Sunday, October 4. 2009
MONITORING INSTINCT LOSS
It’s been over a year since I first found that my blog was being accessed in the human world. At the time I was quite nervous, and not only because I’d been unwittingly revealing my thoughts for who-knows-how-long beforehand. My main area of concern was the issue of instinct loss and the havoc it caused here when too many humans arrived on this side of the portal.
At the time, it was felt that it was mere knowledge of humans caused instinct loss. That may have played a minor role, but my contact with the human world through this blog belies its importance. What we know is that at one point there were three humans here (two former humans: me and Danielle, plus an actual human in the transformed Martha Fennec). At another time there were four former humans on this side of the portal (me, Danielle, and two good friends Nick and Ki). In both cases, instinct loss began sweeping the globe, causing massive chaos.
Order was eventually restored. Martha changed back, and Nick and Ki returned to their world. To balance the presence of me and Danielle on this side, Ms. Aura and Nigel travelled over to the human side. I’ll be forever grateful for that gesture.
It seems as if one person can cross over with no effects, and two have limited impact, but more than that create a sort of tipping point. As it stands, though, things are stable. Our contact with this blog has produced no problems.
Again, as long as things stay stable...
Today's question: Have you humans experienced anything comparable to instinct loss? I assume both sides of the portal would be affected.
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We really don't have instincts like you do. Most people rely on knowledge and past experiences when acting. However, we do dumb things and act impulsively at times, and that could be the same as losing your instincts. But it's mostly centralized to one or a few people.
Actually, we do have instincts. In short, without them, the entire human race would go extinct within a day or two. As for instinct loss, could it be possible that it lowers instincts to a certain level? One that humans could be so close to that we wouldn't notice if instinct loss occured?
I agree that Human's do have instincts, but they're just not as pronounced as they are in other species.
Perhaps it's the strength of the instinctual behaviors that's the key between the two universes (Human Earth and Domain's Earth). What concerns me now is Francis's sudden and physically apparent metamorphosis into a Human Primate!
Could this spell the beginning of a switcheroo effect between the Human Earth Universe and the Domain Earth Universe? Will those who were born, say Foxes or Mule Deer suddenly change into Car Salesmen and Highway workers?
Very spooky events.
Perhaps it's the strength of the instinctual behaviors that's the key between the two universes (Human Earth and Domain's Earth). What concerns me now is Francis's sudden and physically apparent metamorphosis into a Human Primate!
Could this spell the beginning of a switcheroo effect between the Human Earth Universe and the Domain Earth Universe? Will those who were born, say Foxes or Mule Deer suddenly change into Car Salesmen and Highway workers?
Very spooky events.
Erm...gulp.
Your instincts are certainly on cue. As I'm...wearing one of those brightly reflective vests, now. Safety in numbers. But, marking oneself as an eye grabbing target is...well, selling one's soul for the green devel.
And, what's all this about a metamorphosis into a Human? Are Humans related to insects? That ability was never in any of the ManCon research forums.
My advice for help on this issue would be if someone brave enough could venture out into the wild lands and find that rumored Human colony. Perhaps, it is a bit selfish of me. But, I would love to confirm or, at the very least, put this rumor that just won't die to rest.
Thing about the wild to our non-local residence is that folk out there are like the Amish. They downright refuse to have anything to do with technology. Total savage hermits that want nothing to do with our wonderful civilization. Plays havoc with communications. At least, the Amish are olde world civilized.
And, I must admit that I had to run to the spelling checker a bit too much on this entry. Would swear that my English skills were vastly improved in the past. Must be old age, kicking in. Deterioration of the grey matter...or something. And, to think, I'm trying to become a writer with my skills going south. Bless this technology and it's correctional capacity. (Wait. Correctional IS a word. Right?)
Oh...and some of the characters in my writings are Humans. Surviving colonists after the majority of the race blew themselves and the Earth to fractional pieces...
Your instincts are certainly on cue. As I'm...wearing one of those brightly reflective vests, now. Safety in numbers. But, marking oneself as an eye grabbing target is...well, selling one's soul for the green devel.
And, what's all this about a metamorphosis into a Human? Are Humans related to insects? That ability was never in any of the ManCon research forums.
My advice for help on this issue would be if someone brave enough could venture out into the wild lands and find that rumored Human colony. Perhaps, it is a bit selfish of me. But, I would love to confirm or, at the very least, put this rumor that just won't die to rest.
Thing about the wild to our non-local residence is that folk out there are like the Amish. They downright refuse to have anything to do with technology. Total savage hermits that want nothing to do with our wonderful civilization. Plays havoc with communications. At least, the Amish are olde world civilized.
