Is our need for entertainment what sets us apart from the other species?

Question

This morning Ive been watching a film. It was one of those compilations of cinematic history and the clips reminded of this and that. Depending on the memory, it made me feel happy, sad, nostalgic, wonderful. Definitely mood altering. Then I wondered why a group of people pretending to be someone else, reading someone elses words as if they were their own, should make me feel like this. Why dont I say 'that's pretence and stupid' instead of really enjoying it?
Does any other species do this - put on theatre, for want of a better word? Do our nearest cousins, the chimps, with whom we share over 98% of our genes, do anything like this? As far as their scientific observers can tell, do they play 'make believe?'. Why is it so important for us to do this?
Please, no funny answers or monkey jokes. This might be the missing link!

I think people are not getting what Im asking here probably because of the way Im asking it. Its not the difference between the other species and ourselves Im interested in. (Incidentally, we are not the only ones who kill our own species for no good reason. The chimps do it, too.) I want to know why we need theatre when we know its make believe.

Answer 1

Man has always felt a need to express himself, whether through art, music or acting.

One could say this is a hallmark of humanity

Answer 2

the main thing that sets us apart is how we manipulate our environment. unlike any other species, we grow other organisms to benefit ourselves. because of our farming and herd animals, only a small percent of the population must provide for the whole population, allowing the others to do other tasks, such as research technology and produce products that make our life even easier than it already is. since we are the only species that can do this, we are able to engage in such activities such as the arts and pure entertainment, while other organisms must spend all time in order to achieve the basic necessities of food, water, and shelter.

Answer 3

I think that we can find in some other animals intelligence, guilty and pleasure emotions, capacity to make and use tools, etc.
What makes us apart from other species is the degree, the level, the development of "common" characteristics.
Our makers (God) use many similar shapes and "fillings" to create mammals. But in various combinations.

Answer 4

what sets us apart from other animals i beleive, is that the emotions we feel are more profoud than others. our brains are developed tot he extent (i hope) to be able to think of not only ourseves but of other people as a whole, as a result we like to entertain ourselves and better human society by changing things we feel are not good enough. these things, are what sets us apart from the chimps, that we can comprehend exhistence other than tthat of our own.

Answer 5

Although a definition of the imagination remains elusive, this appears to be a fundamental element of the human mind and seems most likely to be woven into our biological constitution.

Answer 6

I think what sets us apart is that we kill each other for reasons other than food for survival.

Answer 7

what would we do without animals for entertainment, medical research, sport, animals as pets. It seems we can't do without other species for entrainment or otherwise..

Answer 8

Opposable thumbs helps too.

Answer 9

We knowingly & purposely destroy our fellow animals & habitat.
That is what sets us apart.