BS: Monkeys refuse unequal pay

Subject: RE: BS: Monkeys refuse unequal pay
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 21 Sep 03 - 05:53 PM

How do you distinguish between "guard duty", and young blokes just hanging round on the outside of the group, trying to look as if that was where they preferred to be? Whether you're talking about humans or monkeys it can look very similar, and one can turn into the other.

Subject: RE: BS: Monkeys refuse unequal pay
From: Little Hawk
Date: 21 Sep 03 - 08:31 PM

Got that right, Wolfgang. It's similar with rabbits...no problem managing a harmonious group of females, but try keeping males in groups and you will have a lot of fighting. This is one reason that I somewhat prefer the idea of matriarchal systems to that of patriarchal ones. Ultimately though, I think an equal share of authority and responsibility is the best notion.

As for altruism...I think there are 2 varieties of it:

1. Altruism done primarily in order to appear as a "good person" in one's own eyes and the eyes of others...which can be a bit hypocritical (in some cases very hypocritical)...but which may still yield beneficial side effects to others as well...or not, as the case may be.

2. Genuine altruism which springs out of genuine love...most often seen in the powerful motivation of mothers who protect and care for their children in a very self-sacrificing way....more rarely seen in the case of genuine saints, who labour not for recognition but out of a deeper love for humanity. I've seen a few people like that in this life. Soldiers who fight out of heartfelt patriotism are also demonstrating such altruism, since it would usually be in their own best interests to avoid combat entirely by any means possible! But...they love their country, their culture, their religion, whatever, and are willing to risk all for it. That's altruism. When it goes too far (or when it's happening on the "other side") we call it fanaticism.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Monkeys refuse unequal pay
From: Hrothgar
Date: 22 Sep 03 - 05:50 AM

Who, me, LH?

Look, I evem elicited a straight answer!

:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Monkeys refuse unequal pay
From: Little Hawk
Date: 22 Sep 03 - 04:01 PM

Bonzo the Third is not an "equal" monkey, Amos. First of all, he's an ape. Secondly, he's 3 sizes larger than average (so he tells me), and has become quite notorious for scaring off female Jehovah's Witnesses who have been trying to interest the apes and monkeys in current issues of "The Watchtower". I think 6 bananas is more than enough to pay him for a crank phone call to Clinton. He should be getting the first 3 in a day or two, and I await the results with great anticipation.

Subject: RE: BS: Monkeys refuse unequal pay
From: Amos
Date: 22 Sep 03 - 08:03 PM

Well, it sounds like the cognitive equivalent of guard duty to me, pal!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Monkeys refuse unequal pay
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 22 Sep 03 - 08:08 PM

Try to discourage Bonzo from watching George Bush on telly. I mean, we've all got relatives we're embarrassed by, but this is a bit much for a poor ape...

Subject: RE: BS: Monkeys refuse unequal pay
From: Little Hawk
Date: 22 Sep 03 - 10:53 PM

Ha! Ha! Great cartoon. Oh, those terrible looters!

Bonzo is actually quite fascinated by G.W. Bush. He thinks that the prez may be the long-sought missing link (between barely sentient homo sapien life and highly intelligent chimpanzees). Chimps have been trying for decades to determine what primitive creatures their ancestors evolved from, and this could be a key piece in the puzzle.

What baffles him is how such a creature can become leader of a great power, but he understands that our methods of picking a leader are a bit archaic and illogical.

By the way, he also says that his grandfather (Bonzo the first) acted alongside the former president Reagan, and blew him clean off the stage (metaphorically speaking).

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Monkeys refuse unequal pay
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 11:56 AM

Yes, I heard that bananas have that effect on a chimp. God forbid we feed any to Spaw.....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Monkeys refuse unequal pay
From: Little Hawk
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 03:53 PM

It doesn't bear thinking about...

Subject: RE: BS: Monkeys refuse unequal pay
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 03:58 PM

Better play safe and avoid pretzels as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Monkeys refuse unequal pay
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 02:52 PM

I just bumped this because I like the title.

Subject: RE: BS: Monkeys refuse unequal pay
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 04:34 PM

Here's a little tip - don't mix radishes, melon and garlic and herb dip in the same meal either.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Monkeys refuse unequal pay
From: Little Hawk
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 05:28 PM

Specially when feeding chimpanzees!