> they define humans as apes
Not "defined as apes". We "share a common ancestor with apes", if you're being exact. We're "related to apes", if you want to put it in layman's terms.
> i don't want to be an ape
I don't want to be a human either - I'd probably be much happier if I was some sort of a disembodied immortal all-knowing energy being from the pages of transhumanist science-fiction. But I'm a human. I have to deal with the inevitable consequences of being part of this species.
> because they are ugly
Speak for yourself. I used to like great apes a lot when I was a kid. Gorillas are still awesome. They're big, eat leaves, live their lives rather peacefully, and can probably tie a piece of railroad track into knot or something. Magnificent creatures.
> and dumb.
On the contrary, they're also pretty damn smart as far as animals go.
> scientists can have their definitions, and we normal people can have our own.
Yeah, ultimately, whether we're related to apes or not is not something that ordinary people need to be concerned about in order to live their daily lives. But why are you making it such a big deal?