Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Imperial Inspiration?
I know I just posted but when I went to read the New York Times' website a story lept of the page (well, screen) and hit me in the face:
"March of the Conservatives: Penguin Film as Political Fodder"
Apparently this documentary about the mating habits of Emperor Penguins is having a spiritual impact on a great many people. While I'll never condemn anyone from pursuing their own spirituality as they see fit, I must point out several logical errors with those who would use the film to support any political positions or to tell me how to live.
Firstly, several quotes suggest that the film is a ringing endorsement of monogamy. While it is true that these penguins only have one mate per season (which qualifies as monogamy), they do not necessarily pick the same mate every year. Unless these conservatives are really trying to tell us to pick new mates every year, they are commiting an equivocation fallacy by using two different definitions of monogamy. Either that, or they weren't paying attention during the movie.
Secondly, regarding the notion that the film makes a "strong case for intelligent design," I'm going to have to agree with George F. Will on this. If some intelligence "designed" this process, why make these poor birds work so hard? Seems kind of cruel (or unintelligent) to me.
I think the simplest and best sentiment is expressed by Laura Kim, a studio executive: "They're just birds." Given the relative disdain we show towards other animals here on Earth (hunting them, eating them, destroying their habitats for our own needs), can any human honestly point to an animal's behavior as a model for our own? If animals are so great, when are we going to show them some respect?
I don't know, I'm rambling here. I suppose it's futile, since "logic" rarely proves useful to American conservative groups. My point is this: I saw the movie, I recommend it. But if watching those penguins breed gives you ideas on how humans should live, I think you should watch fewer movies. Because I am not walking seventy miles in the Antarctic to get laid. Fifteen miles, tops!
"March of the Conservatives: Penguin Film as Political Fodder"
Apparently this documentary about the mating habits of Emperor Penguins is having a spiritual impact on a great many people. While I'll never condemn anyone from pursuing their own spirituality as they see fit, I must point out several logical errors with those who would use the film to support any political positions or to tell me how to live.
Firstly, several quotes suggest that the film is a ringing endorsement of monogamy. While it is true that these penguins only have one mate per season (which qualifies as monogamy), they do not necessarily pick the same mate every year. Unless these conservatives are really trying to tell us to pick new mates every year, they are commiting an equivocation fallacy by using two different definitions of monogamy. Either that, or they weren't paying attention during the movie.
Secondly, regarding the notion that the film makes a "strong case for intelligent design," I'm going to have to agree with George F. Will on this. If some intelligence "designed" this process, why make these poor birds work so hard? Seems kind of cruel (or unintelligent) to me.
I think the simplest and best sentiment is expressed by Laura Kim, a studio executive: "They're just birds." Given the relative disdain we show towards other animals here on Earth (hunting them, eating them, destroying their habitats for our own needs), can any human honestly point to an animal's behavior as a model for our own? If animals are so great, when are we going to show them some respect?
I don't know, I'm rambling here. I suppose it's futile, since "logic" rarely proves useful to American conservative groups. My point is this: I saw the movie, I recommend it. But if watching those penguins breed gives you ideas on how humans should live, I think you should watch fewer movies. Because I am not walking seventy miles in the Antarctic to get laid. Fifteen miles, tops!
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