend our reach. Every new tool changes us...The old fears the new, and the two threaten destroy each other. Our technology is what makes us strong. And it's what makes us dangerous.”” [Daniel H. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-wilson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human uniqueness lies in communication, cooperation, and tool‑making, which both empower and endanger us as technology reshapes our nature. **In simple terms:** Our tools give us power and risk. Key Takeaway Balance innovation with caution. Themes technology human nature power danger cooperation Mood cautious reflective Type philosophical warning When to use this quote - business strategy - environmental policy - personal tech use - education curricula - government regulation Key Concepts tool‑making evolution risk management Questions to Reflect On - How can societies ensure new tools are used responsibly? - What safeguards prevent technology from becoming a danger? A Different Perspective Rapid change can outpace ethical frameworks, creating unforeseen threats. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals/) [Better Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-animal-1449404/) [Communicate Cooperate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communicate-cooperate-3285957/) [Dangerous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dangerous/) [Extend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extend/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [Technology Makes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology-makes-448544/) ## Related quotes > [“I've heard it said that technology makes a good person better, and it makes a bad person worse. That's okay with me. I say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-wilson/i-ve-heard-it-said-that-technology-makes-a-good-person-better-and-it/) [Daniel H. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-wilson/) > [Better to be an animal than a man, an insect than an animal, a plant than an insect, and so on. Salvation? Whatever diminishes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/better-to-be-an-animal-than-a-man-an-insect-than-an-animal-a-plant/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When I saw my father's death it was not human, he was less better than an animal and I didn't want the end of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/park-yeon-mi/when-i-saw-my-father-s-death-it-was-not-human-he-was-less-better-than/) [Park Yeon-mi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/park-yeon-mi/) > [“I reject animal welfare reform and single-issue campaigns because they are not only inconsistent with the claims of justice that we should be making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-l-francione/i-reject-animal-welfare-reform-and-single-issue-campaigns-because/) [Gary L. Francione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-l-francione/) > [“If he was to be treated no better than an animal, he would at least learn the limits of his cage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shira-anthony/if-he-was-to-be-treated-no-better-than-an-animal-he-would-at-least/) [Shira Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shira-anthony/) > [At 155, I will be the same animal, an even better animal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcgregor/at-155-i-will-be-the-same-animal-an-even-better-animal/) [Conor McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcgregor/) > [“If you love your duty only when your master treats you well or pleasant things happen to you, you are no better than an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anand-neelakantan/if-you-love-your-duty-only-when-your-master-treats-you-well-or/) [Anand Neelakantan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anand-neelakantan/) > [“It’s better for the animal to have a good life than to live” and have a bad life, he said by phone. “That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-better-for-the-animal-to-have-a-good-life-than-to-live-and-have/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Manushya (man) is a being with Manas (mind); and as soon as his thinking power goes, he becomes no better than an animal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/manushya-man-is-a-being-with-manas-mind-and-as-soon-as-his-thinking/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“And when the clouds do clear away Get a momentary chance to see The thing I've been trying to beat to death The soft…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-darnielle/and-when-the-clouds-do-clear-away-get-a-momentary-chance-to-see-the/) [John Darnielle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-darnielle/) > [Safety is not just about trying really hard and being really careful. You have to design technology that makes it possible for a computer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jensen-huang/safety-is-not-just-about-trying-really-hard-and-being-really-careful/) [Jensen Huang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jensen-huang/) > [All the world's combined knowledge is at our fingertips. But the same technology that makes this possible is robbing us of deeper insight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-landgraf/all-the-world-s-combined-knowledge-is-at-our-fingertips-but-the-same/) [John Landgraf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-landgraf/) > [Technology's what makes the world go round. Everything you look at, you see with technology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quincy-brown/technology-s-what-makes-the-world-go-round-everything-you-look-at-you/) [Quincy Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quincy-brown/) > [Technology improves our lives in so many ways - from our toasters, ovens, and refrigerators at home to our computers, fax machines, and BlackBerrys…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-polis/technology-improves-our-lives-in-so-many-ways-from-our-toasters-ovens/) [Jared Polis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-polis/) > [Technology makes the world a new place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shoshana-zuboff/technology-makes-the-world-a-new-place/) [Shoshana Zuboff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shoshana-zuboff/) ## More by Daniel H. Wilson > [“I don't think. I react. My action is divorced from all emotion and logic. It isn't human or inhuman-it just is. I believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-wilson/i-don-t-think-i-react-my-action-is-divorced-from-all-emotion-and/) [Daniel H. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-wilson/) > [“See you in the funny pages...mate”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-wilson/see-you-in-the-funny-pages-mate/) [Daniel H. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-wilson/) > [To survive, humans will work together. Accept each other. For a moment, we are all equal. Backs against the wall, human beings are at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-wilson/to-survive-humans-will-work-together-accept-each-other-for-a-moment/) [Daniel H. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-wilson/) > [You don't pick your revolution. It picks you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-wilson/you-don-t-pick-your-revolution-it-picks-you/) [Daniel H. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-wilson/) > [“We search for the ordinary when we are surrounded by the extraordinary.