For those of you not already listening WNYC's Radiolab now is the time. It's one of the best new (admittedly a few years old now) shows to come out of Public Radio in recent memory: a science show that is amusing, accessible, and amazing. Their newest episode not to be missed is dedicated to the animal mind. However in the autumn of last year they produced a show all about parasites and if you're overly found of your freewill you might find it a little upsetting.
One of the microscopic bombs they dropped is that the "crazy cat lady" may not be responsible for her own actions. The friendly parasite Toxoplasma Gondii who's favorite home is a cat's gut (maybe he's a fan Baroque Era orchestra) sometimes finds his way into human brains via a love scratch. Toxoplasy usually is interested in getting into a rat brain and once there switches some wires to make the rat go bats for cats. Thus increasing the chances of the rat being eaten by the cat and the parasite finding his way back into a cat's digestive track. However something similar may happen in person's brain when filled with this little guy; so the individual may get a compulsive need to be surrounded by cats. It has also been associated with schizophrenia.
One of the microscopic bombs they dropped is that the "crazy cat lady" may not be responsible for her own actions. The friendly parasite Toxoplasma Gondii who's favorite home is a cat's gut (maybe he's a fan Baroque Era orchestra) sometimes finds his way into human brains via a love scratch. Toxoplasy usually is interested in getting into a rat brain and once there switches some wires to make the rat go bats for cats. Thus increasing the chances of the rat being eaten by the cat and the parasite finding his way back into a cat's digestive track. However something similar may happen in person's brain when filled with this little guy; so the individual may get a compulsive need to be surrounded by cats. It has also been associated with schizophrenia.
Now knowing what cats do for us please gently consider the following statement:
Cats look best when they are slightly annoyed.
Exhibit (A)
Exhibit (B)
Exhibit (C)
Exhibit (B)
Exhibit (C)
I've long maintained that what makes cats truly special is their near-constant air of superiority. They almost always have a sort of "I'm way too good for you" look on their little cat faces. It's what makes me love them. Incidentally, it's also what makes me love girls.
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