I'm pretty sure I've shared my belief that 24 hour news and reality television will bring about the end of civilization. Here's just another nail in the coffin. It's This story at MSNBC about a hamster and a snake who are "best friends." Umm. What? I've never been a big believer in anthropomorphism. I know that my puppy Pickles loves his mommy. He knows when I am sad, or not feeling well and adjusts his behavior accordingly. I am not just attributing human qualities to him. So there!
Point 1: How is this news? It certainly wouldn't have been news other than the local Tokyo newscast on a really slow news day. It would have been the last story to give everyone a chuckle before bedtime. It is not international news and isn't something anyone outside of Japan needs to be aware of. If it weren't for 24 hour news channels, we wouldn't.
Point 2: This is not The Wind in the Willows. This story came from a zoo, where you would imagine the employees were more scientific than to report such things. Whoever named the hamster had a pretty sick sense of humor. They named him "meal," but in Japanese.
If you didn't click through on the link above. The Tokyo zoo has a rat snake that wouldn't eat the frozen mice they were feeding him. So, they got a live hamster, named him ("Meal") and stuck him in the cardboard box they keep the snake in. Then, wonder of wonders, the snake didn't eat the hamster. In fact, they cuddle up together and stuff. So, they must be "best friends." Are they going shoe shopping together? (before you get all crazy, I am aware that without feet snakes have no need for shoes and are far more likely to become shoes than to purchase any). Are they going to the movies or maybe the gym together? Sharing a pint of Ben and Jerry's after a break up?
If, on the other hand, they figure that not eating each other makes them best friends, I can't totally fault them. It's one of those weird logic things. 1. I would never make a meal of my best friend. 2. The snake wouldn't eat the hamster. 3. Therefore the snake and the hamster are best friends. Oh yeah, look at that. It all makes perfect sense now. Stupid MSNBC.
3 comments:
The Fourth Hand by John Irving has a main character who is a newscaster for one of those 24 hour news channels. Irving really nails it. You would love his humor since you feel the way you do about the subject.
This is not Irving's best book, but I am a huge John Irving fan and like everything he writes.
Hmm since there are a lot of people I don't want to eat I guess I have a lot of best friends...
Oh yeah, I was totally wrong about P.S. I Love You. I had it confused with another book. Next time I'll double check the book description before I declare it weird!
Judy, I like Irving too. I've already gone to my local library and scoped out "The Fourth Hand" on the shelf. I'll pick it up as soon as I'm done with Murakami's "Kafka on the Shore."
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