Hi all, been a long time since I’ve posted here, and I wish I had something more positive to say. But I just feel the need to point out that, while us humans think we’re pretty smart because we can invent digital watches and whatnot, our general stupidity far surpasses that of any other animal. I saw proof of this fact while commuting to work this morning.
The scene: a D.C. area Metro train in an underground station loading/unloading passengers. Man carrying 1 y.o. boy on shoulders boards train. A dull *thunk* is clearly heard throughout the train car. Child is horizontal, still on dad’s shoulders. A sudden gasp from other passengers. Child begins to cry loudly. Man suddenly realizes train doors not designed to accomodate piggy-back riders, takes interest in child.
Now, I realize that this man did not mean to harm his child, and I hope he will not make this mistake again. But honestly, have you ever seen a dog, cat, lemur, bird, or any other animal forget to protect its offspring? Somewhere in the evolutionary process, something went terribly wrong. Luckily, children are highly resilient (nature’s compensation for parents’ shortcomings?) and after a couple minutes the kid seemed fine. I imagine dad suffered more from the disapproving looks of fellow passengers. Something tells me he’ll forget to mention the incident to his wife.
