TIP: Click on subject to list as thread! ANSI
echo: philos
to: FRANK MASINGILL
from: DAVID MARTORANA
date: 1998-02-02 20:20:00
subject: `Clever flies`

 ++> Inspired by inquiry from Frank Masingill
 ++> on fly motivations and problem solving
 
 FM>  An incident occurred to me just a few minutes ago that
 FM> induced me to think of your observations on animal development
 FM> and to inquire if you have any insight on a particular phenomenon.
 
 FM>  What is it that induces the fly to remain close to objects such
 FM> as small flowerpots or other objects on a window sill rather than
 FM> crawl readily up the window to an open spot where it can be swatted
 
   IN THIS CASE:
   It can see the flowerpot as a beautiful garden and must make the
   difficult choice of giving up a garden spot for a "possible" escape
   to freedom that does not guarantee a better situation to be in.
   We often have to make similar difficult decisions, with a whole
   world waiting to swattttttt us.
 
 FM> without knocking over a pot or scattering small objects on the sill.
 FM> I think I am reasonably intelligent and More unsuperstitious but it
 FM> is extremely difficult for me to convince myself that as I stand
 FM> there with a fly swatter waiting patiently this fly, out of something
 FM> built-in to its instincts does not KNOW that I am hesitant to strike
 FM> it in certain areas.  I think that after a couple of near misses it
 FM> can be so dazed that it loses orientation and moves tragically into
 FM> open ground where I can deliver the fell swoop to end it's life.
 
   Maybe it does not loose orientation, but senses your frustration
   and offers itself a more willing target that you might smile in
   swattting to feel better ...it being a tiny ugly angel even to
   having wings...!
 
   ...........by instinct, it knows that "FLY HEAVEN" awaits,
   even if things go wrong! If humans can "consciously" enjoy
   such humor, why deny it to flies?
 
   ...........God does not think like man!
   ........&..Flies do not think like man!
 
   Your list and logic grows ..............yes!
 
  Largely free from the collective "notion" that our species is
  nearer the top of any universe definable heap, I am prone to
  consider that, of all the many species, we might be, *AT BEST*,
  some in between. What we call conscious thinking may be so far
  below the mentation of flies that they do not even consider our
  existence/presence beyond some self acts of protection (avoiding
  an occasional swat) or dinner source.  They might enjoy feelings
  and philosophies (blind-alien to our knowable) that would render
  our own efforts less than grunts. I believe that IIIFFF all could
  be known, man might well be a relatively transient and unimportant
  "flea" in any scheme of things ........BUT!!! I'd bet you'd find
  some many barrels of astute disagreement if you poked around a
  bit!                ...\/..................[a serious response]
                     /~~\@@
                     />>\  '  ... Dave
 
  NOTE: What I believe does not get in the way of what I enjoy, or
        need believe. The mind has compartments, each with options
        of humor and focus.............!
 
--- Maximus/2 3.01
---------------
* Origin: America's favorite whine - it's your fault! (1:261/1000)

SOURCE: echomail via exec-pc

Email questions or comments to sysop@ipingthereforeiam.com
All parts of this website painstakingly hand-crafted in the U.S.A.!
IPTIA BBS/MUD/Terminal/Game Server List, © 2025 IPTIA Consulting™.