## Octopus Piano & Existential Musings A Hacker News discussion sparked by a YouTube video ([youtube.com](https://youtu.be/VD7xivhWYQ8)) shows someone teaching an octopus to “play” a custom-built piano over six months. While some found it impressive – teaching a wild animal to interact with an instrument for a reward – others dismissed it as clickbait, comparing it to a cat playing piano keys. The thread quickly veered into philosophical territory, with commenters pondering the ethics of consuming intelligent life (including octopuses and pigs), the cruelty of nature, and humanity’s impact on resource distribution. One user even suggested cannibalism as a potential solution to existential dread. Alongside the heavier themes, there were practical points raised, like correcting the plural of "octopus" and noting the octopus was likely just enjoying a stimulating activity in a limited environment. Ultimately, many agreed it was simply a form of entertainment.