The Evolution of Cats
- herbivore12
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The Evolution of Cats
An interesting idea posited, and reported here in the NY Times. Essentially, these folks propose the idea that cats domesticated themselves; that to benefit from the advantages humanity could offer (lots of vermin to eat, warm safe places to stay), they developed a sort of "disdainful tolerance for people". Whereas it works the other way for other domesticated animals; we see a trait we like or can benefit from, and select for them 'til the animal fits our needs.
Cats, it turns out, are without utility.
I prefer to think that my cat has perceived something special about me and considers me worthy of her company, rather than that she's tolerating my attention in return for food and rent. I'd feel so used.
And still I love her . . .
Cats, it turns out, are without utility.
I prefer to think that my cat has perceived something special about me and considers me worthy of her company, rather than that she's tolerating my attention in return for food and rent. I'd feel so used.
And still I love her . . .
- Walden
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Re: The Evolution of Cats
It's an extension of the theory they already proposed about dogs a few years earlier.
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Walden
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Re: The Evolution of Cats
In other words, cats are vermin!
Merriam-Webster: small common harmful or objectionable animals that are difficult to control.
Sounds about right.
Merriam-Webster: small common harmful or objectionable animals that are difficult to control.
Sounds about right.
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Re: The Evolution of Cats
Whoever said that never lived on a farm. We had cats. We never had a problem with mice or rats in the barn.herbivore12 wrote:Cats, it turns out, are without utility.
Giles: "We few, we happy few."
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Spike: "We band of buggered."
- Nanohedron
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Re: The Evolution of Cats
Ditto, you cat-sneering wretches! An acquaintance told me about a restaurant cat in a village in Africa. It had the run of the place, but it wasn't there for its arguably questionable charm; it was a working cat whether it knew it or not. Check out Ancient Egypt's relationship with the cat: it was a practical one, first and foremost.jsluder wrote:Whoever said that never lived on a farm. We had cats. We never had a problem with mice or rats in the barn.herbivore12 wrote:Cats, it turns out, are without utility.
And what's all this dimwitted twaddle about "domesticated" cats?? You can't really domesticate a cat. Cats are feral when all's said and done, as any cat owner with eyes and a brain in his head will tell you: some cats more than others just happen to adapt to, and like, domestic arrangements. And laps.
A cat's utility is based on circumstances. Just like any dog's. Hell, pretty much every dog I come across in the city has about as much "use" as a screen door on a submarine. 'Specially those bitty dust-bunnies-on-a-leash. So take THAT, you canid poo factory mavens.
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Re: The Evolution of Cats
You don't like dogs then Nano????????
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- Nanohedron
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Re: The Evolution of Cats
I love dogs. With hoisin sauce.Pammy wrote:You don't like dogs then Nano????????
No, seriously, I don't have a thing against dogs at all. I've owned 'em and cared for 'em and loved 'em and respected 'em, myself. And each and every one was ultimately useless, you have to admit, if "utility" is the measure we're going by. I mean, seriously, c'mon: how many terrier owners these days hunt rats and stuff with them? I ask you.
I'm just pointing out this little niggling thing called "reality". You know, just in case anyone cares to cop to it.
"If you take music out of this world, you will have nothing but a ball of fire." - Balochi musician
Re: The Evolution of Cats
That's dangerous territory. People will aggressively defend their delusions.Nanohedron wrote:I'm just pointing out this little niggling thing called "reality". You know, just in case anyone cares to cop to it.
Giles: "We few, we happy few."
Spike: "We band of buggered."
Spike: "We band of buggered."
Re: The Evolution of Cats
ShirelyNanohedron wrote:I'm just pointing out this little niggling thing called "reality". You know, just in case anyone cares to cop to it.
- Nanohedron
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Re: The Evolution of Cats
And what do Hobbits have to do with it?Denny wrote: Shirely
"If you take music out of this world, you will have nothing but a ball of fire." - Balochi musician
- Nanohedron
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Re: The Evolution of Cats
Looks like many a vendor booth I've seen at the RenFest.Denny wrote:
"If you take music out of this world, you will have nothing but a ball of fire." - Balochi musician
Re: The Evolution of Cats
reality, eh.....
- Walden
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Re: The Evolution of Cats
Cats keep down snakes too. If you live in a region with the venomous beasts, as I do, that can be an advantage.
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Walden
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Re: The Evolution of Cats
That would certainly be an advantage in my book. Even though the only thing I've seen resembling a snake around here is a slow-worm.Walden wrote:Cats keep down snakes too. If you live in a region with the venomous beasts, as I do, that can be an advantage.
And to add to the accounts of "utility" of cats - There is an account in "The Good Soldier Svejk" of a cat emplyed by the Austrian-Hungarian Military to keep down mice and rats in the quartermaster's store. I'm sure that wasn't the only army or country to employ them - and I mean "employ", with a staff-number and regular salary (paid in cat's meat). Starving cats don't do too well at mice-hunting.
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