In the fine tradition of Iceburgs, Rhinos afloat only show a small percentage of their mass above the water line. The rest of the package is out of sight.
This phenomenon may apply to knowing a Rhino in almost all respects. We look at one another, and have to understand We can only comprehend each other to a Limited Degree. On dry land too.
It may also account for how little We know of ourselves.
Question: If We were to find a great big bone, what would We think it was? To truly understand the puzzle, We have to assume that nobody had ever heard of dinosaurs at the time of the discovery. Nobody, Reader or Rhino.
Answer: We’d have no idea what it was. Mr. Pennyston didn’t, and asked Dr. Robert Plot at Oxford. In 1676 Dr. Plot guessed it was from an elephant, or perhaps a thigh bone from a giant human, maybe 10 feet tall. He was a learned man for his day, and his every hunch was wrong.
It’s hard to dial back our understanding of matters to an age when witches were still being executed. (see: Salem, 1692).
Life is supposed to have Turning Points, Crucial Choices made and directions taken that made each Rhino come out just so. We Rhinos have to confess that, given So Many Choices about So Many Byways, Every Single Day, We would be jiggered if We could figure out which Turn happened when or why and what the Upshot was when it happened if it happened and what?!
Ya know?
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.
“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.
Just because Rhinos are worldly, does not mean We know Everything. Occasionally We will run into a plant We do not recognize.
Our Policy is to nibble a tiny corner and discover what the newcomer has to offer.
Our other Policy is to gobble it whole, figuring that Nature wouldn’t make it tempting if Rhinos were meant to pass it up.
Rhinos have many outstanding Ideas going forward in our heads, almost all the time. Unfortunately, these Ideas must compete with one another for our Undivided Attention.
Ideas do not like to wait in line for Attention; they jostle for Preferential Treatment. However, Rhinos have short attention spans, so shortly We will refocus; next it could be any Idea’s turn.
And all of this goes on while We chew. Amazing, right?!
Rhinos are often typified as Mysterious, as you know. We never feel that heaving ourselves into Public Notice is necessary or wise. We are a bit Tremendous for that.
We like to let our qualities be sensed and appreciated over time. A glimpse here, a murmur there, should do the trick.
Rhinos are subtle.
A benefit of Planning is that each Intention comes with its own scent, colors, rhythm, plus a Dance. The ballroom floor is never idle. We are out there, bathed in melody, wiggling and swirling around, everything twinkling, both lights and toes.
We are here discussing an internal process or phenomenon, but that doesn’t dim our enthusiasm.
Why should it?
Your Inner Rhino 