h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

nah, you probably snort it, you party animals you

Paul - I'm glad you got your wallet back.

I believe that people are naturally good - it's quite amazing how good they are sometimes. I mean 'naturally' good - getting all pseudoscientist about it, it helps the tribe/society stick together and feel good about each other and so on. I once left a wallet in a coat on display - easily available - for a whole week, and got it and my cards and money back. The worry is that there are thieves as well.

But according to cynical Capitalist economic theory, agape (impersonal love or love of what is right) is simply irrational (interesting sign of the times - most of the Wikipedia article is about lust and you have to read a long way to get to agape), and the pressure we feel against being honest comes ultimately from the way society is made up, in which there is no shame in beggaring your neighbour (I said beggaring!). And this attitude is wicked. Really. As is economic inequality, basically. But there is shame and a feeling of folly about not keeping some money you've found, which you actually have no right to keep.

Before anyone reaches for a simple-minded 'communist' label, I'm not convinced by communism and have not advocated it here. What I have advocated is the ordinary decency of human nature, which comes from our ability to put ourselves in the other man or woman's place.

Even dogs give the ball back! (sometimes!)

Jabs

Glad it was a happy ending! Now roll on Friday!

Btw Paul I really, really, really , really--really: miss reading your posts on Jabs Bad poetry thread

So glad that your wallet was there waiting for you!

Jabberwock...right on, buddy! Let's hear it for being at least as smart as baboons.

Yesterday, I heard a wonderful story on the radio, about one of my favourite professions, ethology:

An ethologist studying baboons observed a troop whose alpha males had been killed by eating tainted meat from a restaurant dumpster. This left a bit of a power vacuum, as they had to wait for new males to join the troop.

In a short time, the troop had become far less aggressive toward one another (baboons are notoriously violent and nasty).

He even observed grooming - real grooming - amongst the males. He said this was like watching Mike Tyson stop boxing and start combing Evander Holyfield's hair.

The ethologist found thisi a life-changing experience. Once the cycle of violence was broken, the females had a chance to tame 'em. Result:: happier (and no doubt, longer-liived) baboons.

What advantage is there for baboons in living longer? Can they qualify for pensions?

Other than the fact that they can enjoy the sunshine? Eat fruit? Pursue lady baboons?

Well. if their fertility rates stay steady, chances are more baboons will be competingly for the local food supply and sunshine. Sorry, it doesn't look all that agtractive. But then, I'm not a baboon, so I can't be sure.

No comment....


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Nope. Still no comment.On your possible relationship to a baboon, on the realive merits of baboons vs humans....

Nope. No comment at all.

Chances are, you can't imagine yourself as a baboon, either. Only someone who has been trained as an actor would have the skills to attempt it....

How would you know what I can imagine? I'd rather be a pygmy marmoset, though...

Or a Kaiser Wilhelm monkey. They have nice moutsaches.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1317/754936128_b3abbb2247.jpg?v=0

If you've had baboons as pets, or observed them in zoos, then maybe you could imagine yourself as one. The animals that I've observed the most closely have been cats, squirrels, and goldfish. I think I could be a cat if I put my mind to it...

I'll bet you could.

It wouldn't take much mind for a goldfish, even though scientists are now saying that claiming they have the attention span of a Twitter user is an insult to the ...

DEar Jabbetwock.

It is ages since I have heard from you and yes, I am still alive. !!

It is also ages since I heard the word agape. And for the life of me I cannot remember where I learnt it from. During my middle aged student years I imagine - would it have been in political philosophy or just plain philosophy?

Anyway, I know it was a very special word.

All good things to you and the family for a lovely happy festive season and I hope that 2010 brings you amd yours everything that you wish for your selves.

With affection

Christiane
AlsoRan80(now 81 and a half)

22/XII/09 8.10 GMT

Hi Paul,

I actually do not like seeing baboons in any confined space. they are so obviously like our first cousins. !!

There was a wonderful researcher who wrote about living with baboons in Central Africa. Sadly I cannot remember her name.

Pleased about the wallet. Where are your spending Christmas.? En famille I imagine.

go well,

Christiane
AlroRan

22/XII/09 8.29 GMT

Hi Dimitri,

Did you ever see a film called A Fish called Wanta - with John Cleese I believe. Wonderful.

Happy holsidays to you and Elektra,

Christiane
AlsoRan80

22/XIi/09 8.31 GMT

Hi, Christiane.

Thanks for the kind wishes. I will drive out to my brother's house on the 24th or the 25th.

I'm glad you liked "A Fish Called Wanda." It's one of my favorite comedies. Actually, the fish makes more sense than most of the humans.

Dear Christiane:

Best holiday wishes to you.

I like John Cleese, and rememnber seeing that film once.

I live by the principle a biologist once expressed: 'Everything is interesting, and everything alive is endearing.'

Agape is a Greek word. In modern Greek, it just means 'love', as in 'I love my friend' or 'I love ice cream'. Lord Byron used it in his poem 'Maid of Athens': 'Zoe mou, sas agapo.'

In the Bible, the word is used to express a higher kind of selfless, or divine love.

May your season be joyous and filled with agape,

Dmitri

Hi Dimitri,

But I was trying to remember in what context I first heard/learnt the word.!! At Varsity but I cannot remember on which course. !!Ph well, does it matter@ Nao faz mal. !1

go well,

Christiane.

22.XII/09 18.06GMT