And, I must admit that I had to run to the spelling checker a bit too much on this entry. Would swear that my English skills were vastly improved in the past. Must be old age, kicking in. Deterioration of the grey matter...or something. And, to think, I'm trying to become a writer with my skills going south. Bless this technology and it's correctional capacity. (Wait. Correctional IS a word. Right?)
Oh...and some of the characters in my writings are Humans. Surviving colonists after the majority of the race blew themselves and the Earth to fractional pieces...
No, humans do not have any active insect genes, but, then again, I don't know much about quantum travel (linking, maybe, but that's much more stable than portal travel). Anyway, I'm pretty sure that francis's human backgroung is to blame for his transformation. Huh, it seems a human background is to blame for many things.
Shorah,
Akaduur
Shorah,
Akaduur
See the darwin awards
http://www.darwinawards.com/
What are they like on your side of the Portal?
http://www.darwinawards.com/
What are they like on your side of the Portal?
We have the fight-or-flight response, still, in the form of adrenaline, and we have the instinct to eat-a bit too much of that one, I think-but in general, we always know what we're doing and we control our own actions.
Hunger is a condition. Eating is an action. Nobody teaches a baby to suckle; it must be an instinct.
I just thought of something. What if instinct loss is not caused by the presence of an outsider, rather the arrival of an outsider via the Bermuda portal? That way, if someone were to travel to the other side of the portal via an unnatural transportation method, the two dimentions would stay in balance. Unfortunately, this would mean the outsider would stay human (or anthropomorphic), meaning the outsider would stick out like a sore thumb (they would be obviously unusual). But I doubt many people have acess to that kind of technology (or artifact). But if an individual simply wanted to see the other side of the portal, they might want to attempt astral projection (remote viewing is easier, but is subject to interperetation).
I'd agree with you, except for one thing: Nick and Ki arrived via Nick's interdimensional transport unit, the Mutex. It's definitely artificial.
It was my impression that the mutex did make them anthropomorphic, a reaction associated with the natural portal. If I were to design an interdimentional transport, I would base it on a naturally occuring wormhole, or other anomaly. Thus, if the mutex's design comes from the Bermuda portal, it's safe to say it would cause instinct loss similarly.
While it's possible it works that way, I don't think that's how it works. For one thing, Nick can see nearly every world, even those without discernible wormholes. For another, the Gamester said that the birds wormhole was natural while Nick's was not. Third, Nick can go nearly anywhere where there's enough room for he and those with him to land, usually outdoors. It does change the people in it to whatever is normal for clothing where they're going, though.
Yes, but what I meant was that it used a transfer system similar to the wormhole, not dependent on it. It could be altered to match pretty much any universe. A less than efficient method, maybe, but kohr-vahk and vahkro aren't easily obtainable.
I dunno. I like to think that we have animal instincts (As humans) but they are 'subdued' due to the amount of technology that we have used thoughout our lives, dulling our abilitys.
But, they appear in little ways that we don't often notice, like in videogames. A 'Fight or Flight' responce is pretty natural, and you see it in mulitplayer games. "Fight your opponent, or flee and try to get them from another angle?" is a standard thought to a gamer.
As for LOSING Instincts... I've had that happen to me. One time, when I got really, REALLY sick, I couldn't focus, I couldn't see streight, lost all sense of time and of reality. Any sense of balance, gone, I forgot how to do basic things... I guess that constetutes as a loss of instinct, but after I got better, I could do everything again.
But, they appear in little ways that we don't often notice, like in videogames. A 'Fight or Flight' responce is pretty natural, and you see it in mulitplayer games. "Fight your opponent, or flee and try to get them from another angle?" is a standard thought to a gamer.
As for LOSING Instincts... I've had that happen to me. One time, when I got really, REALLY sick, I couldn't focus, I couldn't see streight, lost all sense of time and of reality. Any sense of balance, gone, I forgot how to do basic things... I guess that constetutes as a loss of instinct, but after I got better, I could do everything again.
I've been thinking a little about this, and looking at our (human) society in general, and while we may or may not be losing our animal instincts, I will go so far as to state that we are losing our moral instincts. Look at society today and what kind of shows and movies seem to be the most popular, the kind of language, attitude, and appearance each generation has, and from what I see each generation's values seem to be degrading.
Instinct loss? I read the birthrate in the world has been going down, in some places there's a population loss, or there would be one without immigration. But somehow I doubt "instinct loss" is the cause.
In this case I'd say a lowered worldwide birthrate is us following our instincts. The world population is too high to be sustainable in the long term currently and something needs doing.
