BS: The Human Zoo

Subject: BS: The Human Zoo
From: *daylia*
Date: 27 Aug 05 - 02:47 PM

Check it out! - The world's first ever Human Zoo exhibit is unveiled at London Zoo, displaying the planet's most adaptable species, Homo sapiens.

A group of the planet's most adaptable species, Homo sapiens, is seen frolicking and flaunting their natural behaviours on the world famous Bear Mountain at the London Zoo....

LOL! (Leave it to the Brits ....)

Subject: RE: BS: The Human Zoo
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 27 Aug 05 - 02:48 PM

Saw this on the news today... what a dumb idea...

Subject: RE: BS: The Human Zoo
From: Ebbie
Date: 27 Aug 05 - 03:21 PM

Someone else did that once; I don't remember for how long.

If the humans were presented as another animal exhibit I can understand the impulse. But that means they would have to be displayed sans clothes, haircuts and shaves.

Subject: RE: BS: The Human Zoo
From: *daylia*
Date: 27 Aug 05 - 04:34 PM

Well, it's a bit annoying to consider one's humble "animal" status. And disturbing to reflect on the impact human animals have on the environment, on other species. I don't have a problem with anything that inspires a bit of humility and honest reflection in people. Might pay better than busking too!

Subject: RE: BS: The Human Zoo
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 27 Aug 05 - 04:41 PM

Aren't they doing this already on telly under the label Big Brother?

Subject: RE: BS: The Human Zoo
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Aug 05 - 05:00 PM

'Kill the President of... / The Human Zoo

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: The Human Zoo
From: Amos
Date: 27 Aug 05 - 08:09 PM

The problem with that is that they are not getting tot he core of the proposition.. Odd though it sounds, it is not human bodies that make some humans act like animals. Worse, even. And draping green leaves over their underwear doesn't really make the point either.

A

Subject: RE: BS: The Human Zoo
From: John O'L
Date: 27 Aug 05 - 08:28 PM

Why are they half naked with leaves & stuff? They should be wearing business suits, legal wigs, mortar boards, uniforms of all kinds, and packing weapons.

Subject: RE: BS: The Human Zoo
From: gnu
Date: 27 Aug 05 - 08:33 PM

Is that not what "they" are doing with all of these "reality" TV shows that I refuse to watch based on the fact that they are inanely exploiting and displaying people who have the lowest fucking IQ on the planet?

Subject: RE: BS: The Human Zoo
From: frogprince
Date: 27 Aug 05 - 10:44 PM

Basically, I thought going with this at the zoo for a few days showed at least a little mix of thoughtfulness and sense of humor. The first media print I saw made quite a bit over "near nudity", and then the pictures came up, and nothing in sight was as skimpy as typical beachwear. I think it would have been a little more honest to go with nudity, but of course the fit would have hit the shan.

Subject: RE: BS: The Human Zoo
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Aug 05 - 11:24 PM

Guillermo Gómez Peña did something like that many years ago. Far more edgy.

Subject: RE: BS: The Human Zoo
From: Little Hawk
Date: 27 Aug 05 - 11:29 PM

Chongo is ecstatic!

He says, "Keep 'em in there for five years!"

Subject: RE: BS: The Human Zoo
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 27 Aug 05 - 11:56 PM

What about breeding them, and sending the offspring to other zoo's around the world? From what I can see they are part of an endangered species.

Subject: RE: BS: The Human Zoo
From: Cluin
Date: 28 Aug 05 - 01:48 AM

Ah but who are the real exhibits, those behind the fence, or those in front of it?

It's all a cheap shallow idea, had before and discarded often.

But not often enough, unfortunately.

Subject: RE: BS: The Human Zoo
From: *daylia*
Date: 28 Aug 05 - 08:01 AM

I agree, it's usually not biology that makes some people "act like animals" or worse, Amos.   Of all the species on exhibit, humans are the only ones there of their own free will. And while behaviours driven by instinct can be horrific and destructive enough, I don't know of any other 'animal' that 'freely chooses' to act on greed, hatred and ignorance.

As for covering their underwear with leaves, yeah that's pretty cheesy. But it keeps them from being arrested, I suppose. It demonstrates the exclusively human 'need' for modesty. And it DID get a laugh out of me. i>That's gotta be worth something!

Subject: RE: BS: The Human Zoo
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Aug 05 - 08:16 AM

Due to the London bombings tourism maybe needs an advertising boost. It worked.

Subject: RE: BS: The Human Zoo
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Aug 05 - 10:23 AM

They are having fun - leave em to it

Subject: RE: BS: The Human Zoo
From: Wolfgang
Date: 28 Aug 05 - 11:48 AM

Just for a moment I pondered in which ways the discussion here would be different if they had chosen to show black humans.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: The Human Zoo
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Aug 05 - 01:34 PM

Well, black humans would be more authentic, I should think.

As for fig leaves and underwear, I should think that humans, by the time they came down from the trees and found themselves without woolly fur, had long since learned to cover themselves for warmth, as needed. Maybe the zoo humans could make use of that innovation?

Subject: RE: BS: The Human Zoo
From: *daylia*
Date: 28 Aug 05 - 01:49 PM

More authentic? As homo sapiens? I don't quite follow...

Subject: RE: BS: The Human Zoo
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Aug 05 - 02:01 PM

Isn't it a given that the first humans were dark?

Subject: RE: BS: The Human Zoo
From: *daylia*
Date: 28 Aug 05 - 02:06 PM

Well, they probably didn't need sunblock.

Subject: RE: BS: The Human Zoo
From: Cluin
Date: 28 Aug 05 - 03:29 PM

That is the "Out of Africa" theory, currently in vogue, Ebbie. I'll bet it's close to the truth.