Corona XLII – news for parrots

Hello! It is a gorgeous day, balmy and sunny, I'm feeling great (thank you). That is, when not thinking about the massive surge in infections my country due to Delta variant of Terrible Pandemic (TP). Which doesn't want go away. Indeed, it will away unless we band together take this much more seriously than have been. So, won't away, because ‘taking seriously’ going happen. But at least no parrots are involved.The very well informed among you probably already figured out that I love Monty Python. (If idea who Python were, they were groundbreaking comedy group from UK, should really know them. refer several sketches below can easily look up.) proper fan recite entire memory. Not just classics (Dead Parrot, Spam, Nudge Nudge, Travel Agency, The Spanish Inquisition) but obscure ones as well, like News for Parrots. (“No involved an accident on M1 today, lorry carrying high-octane fuel was collision with bollard. That's bollard parrot. A spokesman said he glad involved.” This immediately followed by part three ‘A Tale Two Cities,’ specially adapted Joey Boy. Darnay: Who's pretty boy then? Lucy: 'ello, 'ello.)So why am talking parrots? Well, I've read remarkable paper sulphur-crested cockatoos. investigators studied spread learned behavior (opening trash containers) areas around Sydney Wollongong. (I loved saying “Wollongong” since met Professor Tree Kangaroo Wollongong many years ago. Okay, I'll stop.) (now stop). Because cockatoos each region used different techniques, authors able convincingly show consequence social transmission innovation. Real life ‘News Parrots.’ Of course, knew (and really, all parrots) smart, now tweet.I looking information intelligence came across following: “…a famous experiment US 40 ago nursery school children put room given marshmallow, biscuit or pretzel stick. They could either eat right wait 15 minutes get extra treat. On average larger most other parrots”. had young only average. See? There lot learn internet.I do point. (“You point, Mole? can't wait.”) bin-opening would happened if approach opening bins did work. tells me smarter are. For past year, done dangerous parts world letting people decide whether wear masks, socially distance vaccinated. And data clear be: choose these things, be infected TP, others. In case Delta, five people. despite knowing (not masking, vaccine) work, non-practice has throughout large perhaps yours). consequently, TP back force.Many ago, Richard Dawkins gave us term ‘meme’ (in last chapter ‘The Selfish Gene’. If haven't sequel Extended Phenotype,’ them Essential anyone doing what do, biomedical research thing. don't research, anyway). noted anything replicates variation subject evolution selection, applies any communicate others, provided pass along. Such replicating ideas memes.Usually, think evolution, organisms memes. us, those sequester their germ lines – where DNA goes next generation socked minimally dividing cells early development (a concept originally proposed championed August Weismann 19th century). century later, Leo Buss his Evolution Individuality,’ which also essential reading) sequestration does occur multicellular (an example being colonial organisms, such corals), multiple individual thus potentially compete contribution generation. As consequence, evolved strategies prevent acquisition ‘foreign’ might acquired, example, fusion individuals. (When small, fusing neighbor increase your size gives survival advantage. potential germline competition, trick fuse closely related reasoning practical implications type organism. Moles fuse, friend Polyp time.)Memes fall into latter category. When incorporate meme, effectively ‘fuse’ it. meme our other, incorporated animals referred above, compare circulating ‘selves,’ belief system use define ‘me,’ reject accept Since memes replicate transmission, one it), kill its subsequent replication, replication us. Memes extinct falls (for Pet Rocks, Furbies Gangnam Style).And here's thing useful spread, (see Style). clearly, ‘free unmasked unvaccinated’ (FTBUU) useful, spreading. while may rejected hope have), time mention it, someone accepts spreads further. thanks media, very, fast. Faster virus. We need vaccine against meme.Actually, so-so metaphor. vaccinated, become immune microbe, so subsequently appears bodies, So ‘follow science’ prevents incorporating ‘ignore scientists’ meme. Unfortunately, ‘I trust vaccinates ‘get vaccinated protect family’ see how FTBUU What need, think, antibiotic. way ‘kill’ even after been system.Last time, mentioned antibiotic: raising insurance rates unvaccinated (effectively making pay healthcare costs people). Other antibiotics requirements participation events (movies, theaters, concerts, festivals), mandates places passports, lotteries vaccine, chance win lots money once do) others (free donuts! real “I didn't myself family, giving donuts, hungry”). Maybe restaurants demand proof vaccination before seated (this happening NYC, Big Apple, maybe antibiotic meme). sure more. try works. Like would.This in: some states (where united) reporting cases hospitalizations highest recorded date, freely available vaccines. No infected.And something completely different.