In other areas the lowered birth rate is artificially caused thanks to a bias in preference for certain gendered children causing fewer potential er..breeding pairs.
In other areas the lowered birth rate is artificially caused thanks to a bias in preference for certain gendered children causing fewer potential er..breeding pairs.
Hang on, something's up at home. I just got a text that I need to return to Domain right away and to bring my equipment for genetic analysis. More next week!
That's wierd, my "all heck's about break loose" sense just kicked in. Funny thing is I'm human, I didn't think we had those. You aren't about to screw with that portal are you?
I got a bad feeling about this...
And of course we have that instinct, though most Sci-Fi fans would say that we are using the force
I got mine though years of videogames.
Good luck, you are going to need it...
And of course we have that instinct, though most Sci-Fi fans would say that we are using the force
I got mine though years of videogames.Good luck, you are going to need it...
I'd say there are still a few instincts remaining, though they tend to take the form of being more inclined or less inclined to do something than anything. For example, small pieces of wood are often placed in male restroom to help alleviate a natural inclination not to use adjacent urinals, perhaps a bit of a marking instinct. Likewise, there are Selina's notes from above involving flight or flight and food, reproductive instincts, instincts in some involving being wary of potentially dangerous animals (no natural defenses aside from our brains and incredible endurance, if you recall), and the like. But most of us can and do choose to ignore them pretty readily, and since losing most of these would be no big deal for us, it does seem to play a lesser role here. and some, such as the dangerous animal one, are nearly obsolete for most of us, given the human inclination to wipe out or confine threats to ourselves as much as possible. Another instinct, perhaps?
Ahh, good luck! We'll be watching from this end! (Probably.)
Ahh, good luck! We'll be watching from this end! (Probably.)
Ok, hate to double-post, but I saw the first comic. If you need access to any human genetic data, let us know. I don't know how much the genome I can paste into here, but I'm willing to give it a shot.
I would hazard that there are a great number of human instincts, both from our more animalistic days and because of how we've forced society on ourselves. If the webcomic is to be believed, your ancients had cave dwellers as well ... I post that on an evolutionary level it's hard to grasp that a species could go from living in trees to skyscrapers. On that same evolutionary level, a caveman is driving that SUV, so it's small wonder that road rage exists.
I suppose if blogs are the places to get philosophical ... humans still have the same instincts that they did as animals, and thus there are still prey species and predators, the same as on the other side of the portal, and most of it can be judged on how much a human is willing to take complete control of the events that happen around them, and how much they are willing to passively let things happen. Take charge people are often referred to as leaders, same as in packs--and sometimes the words alpha male or female are thrown around. These traits aren't decided by diet per se, but are often attributed to talent or charisma.
The beauty of it is that here we can decide to change our status at any time. It takes practice, and often is frustrating and draining ... but it's less natural talent or ability and more learned and reinforced skill. Someone can choose to fight instinct to flee, or even the learned reactions of self-pity or distrust, and rise above their prior place in the food chain.
To me, that's pretty cool.
I suppose if blogs are the places to get philosophical ... humans still have the same instincts that they did as animals, and thus there are still prey species and predators, the same as on the other side of the portal, and most of it can be judged on how much a human is willing to take complete control of the events that happen around them, and how much they are willing to passively let things happen. Take charge people are often referred to as leaders, same as in packs--and sometimes the words alpha male or female are thrown around. These traits aren't decided by diet per se, but are often attributed to talent or charisma.
The beauty of it is that here we can decide to change our status at any time. It takes practice, and often is frustrating and draining ... but it's less natural talent or ability and more learned and reinforced skill. Someone can choose to fight instinct to flee, or even the learned reactions of self-pity or distrust, and rise above their prior place in the food chain.
To me, that's pretty cool.
Instinct Loss? No. However, I have observed over the past decade or so that "Common Sense" seems to have been lost by a majority of the human race. Just look at some of the warning labels out there:
On coffee cups: Caution: Contents are Hot.
On directions for a plug-in steam iron and a hair (fur on your side of the portal) dryer: Do not use while in the bath or shower.
On a jar of Peanut Butter: Caution, contains peanuts
Seriously.
On coffee cups: Caution: Contents are Hot.
On directions for a plug-in steam iron and a hair (fur on your side of the portal) dryer: Do not use while in the bath or shower.
On a jar of Peanut Butter: Caution, contains peanuts
Seriously.
Loss of common sense? You've got that right! I work for a State government office and at times it's hard to detect even a TRACE of common sense!
