No-one else knows about the price of gas, J!! It's a species secret. :>) Actually, I can't think of any other species that even knows about gas.

Read you loud and clear on mass destruction... but I keep thinking about that Gauguin painting mentioned above and thinking how glad I am he was able to use those tools, at least. This is not a rationalization, just ...a spark of optimism in the face of all evidence. I have no apologies to make for the _bad_ brain cells! :>) And it should be clear that the mass insanity is not inherent in the species, at least - you are walking proof it isn't, I would guess. Besides, if you will read what I wrote, you'll noticed I made my attitude about it clear.

If you don't like the analogy, it's fine with me not to use it; I don't think the Gaiea hypothesis ever acquired much scientific weight, after all. Perhaps "bully on the block" would be more appropriate?

As for why "we" have our heads up our collective asses, I can't offer a general explanation -- I think you gotta deal with those things on a case-by-case basis!! One person's decrepitude is another person's rectitude, after all! :>)

A

A