"Things You Wouldn't Know If We Didn't Blog Intermittently."
09 May 2010
A deranged penguin
Last night I watched Werner Herzog's "Encounters At The End of the World." This segment, about a deranged penguinis is one of two particularly memorable segments in the film.
I am a zoologist and I disagree with the decision to do nothing with the fellow who is 85 km off the trail. How much would it have harmed things to give the guy a meal or a ride to the coast? Whatever happened to good old-fashioned Beduoin hospitality?
I suppose it depends on whether it is understood why they are wandering. If it represents a disease, either infectious (parasite in the brain perhaps) or a congenital problem manifesting itself, perhaps it's better to allow the animal to isolate itself rather than be near other penguins. But I don't know.
I wonder if such things represent failsafes in species. Certainly not wise for the individual, but perhaps a necessary risk for the species as a whole.
If the world changed rapidly, penguins who follow the common route may not do well, and perhaps ones who walked randomly off would find a new oasis.
The lost penguin may be like a probe for penguinkind, to check if the mountains have revealed any livable habitat. If no penguin ever went over there, then what if they were missing out on a lush penguin paradise?
Thank you very much for posting this video. I just watched Encounters at the End of the World. I'd say it is more like art than a documentary. I can just recommend seeing the movie to everyone, it's worth the time.
Johnny, the entire movie isn't as ethereal and mystical as that segment. Much of it is rather prosaic re the lives of the people at Prudhoe Bay. But another interesting segment is the sounds made by the Weddell seals.
If you want a less-well-known but well-done Herzog movie, try "Lessons of Darkness", sample here -
It takes a special situation for evolution to program something that benefits the species at the expense of the individual. A gene that said "act like a normal penguin and wait for one in ten deranged penguins to find you a nice lush vista" would rapidly outsurvive any gene for wandering off into the wilderness, since it would get the same benefit but never the cost.
You need a situation like slime molds where they can punish free riders... I'm betting this is a parasite.
I know! I know!
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw that seen, I had the terrible desire to scream, "Come back! We'll take care of you!!" Seriously, it was heartbreaking.
But what a wonderful documentary.
I am a zoologist and I disagree with the decision to do nothing with the fellow who is 85 km off the trail. How much would it have harmed things to give the guy a meal or a ride to the coast? Whatever happened to good old-fashioned Beduoin hospitality?
ReplyDeleteI suppose it depends on whether it is understood why they are wandering. If it represents a disease, either infectious (parasite in the brain perhaps) or a congenital problem manifesting itself, perhaps it's better to allow the animal to isolate itself rather than be near other penguins. But I don't know.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if such things represent failsafes in species. Certainly not wise for the individual, but perhaps a necessary risk for the species as a whole.
ReplyDeleteIf the world changed rapidly, penguins who follow the common route may not do well, and perhaps ones who walked randomly off would find a new oasis.
The lost penguin may be like a probe for penguinkind, to check if the mountains have revealed any livable habitat. If no penguin ever went over there, then what if they were missing out on a lush penguin paradise?
That's an interesting thought, because it's sort of how evolution works.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for posting this video. I just watched Encounters at the End of the World. I'd say it is more like art than a documentary. I can just recommend seeing the movie to everyone, it's worth the time.
ReplyDeleteI must see this entire doc now. That was incredibly poignant.
ReplyDeleteJohnny, the entire movie isn't as ethereal and mystical as that segment. Much of it is rather prosaic re the lives of the people at Prudhoe Bay. But another interesting segment is the sounds made by the Weddell seals.
ReplyDeleteIf you want a less-well-known but well-done Herzog movie, try "Lessons of Darkness", sample here -
http://tywkiwdbi.blogspot.com/2010/01/werner-herzogs-lessons-of-darkness.html
It takes a special situation for evolution to program something that benefits the species at the expense of the individual. A gene that said "act like a normal penguin and wait for one in ten deranged penguins to find you a nice lush vista" would rapidly outsurvive any gene for wandering off into the wilderness, since it would get the same benefit but never the cost.
ReplyDeleteYou need a situation like slime molds where they can punish free riders... I'm betting this is a parasite.