From Drew Haffenden, Dauphin Island, Alabama, US
Chris Impey doubts the prospects of communicating with aliens, saying that despite sharing 99 per cent of our DNA with chimps, we can’t communicate with them. However, humans have been making themselves understood by chimps for 50 years. We have been communicating with other animals, and they with us, for thousands of years (27 May, p 27).
Communication isn’t about sharing a language, but understanding what another living creature’s message is. I am sure Impey would be able to understand and respond to a rattlesnake’s rattle.
