Featured Comment

Eolake wrote:
"Even if it was true that there is one winner and 6 billion losers..."

By Pascal:
The Alpha male -or couple- is only a relevant notion in a wolf pack, and it certainly doesn't mean that the other wolves -or their number!- have no importance. A lonely Alpha male/couple is a pointless notion, they only exist as such because of the others. Just like any leaders, chiefs, and champions.

In my grandmother's house, she's the prettiest, sexiest, cutest and youngest woman around, as I often tell her. (I know, I really SHOULD get a life!!!) And, as she often tells me : "Of course. I'm the only one here." So much for my irresistible finesse...

Not to state that the life of a non-queen ant seems tempting to me, but... in their community, apart from the preciousness of the breeding one, there are no distinctions. They all treat each other as equals. In spite of their innate differences, soldiers will work when there's work to be done, and workers will fight when there's a war. No slacking military nomenklatura there.

By becoming the species with the most extreme abtract thinking, sometimes we have developed some concepts, like hierarchy, to the point of the absurd. And the male babirussa (horned dog) with the biggest, most impressively virile tusks, is to be pitied, because these curved, ever growing things will eventually pierce its forhead and brain, and kill it horribly. But until then, the females will find these same tusks most irresistible. Poor monster. :-/

Being at the top is not always enviable : you can only change negatively, and there's nowhere left to go but downhill. (Even if you head right.) Pro athletes wear out their body prematurely by pushing it to its limits, when these limits are there to help us survive in exceptional circumstances. Like illness and accidents. Sometimes, they will snap a ligament, when these things are way sturdier than steel cables! Ouchie... They sometimes even die in their exceptional (and very impressive) efforts. Being physically fit is always a plus, but trust me, it's great to be an ordinary bloke.

Do you know that steroids, while indeed efficient to build bigger muscles, not only have toxic effects and bring about heart hazard, but they make your testes smaller? You have the word of a professional M.D. : DON'T use testosterone injections to impress the ladies, you'll regret it at the worst possible moment.

Mindwise, true geniuses are nearly always alienated, too different to adapt socially, and may border madness... when they're lucky! Look at Einstein's private life : a disaster. The world's most unique soprano ever, Mado Robin, had vocal cords the likes of which had never been seen before. Guinness record for highest pitch AND most octaves. But her daughter was born mute. Too much of a good thing...

My conclusion : excellence can and must be an inspiration. But an interesting direction for those who like traveling, not a universal goal. If we all try to climb to the top, the inverted pyramid will topple. And what's "the top", anyway? Elvis, "the King", became bulimic, obese, and died younger than I am, from an overdose. Billionaires have to build themselves luxury prisons because being rich makes you a target. Most show-biz celebrities are unhappy, can't keep up a marriage, and are hounded by paparazzi. Ladi Di has finally found peace. :-(

Insects are, by instinct, drawn to light. Because during the day, where there is light there is a way to fly through. But at night, the hypnotizing light of a lamp will only lead them to their demise. "Number One" is a deadly illusion.

I really don't dream on being God... Oh, Bruce Almighty, grant me the Wisdom! ;-P

- Pascal R