What if the Bermuda portal treated matter too physically, as in, it alters organic matter, but not its quantum vibrations, or phase? Each universe's matter has a specific frequency, so if the portal didn't alter the frequency of an individaul, they could be interfering with the surrounding frequency. If Domain instincts are 'stored', like human mental energy, on the vibrational level, they could be shrouded by other vibrations. When this happens in the human universe, the frequency is altered on both sides, and goes into balance. So far, humans have not experienced instinct loss, because our universe hasn't been 'topheavy' yet.
Hhhm... depends on what you mean by instincts.... or, more to the point; what humans have that is actually instinct...
As per the methods of science; we must break down variables to arrive at the simplest question;
What is an instinct?
In another world, of a fellow named Gene Catlow, thereis a sort of.... species registry/instinct repository/government facility that deals with those matters; there, the trained personell who are skilled in reading/'diagnosing' instincts are as much the database themselves as are the banks of computers and mountains of data.
There, anthro-animals and humans lives side-by-si... uh, it was complicated. Sticking to the point, humans did not visit this repository, and the rare time that one did, almost all of the "Repositors" were unable to 'diagnose' human instincts (mostly due do, apparently, the subject/customer needing to know what of themselves is an instinct or not), save for one canid, who has since lost the ability (also complicated)--- but for a time, was able to read human insticts to such a degree, that Sun Tzu would be envious.
It should be noted that human contact did not make the furs there lose their instincts. But that may be due to the fact that all the species there, furry and human, were, in fact, almost immediatley related, with 1 ancestral species, with the split so recent, that said related species (while tettering on extinction), still existed among them!
So! The question remains;
What's the criteria for a behaviour to be an "Instinct?"
As per the methods of science; we must break down variables to arrive at the simplest question;
What is an instinct?
In another world, of a fellow named Gene Catlow, thereis a sort of.... species registry/instinct repository/government facility that deals with those matters; there, the trained personell who are skilled in reading/'diagnosing' instincts are as much the database themselves as are the banks of computers and mountains of data.
There, anthro-animals and humans lives side-by-si... uh, it was complicated. Sticking to the point, humans did not visit this repository, and the rare time that one did, almost all of the "Repositors" were unable to 'diagnose' human instincts (mostly due do, apparently, the subject/customer needing to know what of themselves is an instinct or not), save for one canid, who has since lost the ability (also complicated)--- but for a time, was able to read human insticts to such a degree, that Sun Tzu would be envious.
It should be noted that human contact did not make the furs there lose their instincts. But that may be due to the fact that all the species there, furry and human, were, in fact, almost immediatley related, with 1 ancestral species, with the split so recent, that said related species (while tettering on extinction), still existed among them!
So! The question remains;
What's the criteria for a behaviour to be an "Instinct?"
Huh. another world. This keeps getting more and more complicated. On that note, have you ever seen a kohr-vahk? Or have you never been to a world visited by the People of The Root?
Fought a Dalek.
Ok, Lindesfarne, how's this; analize what was lost when the K&K World suffered instinct loss:
Canids stopped rolling around in smelly things.
Fenton forgot his sonar.
Migration patterns, ect.
Ok, so, they're non-essential behaviours/abilities (nobody died due to instinct loss did they? Doesn't count if they got eaten due to it, I mean like; nobody dropped dead or forgot how to breathe, did they?), that still are adaptations brought on by that species evolution in the inherent desire to survive the best way possible.
OK, how's this:
An instinct is any NON-"learned behavior" or physical ability who's function is assistive to survival/propigation, beyond basic biology.
Ie; knowing how to digest is not an instinct, sex is not an instict; both are facts of biology.
Cases in point; Pack behavior is evident in both non and domesticated species, so it's (probably) not directly genetic.
When an elephant Matriarch teaches her herd where to locate salt reasources, it's not an instictual behaviour that would be inherently expected in a random elephant. Wild animals here insticntively run from fire (also, I find it interesting that here, only humans can thus become pyromaniacs. I think there may be something to that).
So, with that tenative definition, I suggest that our Curiosity, our desire to explore, that brought us down from the first trees, is the Human instinct.
Could it be that any "alien force" would be, if powerful enough, a disruptor of instinct (as you suggest, there's a criticality point, but there is leeway)?
Here, in this world, there are some who put so much stock in religion, that they have no desire to explore the wider world, shun scientific progress, and try to find (faulty) arguments in their religious texts as "Be all, end all" arguments, and then forever shun investigating anything further.
Personally, I find the idea of any god to be an alien, disruptive, destructive force, not for the reality (or not) of it's existance, but the desctructive actions of those 'inspired' by the mere idea of one.
