Talking to Your Pets or Car Is a Sign of Intelligence

Have you ever spent 15 minutes talking to your pet while they just blankly stare at you and occasionally lick themselves? The good news is you're not nuts, it's actually a sign that you're smart!

A behavioral scientist from the University of Chicago says that when you talk to your pets, your plants, your car, or anything else that's not an actual person, you're just demonstrating a high social IQ.

“Historically, anthropomorphizing has been treated as a sign of childishness or stupidity, but it’s actually a natural byproduct of the tendency that makes humans uniquely smart on this planet,” says Nicholas Epley. “No other species that has this tendency.”

It's a uniquely human need to bond and connect.

"Recognizing the mind in other animals, a god, or even a gadget is a reflection of our brain's greatest ability, rather than a sign of our stupidity."

Read more at Quartz.