Theories and Suppositions - Wrong!
Well, perhaps, perhaps not. You be the judge.
You know how often entomolygists point out that bees and ants represent the perfect society, in the sense that individuals appear to be without ego. Which is to say these tiny creatures appear to be perfectly regimented. Their focus is on co-operation, each subjecting itself to a quite specific role within the group, all meant to profit the collective. Profit, that is, in the sense of ensuring continuity, thus obeying the biological imperative of survival. Unlike, for example, mankind, whose survival instinct appears to be restricted to one single organism; itself.
The group activities of bees and ants are held to be the perfect example of altruism. Extending oneself for the betterment of the collective, even at the sacrifice of oneself. Of course, altruism means performing acts that favour the well being or the favourable outcome of another, taking back nothing for oneself, even acknowledgement of sacrifice. Hence, the perfect society.
Of course, there is always royalty; the queen bee, the queen ant, the actual producers of the young whom all others of their tribe sacrifice themselves through dutiful obeisance to worker- or soldier-genes to nourish, protect and in so doing ensure the survival of their species. The nomenclature sounds so grand, but pity the poor queen bee for she, like her anty counterpart is also a prime sacrifice of nature.
Anyway, from a human perspective: what a drag! Who needs it? Granted, we have our own versions of queen bees and ants, soldiers, workers, people in an absolute rut, hating their place in society, in the grand order of things, wishing desperately for a break in their unalterable routine - anything! We are not sanguine in the face of personal restrictions, pre-ordained lifestyles, constricting expressions of personality and character.
Well, guess what? I've discovered something that should be of wild interest to scientists, evolutionists, biologists and yes, entomologists. Bear with me. While noodling about in our rock garden two days ago, I espied two large and very diligent (what else?) black ants. And they were very busy indeed. On closer inspection I realized that they had between them one of their own kind, presumably gone to greener pastures. So did I witness co-operation here? Actually, the two ants on either side of the toit one were pulling in opposite directions. So what gives? Don't believe me? I had a witness; our Great Daibutsu was there, at the bottom of the rock garden, amusing himself at the revelation that this spectacle afforded us both.
After some idle speculation I continued on my way, inspecting other insects in our garden: interlopers, aphids on my roses! Damn, and more damn. But I recalled the incident this morning when Irving and I were circumnavigating the ravine and I recounted it to him. This man's wisdom is without peer, he knew immediately what it meant and there was no hesitation in his reply:
"Burial", "No! Cremation!" Followed, naturally, by "Anglican", "No! Roman Catholic".
So there.
posted by Pieface @ Wednesday, May 31, 2006
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