Ie: Sure, there may be good followers of the Abrahamic God, who do good ---not out of fear of this god's damnation, not out of a sense of obligation, or trying to curry favor into heaven; but out of the same inherent desire to do good that agnostics and Atheists have, too...
But it only takes one or two with nucelar weapons to kill everything on earth for the rest of time. And those that're excepted from the above, who don't try to stop them.
More long term; our instinct to explore will prove to be even more essential someday; even stars die after all. Our Sun will be no exception, if things continue as they are now. And also, if thigns stay as theya re, the sun's end will be, guaranteed, our end, too.
Unless: We explore.
Where to? Where else to survive the end of the world? Off it, of course; into space. Or take Earth with us. We got time to develop such technology. Spaceship Earth, eh? I have heard the phrase before, and that's where I got the idea. If we developed the technology to move the planet freely; a thermal shield and an artificial sun (a converted moon?) would be easy.
Lindesfarne; Even between hedgehog and porcupine, there must have been things that stayed with you, despite that changing of mere titles.
You are Human, too. And like us, You desire to explore "over there," to the stars, as we do.
You ask for what human instincts are;
What else are yours?
Ok, Lindesfarne, how's this; analize what was lost when the K&K World suffered instinct loss:
Canids stopped rolling around in smelly things.
Fenton forgot his sonar.
Migration patterns, ect.
Ok, so, they're non-essential behaviours/abilities (nobody died due to instinct loss did they? Doesn't count if they got eaten due to it, I mean like; nobody dropped dead or forgot how to breathe, did they?), that still are adaptations brought on by that species evolution in the inherent desire to survive the best way possible.
OK, how's this:
An instinct is any NON-"learned behavior" or physical ability who's function is assistive to survival/propigation, beyond basic biology.
Ie; knowing how to digest is not an instinct, sex is not an instict; both are facts of biology.
Cases in point; Pack behavior is evident in both non and domesticated species, so it's (probably) not directly genetic.
When an elephant Matriarch teaches her herd where to locate salt reasources, it's not an instictual behaviour that would be inherently expected in a random elephant. Wild animals here insticntively run from fire (also, I find it interesting that here, only humans can thus become pyromaniacs. I think there may be something to that).
So, with that tenative definition, I suggest that our Curiosity, our desire to explore, that brought us down from the first trees, is the Human instinct.
Could it be that any "alien force" would be, if powerful enough, a disruptor of instinct (as you suggest, there's a criticality point, but there is leeway)?
Here, in this world, there are some who put so much stock in religion, that they have no desire to explore the wider world, shun scientific progress, and try to find (faulty) arguments in their religious texts as "Be all, end all" arguments, and then forever shun investigating anything further.
Personally, I find the idea of any god to be an alien, disruptive, destructive force, not for the reality (or not) of it's existance, but the desctructive actions of those 'inspired' by the mere idea of one.
Ie: Sure, there may be good followers of the Abrahamic God, who do good ---not out of fear of this god's damnation, not out of a sense of obligation, or trying to curry favor into heaven; but out of the same inherent desire to do good that agnostics and Atheists have, too...
But it only takes one or two with nucelar weapons to kill everything on earth for the rest of time. And those that're excepted from the above, who don't try to stop them.
More long term; our instinct to explore will prove to be even more essential someday; even stars die after all. Our Sun will be no exception, if things continue as they are now. And also, if thigns stay as theya re, the sun's end will be, guaranteed, our end, too.
Unless: We explore.
Where to? Where else to survive the end of the world? Off it, of course; into space. Or take Earth with us. We got time to develop such technology. Spaceship Earth, eh? I have heard the phrase before, and that's where I got the idea. If we developed the technology to move the planet freely; a thermal shield and an artificial sun (a converted moon?) would be easy.
Lindesfarne; Even between hedgehog and porcupine, there must have been things that stayed with you, despite that changing of mere titles.
You are Human, too. And like us, You desire to explore "over there," to the stars, as we do.
You ask for what human instincts are;
What else are yours?
Ah. To quote myself, "Some seek the destination; explorers seek the journey."
Well your comment took a really weird turn huh?
Actually, I believe dolphins are curious too, and they still have instincts. Playful and curious. It doesn't seem like these behaviors would go hand in hand but they do in the animal world. Humans and dolphins are some of the only animals that can actually afford to do nothing productive with their time without getting eaten. I think maybe big cats too.
Actually, I believe dolphins are curious too, and they still have instincts. Playful and curious. It doesn't seem like these behaviors would go hand in hand but they do in the animal world. Humans and dolphins are some of the only animals that can actually afford to do nothing productive with their time without getting eaten. I think maybe big cats too.
