Wal Becomes a Media Event - Why We Empathize with the Animal

Tagesschau

Center

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For days, people have been following the fate of a stranded humpback whale in Lübeck Bay. Neuroscientist Maren Urner explains why a single animal gets so much attention.

zdfheute.de

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Animals that captivate Germany: From the whale in the Baltic Sea to Knut and Paul - these animals became famous and their fate moved an entire nation.

mainwelle.de

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They become stars overnight and the nation is fevering with them: Whether the humpback whale in front of Timmendorfer Strand, polar bear Knut or octopus Paul – animal fates move people. Every smallest step is followed over weeks or months. "Animal stories are simple – you don't have to ask why, you have a basic sympathy for which no further research is needed," explained philosopher Kai Denker recently in a dpa conversation. Sweet eyes, clever t…