Jane Goodall has died

Legacy and Impact

• Commenters widely describe Goodall’s scientific work on chimpanzees as enormous in scope and transformative for our understanding of primate behavior and intelligence.
• Many emphasize that her influence went beyond zoology to ethics, compassion for animals, and a more reflective view of humanity.
• Several highlight her role as a global conservation and peace advocate, calling her a “modern sage” whose example improved their view of humanity.

Personal Encounters and Inspiration

• Numerous people recall seeing her speak at schools, universities, theaters, and on TV, often decades apart, and consistently found her passionate, funny, and deeply engaging.
• Several recount being inspired as children by her books, National Geographic coverage, and classroom videos, with some crediting her for their environmentalism or even career interests.
• Small personal stories—like a handwritten note to a child in a Goodall costume—are cited as evidence of her kindness and attention to individuals.

Humor, Media, and Public Persona

• The well‑known Far Side cartoon incident is repeatedly referenced: her institute initially objected, but Goodall herself found it funny, defused the conflict, and later collaborated on fundraising merchandise and wrote a preface for a collection.
• Commenters see this as a model of how public figures can handle offense with grace and humor rather than aggression.
• Links to interviews, podcasts, documentaries and recent public appearances underline how active and sharp she remained into her 90s.

Animal Intelligence and Language Debates

• A side discussion contrasts Goodall’s work with the heavily marketed case of Koko the gorilla. Several commenters argue Koko’s abilities were oversold or possibly shaped by “Clever Hans”‑style cueing and PR, citing critical sources.
• Others remain fascinated by great ape cognition and note that while apes don’t seem to ask questions, some birds (e.g., a famous grey parrot) may.
• This dovetails with broader debate over how “special” human cognition really is compared to other animals, with some urging caution about human exceptionalism and others stressing uniquely rich human culture, language, and art.

Population, Environment, and Philosophy

• Goodall’s past comments on population and environmental limits spark a long subthread.
• Some interpret them as implying drastic depopulation; others clarify she was talking about lower birth rates and equitable policy, not mass death.
• Commenters argue over future population trajectories, sustainability, and whether believing in a “Star Trek–style” utopia is naive, alongside reflections on war, resource conflict, and aging societies.