Sometimes We Rhinos wonder why nobody ever tells Us what’s going on.
Possibly We could be more attentive when discussion is underway.
Yes, um, possibly.
Category Archives: Plain and simple
The Bone Wars
From 1877 to 1892, two Paleontologists, Othniel Marsh and Edward Cope, engaged in a competition, with no holds barred. Unscrupulous, ambitious, and mean-spirited, each did his utmost to achieve singularity, collecting and cataloguing fossils from the West. Not pretty in any particular.
And the upshot of all these shenanigans? Both men came to a third-rate ending, ruined and shunned by their peers. But Paleontology was served well in the wealth of samples they claimed from Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska.
When things get entirely out of hand, it’s hard to think why all that was necessary.
by the beautiful Sea
Ms. Mary Anning (b.1799) and her family made a modest living selling fossils which they found along the English coast. They prowled the shore, gathering a remarkable selection of marine specimens. Despite having no formal education, she had a gift for comparative anatomy, and became renowned for her insights.
Ms. Anning is known as the ‘Princess of Paleontology’ for providing the first complete fossil of an Ichthyosaur (see above), as well as fossil Plesiosaurs, and a range of other critters. Being a working-class woman, she suffered a lack of acknowledgement, but today is listed among the 10 most influential women in the history of British Science.
A big Your Inner Rhino salute to Ms. Anning!!
Differences of Opinion
Discussions can be lively when a group of paleontologists, paleoclimatologists, paleoentomolgists, paleobotanists, paleogeophysicists, paleovolcanologists, paleoecologists, paleoanatomists and their friends and supporters decide to compare notes.
Among these folk, intellectual property is qualified as No Joke.
Pyrophobics
Rhinos like the antique version of the four elements, namely: Air, Water, Earth and Fire. All occur Naturally, so they are part of life in the Wild.
In the Wild, Fire occurs mostly through lightning. All critters in the Wild fear it, for there is little they can do but run away and hope for the best.
As you Readers know, not every Fire is Natural. Does “sorry about that” really cover the matter?
Aw, shucks
It is a good thing that We Rhinos are modest. It helps to balance out Rhino Giftedness, so lavishly supplied by Nature.
Rhino Humility is a big factor in keeping Us lovable.
How many other critters are born with Perfect Pitch? Hmm?
Abricadab
When Rhinos discuss Magic, We realize pretty quickly that We’d have to believe We understand what’s wrong with the way things are. Yes, We might like a new egg-beater, or less creaky joints, or glitter on our cereal, but these are delights without much staying power.
We contemplate the “Three Wishes Formula”, but can’t come up with anything genuinely satisfying. The TWF is a system with some serious shortcomings; too many ifs, ands, and buts. It doesn’t seem quite fair.
Happily, it isn’t an issue on a frequent basis.
Under Consideration
However matters may work for our Readers, for Rhinos 98% of our conversational time is spent with ourselves, each pondering what is what, given the mental resources available.
Rhino ideas and concepts and beliefs are expressed and experienced via our ears or our noses, or both. However incomprehensible that may seem, it works for Us. Then We juggle those ideas and come up with a thought, sometimes.
All those “voices” in our heads, or wherever, each making a contribution. But that is the party line We listen to almost all the time. No point in asking if We like it; We live with it.
Hot Air in Action
“Nincompoop” came into usage about 1680, meaning one of defective reasoning. It may be related to the Latin phrase ‘non compos mentis’.
In common use among Rhinos, there is an added element to the meaning, namely, the Nincompoop has to be unaware of obvious limitations, indeed most often is complacent and sure of superiority.
It’s ironic really, but not particularly endearing.
Precaution
Rhinos need lots of veggies, but also the right ones. We are self-medicating by Nature, so We pay attention. A little of this, balanced with a bunch of that.
Most Rhino medication is taken on the Perpetual Plan, with an eye to upcoming possibilities, which could show up any time.
All herbal, except for occasional minerals (when We run into them).
Your Inner Rhino 