IC:
>>Lemmings are a better metaphor, running off that cliff just because everybody
>>else is doing it.<<
Well, in that regard, sheep too just follow the ass in front of them. But they
don't do the bidding of dogs or wolves. Apparently most flocking / herding
animals (humans?) just follow the one in front which results in the wonderful
"braiding flights of birds" (Merwin -- I always acknowledge my sources when I
think I might get caught and I know Eric is a Merwin reader and I don't trust
him to his mouth shut) and the astonishing ballet of fish schools.
Mike Geary
Memphis
----- Original Message -----
From: Andy
To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2008 11:10 AM
Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: The continuation of Realpolitik -- a rant
If you think plastic water bottles are an eco-hobgoblin, then you're
not paying attention even slightly. Plastic water bottles are a monster huge
problem. What do you think happens to those bottles once they're emptied out?
They kind of vaporize and go to hobgoblin land?
For Mike, you're right about the sheep. I'll stop picking on them.
They're actually cute little fuzzy things who just do their little thing in the
world. Lemmings are a better metaphor, running off that cliff just because
everybody else is doing it. The metaphor does end with the word 'worship' but
if lemmings were capable of worship, and who knows, maybe they are, they'd do
it only because everybody else is doing it.
--- On Sat, 5/24/08, Eric Yost <mr.eric.yost@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
So it is with the latest eco-hobgoblin, plastic water bottles. Brita
Water Filter capitalizes on "plastic waste" guilt to sell their water
filters.