Call To The Wall

Baskets

Today I took the wild grapevine basket that a friend made for me and added some dried flowers that I didn't want to throw away.  My friend had also given me some sea shells, sand dollars, coral, etc as well as a wild turkey feather and some peacock feathers.   

Now that I am looking at photos of other baskets I have woven over the years I might as well load them also. 

Rag or Coil Baskets:

Candle Basket:                    

Indian Maid, rabbit and Prairie Hen

Cayote cutting board

Meerkat Manor Pleasures and the dangers in personification of animals

My article was published in Cantos 2008 issue. 

In summary, the pleasure of personifying animals can be seen in how we relate to our pets by projecting human characteristics onto them.  We also enjoy cartoons like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck and derive great pleasure from their portrayal as having human qualities.

I use the TV show "Meerkat Manor" as an example of the danger in personifying animals.  This show has been advertised as a children's show.  While it might be a way of learning about Meerkats it is dangerous in that the narration personifies the animals causing them to appear as a human family with mother, father, brothers and sisters, neighbors, etc.  But, when "grandmother" kills her "grandchildren" this could be traumatic to children who have begun to view the animals as human.

I use the movie "The Secret of NIMH", in which cute little cartoon animals are portrayed as being tortured due to scientific lab research.  Even though there are strict guidelines against abuse in research labs, these ideas are distressing to young children who view the animals as human.

I present the danger of personification as neglecting the needs of humans in favor of animals.  We are given the Biblical mandate to care for the animals but we are also taught that animals are for our pleasure and sustenance.  Noah was told to kill and eat animals. I believe this  showis that the needs of human beings take priority. 

What are your thoughts?

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Meerkat Manor

At the end of March 2008 they will publish my Meerkat Manor article in Cantos Magazine.  This is their website.

 http://www.mobap.edu/academics/divisions/humanities/cantos.asp