alt Hacker NewsAll I think about when I hear and see these stories of raccoons being so slick:
1: I completely understand the trope of the burger/heist person looking like a raccoon and
2. I can't help but to think how useful they might be in search and rescue type scenarios. Or even just the terrain mapping aspect of it.
The problem with number 2 is that they're trainable until they don't want to be. Think like a cat, but smarter, with opposable thumbs, and a genetic vendetta against human made structures and humanity in general.
Search and rescue would almost immediately become search, weirdly touch the face of victims with their weird little hands to see if they can defend themselves, eat part of the victim, rescue.