[gbuk2013]

Striving to become something more is exactly what makes humans special. It is ironic and sad that in the article it is presented as a disadvantage.

This is an eloquent elaboration on the subject: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=s2SSedCJ29M

[Traubenfuchs]

What's good about being special or being in a state of desire? Isn't being "happy" or at least "content" a more logical goal?

Maybe this boils down to the question: Would you willingly enter the matrix, a fabricated world where you can be happy or fight in the real world? I assume you would say "no", while I would say "yes".

[gbuk2013]

What is special is the possibility of growth - what a cat can be is very limited compared to what a human can be.

Your reference to the Matrix is flawed in that you assume the "real" world is somehow not "fabricated", but it actually is via your sense perceptions. ;)

[engineer_22]

This is a really great question. The West has been working on this particular question for the past 2,500 years. Michael Sugrue's lectures on YouTube do a nice job surveying the development of thought in the West over that period of time.

[drewcoo]

Once upon a time language use made us special. But other animals have some sort of language.

Once upon a time tool use. Again, other animals do that.

I think "striving to become something more" means "learning." Or maybe yearning and learning. Other creatures learn.

We keep redefining intelligence such that only humans have "true Scotsman" intelligence. So far it's the only thing I know the makes us special.