Hmm. Earth II. To maintain a level of mystery, I'll just say: Earth is actually Garternay II.
Hhhm. Alright, but if you said "Teegeeack", we'd have to smack the stupid outta you. XD
Teeegeeak? Oh no. I apologize for my mumbo jumbo, but considering all the things reported on this blog, it's not that far out that, from 8000 BC to AD 1750 there were two humanoid species inhabiting the earth. Sorry. Talking weird again. Try to keep an open mind; just because I'm crazy doesn't mean what I say is (or does it?).
knowing how to digest is not an instinct, sex is not an instict; both are facts of biology.
I don't know what planet you're from. It is always the case, as I understand it, that digestion (taking in nourishment), drinking fluids, and sex (reproduction) are instinctive. From the moment we are born we feel hunger and thurst and know to feed when the mother offers nourishment.
As for sex, it is one of the most ingrained instincts we have. If it wasn't, you would mean that a person would have to be taught SEX in order for them to do it -- like learning to read. The idea is preposterous. Who teaches animals in the wild to breed? Answer: nobody, it's instinctive.
I don't know what planet you're from. It is always the case, as I understand it, that digestion (taking in nourishment), drinking fluids, and sex (reproduction) are instinctive. From the moment we are born we feel hunger and thurst and know to feed when the mother offers nourishment.
As for sex, it is one of the most ingrained instincts we have. If it wasn't, you would mean that a person would have to be taught SEX in order for them to do it -- like learning to read. The idea is preposterous. Who teaches animals in the wild to breed? Answer: nobody, it's instinctive.
Wow, you make a degrading comment, just because your opinion differs? It is useless to talk to you, then.
sigh
Plus, of all things, IF YOU READ THE WHOLE POST:
Especially in the context of the K&K world, *where we are discussing instinct loss*; nobody forgot to eat or breathe, did they? Therefore, it is not an instinct, but a fact of biology, such as eating, sleeping, heartbeat, muscle movement, ect.
See, it's catching those little clues that make or break the scientists and mystery solvers.
It's Elementary, my dear Fanfic-y Named One.
Plus, of all things, IF YOU READ THE WHOLE POST:
Especially in the context of the K&K world, *where we are discussing instinct loss*; nobody forgot to eat or breathe, did they? Therefore, it is not an instinct, but a fact of biology, such as eating, sleeping, heartbeat, muscle movement, ect.
See, it's catching those little clues that make or break the scientists and mystery solvers.
It's Elementary, my dear Fanfic-y Named One.
Ah, so you know of Gene Catlow. Well, then, you may have heard of me, though I am not as well-known as Mr. Catlow is. I prefer to keep the details of where I am, multiverse-wise, vague in regards to my comments on this blog. Still, I would like this opportunity to ask you a question...
What is your opinion regarding marshmellows?
What is your opinion regarding marshmellows?
I think we have instincts somewhat, like the fight or flight instinct, as mentioned above. Some have it better than others, I guess. Unfortunately, my circadian clock and sense of direction seem to have died. 
I noticed some folks saying as we don't have instincts. I disagree-our society is one of instinctual suppression. If we had NO INSTINCTS, we very well might forget to eat and breathe, and that would most likely leave the whole lot of us dead in a hurry. I suppose testing might be wanted on that point, but I'm reasonably sure it would be less than ethical.
Anyways, what we notice on our end is frankly more horrifying. To use terms that you might better understand, I would say that certain groups of people working certain types of jobs are specializing themselves into extinction, as has been evidenced by people literally dying at their desks in recent years, albeit at least some of that is caused by people refusing or being unable to retire.
So I suppose it all depends on how broad "instinct loss" could be.
Anyways, what we notice on our end is frankly more horrifying. To use terms that you might better understand, I would say that certain groups of people working certain types of jobs are specializing themselves into extinction, as has been evidenced by people literally dying at their desks in recent years, albeit at least some of that is caused by people refusing or being unable to retire.
So I suppose it all depends on how broad "instinct loss" could be.
I don't think we've suffered loss of instincts, but we have an epidemic of loss of common sense. In the country where I live the "lunatic fringe" has grown to be a large fraction of the population, close to a third. I fear for what the future may bring if this continues.
Imbalances on each side of the portal might mean different things; remember, humans HAVE animals (with instincts) on their side. You do not have to ferret out whether or not humans have instincts to find some. Adding someone to the human side who has animal instincts and human intelligence is not adding anything to either quality except in miniscule quantity. Adding humans to a world with no humans...! THAT means adding a number to a small number - changes are much more obvious, when you talk about adding a drop to an ounce, rather than adding a drop to an ocean...