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-wilson/we-search-for-the-ordinary-when-we-are-surrounded-by-the-extraordinary/) [Daniel H. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-wilson/) > [Johannes Cabal would kill me for saying this, but he's my favorite Zeppelin-hopping detective. The fellow has got all the charm of Bond and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-wilson/johannes-cabal-would-kill-me-for-saying-this-but-he-s-my-favorite/) [Daniel H. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-wilson/) > [As a society, I think we express our cultural mores through our politics. We're trying constantly to figure out what's OK and what's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-wilson/as-a-society-i-think-we-express-our-cultural-mores-through-our/) [Daniel H. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-wilson/) > [“You know what you get when the mind and body act as one?...You get harmony...remember that. There is no you. There is no it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-wilson/you-know-what-you-get-when-the-mind-and-body-act-as-one-you-get/) [Daniel H. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-wilson/) > [“Science fiction inspires scientists, but it doesn't exist to dictate what our future should look like. Great science fiction is fun to read and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-wilson/science-fiction-inspires-scientists-but-it-doesn-t-exist-to-dictate/) [Daniel H. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-wilson/) > [Personally, I'm not afraid of a robot uprising. The benefits far outweigh the threats.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-wilson/personally-i-m-not-afraid-of-a-robot-uprising-the-benefits-far/) [Daniel H. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-wilson/) > [“I may be a simple man, but I am very good with an axe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-wilson/i-may-be-a-simple-man-but-i-am-very-good-with-an-axe/) [Daniel H. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-wilson/) > [Looking ahead, future generations may learn their social skills from robots in the first place. The cute yellow Keepon robot from Carnegie Mellon University…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-wilson/looking-ahead-future-generations-may-learn-their-social-skills-from/) [Daniel H. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-wilson/) > [Human reactions to robots varies by culture and changes over time. In the United States we are terrified by killer robots. In Japan people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-wilson/human-reactions-to-robots-varies-by-culture-and-changes-over-time-in/) [Daniel H. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-wilson/) > [“All those postage-stamp front yards we used to have were reminders that we like clear spaces to see predators coming.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-wilson/all-those-postage-stamp-front-yards-we-used-to-have-were-reminders/) [Daniel H. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-wilson/) > [Robots are interesting because they exist as a real technology that you can really study - you can get a degree in robotics -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-wilson/robots-are-interesting-because-they-exist-as-a-real-technology-that/) [Daniel H. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-wilson/) [Explore all 132 Daniel H. Wilson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-wilson/) ## More Animals quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Animals know nothing of themselves, and they also know nothing of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/animals-know-nothing-of-themselves-and-they-also-know-nothing-of-the/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Humans are animals too, but some do not like to work from expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/humans-are-animals-too-but-some-do-not-like-to-work-from-expectations/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? The idea is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. It means to know that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-becker/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-self-conscious-animal-the-idea-is-ludicrous/) [Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/) > [We must love animals in such a powerful way that we should reject to eat them!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/we-must-love-animals-in-such-a-powerful-way-that-we-should-reject-to/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [I bet plants go like 'Weeeeeeeee!' whenever they're swallowed by a giraffe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-bet-plants-go-like-weeeeeeeee-whenever-they-re-swallowed-by-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It’s a small thing to help one animal, but to that one animal it’s a big thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-baur/it-s-a-small-thing-to-help-one-animal-but-to-that-one-animal-it-s-a/) [Gene Baur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-baur/) > [We animals are the most complicated things in the known universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/we-animals-are-the-most-complicated-things-in-the-known-universe/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [“All these creatures spend their time explaining, realizing happily that they agree with each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-sartre/all-these-creatures-spend-their-time-explaining-realizing-happily/) [Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-sartre/) > [We're not very dangerous animals; we don't have a horn like a rhino or quills like a porcupine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-fisher/we-re-not-very-dangerous-animals-we-don-t-have-a-horn-like-a-rhino-or/) [Helen Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-fisher/) > [We need, in a special way, to work twice as hard to help people understand that animals are fellow creatures, that we must protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/we-need-in-a-special-way-to-work-twice-as-hard-to-help-people/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [“Plenty of animals had pets, but few were more devoted than the mouse, who owned a baby corn snake—“A rescue snake, she’d be quick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/plenty-of-animals-had-pets-but-few-were-more-devoted-than-the-mouse/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [No creature can attain a higher grade of nature without ceasing to exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/no-creature-can-attain-a-higher-grade-of-nature-without-ceasing-to/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) > [Most people are sensitized to animals through their cats and dogs, but for me it was a flounder. I used to go fishing with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-mathews/most-people-are-sensitized-to-animals-through-their-cats-and-dogs-but/) [Dan Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-mathews/) [Browse all 6,813 Animals quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It's the one thing we do better than any other animal. We communicate, cooperate, and make tools to extend our reach. Every new tool changes us...The old fears the new, and the two threaten destroy each other. Our technology is what makes us strong. And it's what makes us dangerous.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Daniel H. 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