Andrew Sullivan had a series of blog posts on the possibility of animal suicide. This led to an interesting digression about parasites that change the behavior of its insect and rodent hosts. These organisms lead the hosts to certain death situations for the benefit of the parasites. The speculation is that there may be parasitic explanations for strange mammalian (including human) behaviors like the case of the penguin above. Of course it doesn't make sense for the penguin, as it was heading inland and away from other possible hosts.

What particularly was poignant about the video was how the penguin stood in place for a while - like it was contemplating something profound. Once it makes up its mind, the bird becomes relentless in its pace, only sliding on its belly for a bit. I don't know whether to be sad or impressed.

About this blog

Sometimes the heart becomes so full, you can't speak. You can only write simple sentences so you don't explode. You can't speak to anyone else about it because they will think you as a mad man. This is the space for me to write simple sentences. This is the space for me to be a mad man.