Do you mean like alhzeimers? Or just a temporary loss of previous knowledge?
What if the instinct loss was your side's effect, and it was balanced by the opposite...
... we just explained furries?
... we just explained furries?
You know, I think we need a clearer definition of what defines instinct on the Domain side. Curiosity and the need for explanation? Fight or flight reflex? These might be called human instincts, as has been said above. But the ability to sense the weather long before it comes and things like that have long been lost to a majority of us humans. If we can figure out what so-called instincts we share, and if any of the lost ones correlate to this, I think we can get a better idea of what's going on here.
There is a theory that humans lost part of their set of instincts in the process of becoming sapient. Supposedly, the loss freed up part of their brain for other purposes. Thus, again supposedly, it allowed us to acquire new behaviours, and indeed is possibly the reason why we became intelligent, in so far as we are. ("I wonder who defined mankind as the rational animal. It is such a premature definition." Oscar Wilde).
The comment about socialisation being about suppressing the instincts is largely true. And, given young children's behaviour, and that young children are more instinct driven than adults, I must admit that I for one find the resultant "instinct lose" a blessing.
Can I add to the list of instinctive behaviours Xenophobia. It is, essentially, a form of the territorial instinct. (Got to protect the group's hunting/gathering territory from strangers who will eat our food!)
Lots of ifs and maybes in the first paragraph, but there you go.
Enjoying the strip. Cheers
The comment about socialisation being about suppressing the instincts is largely true. And, given young children's behaviour, and that young children are more instinct driven than adults, I must admit that I for one find the resultant "instinct lose" a blessing.
Can I add to the list of instinctive behaviours Xenophobia. It is, essentially, a form of the territorial instinct. (Got to protect the group's hunting/gathering territory from strangers who will eat our food!)
Lots of ifs and maybes in the first paragraph, but there you go.
Enjoying the strip. Cheers
I do believe humans have SOME natural instincts inside them, and yes, I do feel the loss of some of them lately. Why do you think this is happening?
I think we are seeing something new here - Francis, if he can switch from animal to human, might someday be able to control such a change by willpower. He will be the first to be able to cross between the worlds without a 'translation' device built into the portal he uses.
Not likely. It seems that suppressed human DNA from his mother has finally reasserted itself, implying that the portal supresses the genes of those that travel through it, but not their offspring. To turn Francis back into a fennec/rabbit, the situation should be like the one concerning Martha, go to Human dimention, then back to domain.
tsahvtahv t'hevtee
--Akaduur
tsahvtahv t'hevtee
--Akaduur
Perhaps you are right. But whether it is your theory or mine or some other answer entirely, this development also has fascinating repercussions, since there is no instinct loss being reported. It means that it might be contact with the human world, not with humans per se, that is the cause of the catastrophic effects noted before.
We should note, however, that you did feel an attraction to a planet when you were studying astronomy. i don't know enough about the physics of space-time to make an accurate assumption, but perhaps that planet is our "earth". just an idea that the portal might be more a hole through space rather than between dimensions.
perhaps location in space, and exposure to slightly different radiation or particles or anything else, would affect instincts? so when humans left our "earth" there were no side affects because there was no new residual radiation, but they carried radiation that happens to suppress(but not eliminate) instincts to your earth. this could explain why humans have naturally weaker(but not nonexistent) instincts, while the earth of Domain normally has instinctual populations(though the instincts are tempered by intelligence), except when there is too much of this theoretical radiation.
the primary flaw is that Ms. Aura and Nigel going to the human world balanced the equation, which i cannot explain.
perhaps location in space, and exposure to slightly different radiation or particles or anything else, would affect instincts? so when humans left our "earth" there were no side affects because there was no new residual radiation, but they carried radiation that happens to suppress(but not eliminate) instincts to your earth. this could explain why humans have naturally weaker(but not nonexistent) instincts, while the earth of Domain normally has instinctual populations(though the instincts are tempered by intelligence), except when there is too much of this theoretical radiation.
the primary flaw is that Ms. Aura and Nigel going to the human world balanced the equation, which i cannot explain.
In the comic, that was where humans supposedly went when we ruined earth, not earth.
I've noticed a steady decline of the general population's intelligence. Want proof? Reality TV.
Reality TV...bleh. Can do without.
Then again, about the only thing my TV's been tuned into all year is Smallville. Otherwise, it's all DVD's and V-Games.
Then again, about the only thing my TV's been tuned into all year is Smallville. Otherwise, it's all DVD's and V-Games.
