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Conversely, popular media—especially in the realm of animation and social media—often relies on anthropomorphism to make animals relatable. While films like The Lion King Finding Nemo
We cannot resist projecting human emotions onto animals. Is that gorilla sad, or is he just resting? Is that dog smiling, or is he panting? Popular media encourages this projection because it creates narrative. By turning animals into characters with human-like intentions, creators generate emotional stakes that a purely wild animal documentary cannot.
High-production-value docuseries like Planet Earth and Our Planet have turned nature into a cinematic event. Using drone technology and ultra-high-definition cameras, these programs narrate the lives of wild animals with the drama of a Shakespearean play, making "stars" out of lions, penguins, and octopuses.