Something just struck me Lindesfarne! When people from your dimension come here, they ecome human, and when people from our dimension come over to yours, we become animals. Francis seems to be an exception. Perhaps research is needed on this, as it seems impossible to me unless a human around here has turned into... well, I won't say it.
I will keep my eyes open if anything liek that occurs. In the meantime, Be sure to let us all know how he is doing.
I will keep my eyes open if anything liek that occurs. In the meantime, Be sure to let us all know how he is doing.
Francis never traveled the portal; his mother did. He has become human due to residual genetic material from his mother, suppressed so that Danielle won't turn human, but that has nothing to do with her offspring. Also, Francis has no human counterpart.
Lindesfarne, I have a terrible suspicion. Check George Fennec's genome as well. We know Danielle was originally human and there's reason to suspect that other humans have crossed to your world in the past: the hanging of stockings at Christmas, for example. Is it possible George was an accidental cross-over from the human world as a child (like yourself)? Having two parents who were human to start with could help explain Francis's situation...
(Making a joke here: it might also explain Rudy's affinity for humans as well. Fiona would also be part human if my suspicion plays out...)
(Making a joke here: it might also explain Rudy's affinity for humans as well. Fiona would also be part human if my suspicion plays out...)
I don't think Fiona's part human, or else she'da lost her fur like Francis. Humanity seems to be dominant.
...Unless George carries recessive human genes, and Danielle carries recessive human genes, so together they form CAPTAIN PLAN---I mean, Francis. But that'd take a lot of backtracking, considering George didn't even know what the portal WAS until Danielle was gonna throw herself through it. Plus that brings up how many other animals have recessive human genes--though those genes could be responsible for domestication. Lindesfarne could've been looking at the human genome for years and not even realized it since she doesn't know what it looks like. But since the birds took credit for that little mishap...
...Unless George carries recessive human genes, and Danielle carries recessive human genes, so together they form CAPTAIN PLAN---I mean, Francis. But that'd take a lot of backtracking, considering George didn't even know what the portal WAS until Danielle was gonna throw herself through it. Plus that brings up how many other animals have recessive human genes--though those genes could be responsible for domestication. Lindesfarne could've been looking at the human genome for years and not even realized it since she doesn't know what it looks like. But since the birds took credit for that little mishap...
XD Har har har, very funny Charlie. Have you gone to candy moutan one too many times or something? -joke-
Besides, that would never work. Remember 'more then 2 = unbalance in the worlds?'
So, unless the REAL 'George Fennec' traveled though the portal as a child to replace the George Fennec we know, the worlds would be out of alignment and Instinct loss would be rampant.
Just a thought.
Also, Xuncu, a few people did forget how to have sex, if you remember the comic where Candice is takeing all the tech support calls that are people who lost instincts trying to get them back.
Besides, that would never work. Remember 'more then 2 = unbalance in the worlds?'
So, unless the REAL 'George Fennec' traveled though the portal as a child to replace the George Fennec we know, the worlds would be out of alignment and Instinct loss would be rampant.
Just a thought.
Also, Xuncu, a few people did forget how to have sex, if you remember the comic where Candice is takeing all the tech support calls that are people who lost instincts trying to get them back.
Do we have instincts. Yes we do. We may have to learn to walk but once we do we do it for live. Also with eating. The body knows how to use the food we eat even if many of use don't understand how it works. How we react at any given time is an instinct. As for Francis turning human. It could be something in his DNA. He could change with the seasons. He could be human every other season & Fennec/Rabbit rest of the time.
I believe the loss we are currently experiencing is somewhat akin to instinct: it's inhibition. We once relied and survived on the belief that all actions portend consequences; whether they be good or bad. It was our belief in this causality that kept us centered and civil. Even as far back as history relates, this understanding allowed us to learn from our mistakes and grow as a civilization. Now, thanks to misused legal loopholes; which once protected us; and a relaxed sense of responsibility towards ourselves and those around us, the concept of "we" has been replaced by an ever strengthening concept of "I". "It's good as long as it benefits me" is now our creed of conduct as a society. No longer is there a consideration for how our actions affect and/or reflect on others; which used to be the overall controlling force. Nowadays, it seems as though we can do anything and everything we want without conscientiousness, consideration, or legal regard. Every day, the news, in all its forms, shows us how easy and worldwide this has become. Money may not be able to buy ultimate happiness, but it sure goes a long way toward immunity.
Anywho, you have instinct, we have inhibition. Both are in danger from external forces. Thank you...
Anywho, you have instinct, we have inhibition. Both are in danger from external forces. Thank you...
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