I can just imagine some of your reactions to the spider revelation! :lol:
http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/08/06/e_b_white_on_why_he_wrote_charlotte_s_web_don_t_double_cross_a_pig.html
Quote
E.B. White on Why He Wrote Charlotte's Web
By Emily Bazelon
Posted Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013, at 11:16 AM
The first line of Charlotte's Web is about preventing a murder. "Where's Papa going with that ax?" Fern asks her mother. When she learns that he's going to the hoghouse to kill the runt of a litter born the night before, she chases her father down and talks him out of it. "This is the most terrible case of injustice I ever heard of," she says.
That note of urgency, and farm life realism, courses through the book, giving it the energy that has made it such an eternally beloved, indispensable classic. Now we know that's just what E.B. White, the author, intended. In a letter to his editor, Ursula Nordstrom, written in September 1952, a few weeks before the book was published, and posted recently on Letters of Note, White wrote:
A farm is a peculiar problem for a man who likes animals, because the fate of most livestock is that they are murdered by their benefactors. The creatures may live serenely but they end violently, and the odor of doom hangs about them always. I have kept several pigs, starting them in spring as weanlings and carrying trays to them all through summer and fall. The relationship bothered me. Day by day I became better acquainted with my pig, and he with me, and the fact that the whole adventure pointed toward an eventual piece of double-dealing on my part lent an eerie quality to the thing. I do not like to betray a person or a creature, and I tend to agree with Mr. E.M. Forster that in these times the duty of a man, above all else, is to be reliable. It used to be clear to me, slopping a pig, that as far as the pig was concerned I could not be counted on, and this, as I say, troubled me. Anyway, the theme of "Charlotte's Web" is that a pig shall be saved, and I have an idea that somewhere deep inside me there was a wish to that effect.
White also defended spiders—in particular, Charlotte's real-life namesake, whom he watched spin a sac for her eggs at his place in the country, and then toted off to New York:
A few days later, when it was time to return to New York, not wishing to part with my spider, I took a razor blade, cut the sac adrift from the underside of the shed roof, put spider and sac in a candy box, and carried them to town. I tossed the box on my dresser. Some weeks later I was surprised and pleased to find that Charlotte's daughters were emerging from the air holes in the cover of the box. They strung tiny lines from my comb to my brush, from my brush to my mirror, and from my mirror to my nail scissors. They were very busy and almost invisible, they were so small. We all lived together happily for a couple of weeks, and then somebody whose duty it was to dust my dresser balked, and I broke up the show.
White ends by saying that he hasn't told Nordstrom why he wrote the book "but I haven't told you why I sneeze, either. A book is a sneeze." It's a delightful metaphor. But in fact, I think White has told us why he wrote Charlotte's Web. He wanted to make children, and their parents, think about what it means to raise animals only to butcher them. And why we should consider letting that spider in our bedroom live.
QuoteA farm is a peculiar problem for a man who likes animals
:yes:
QuoteAnd why we should consider letting that spider in our bedroom live.
Nope.
Quote from: garbon on August 07, 2013, 10:52:23 AM
QuoteAnd why we should consider letting that spider in our bedroom live.
Nope.
Yeah, fuck that. I'm all about letting animals valuable to the ecosystem like spiders do their thing but if it winds up in my bedroom, well, that's just going to be a bad road game for it.
Herbivores = food
Quote from: CountDeMoney on August 07, 2013, 11:10:31 AM
Quote from: garbon on August 07, 2013, 10:52:23 AM
QuoteAnd why we should consider letting that spider in our bedroom live.
Nope.
Yeah, fuck that. I'm all about letting animals valuable to the ecosystem like spiders do their thing but if it winds up in my bedroom, well, that's just going to be a bad road game for it.
Indeed. As much as I appreciate and agree with his weenie message viz. pigs, for spiders there can be no shelter and those who offer succor to such creatures are traitors to the human species. If I see one talk or write messages in its web, perhaps I'll reconsider.
Quote from: Ideologue on August 07, 2013, 02:31:45 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on August 07, 2013, 11:10:31 AM
Quote from: garbon on August 07, 2013, 10:52:23 AM
QuoteAnd why we should consider letting that spider in our bedroom live.
Nope.
Yeah, fuck that. I'm all about letting animals valuable to the ecosystem like spiders do their thing but if it winds up in my bedroom, well, that's just going to be a bad road game for it.
Indeed. As much as I appreciate and agree with his weenie message viz. pigs, for spiders there can be no shelter and those who offer succor to such creatures are traitors to the human species. If I see one talk or write messages in its web, perhaps I'll reconsider.
:D
That said, I'm actually fine if they want to live in the same building (somewhat similar to my approach to roaches now that I live in the city -_- :blush:) - just don't leave any evidence that you exist and stay out of my field of vision.
It's weapons free for roaches. Smashed one from across the room with a plastic cup a couple of days ago. At the same time, they're not terribly scary.
The arthropods that really freak me out, and I'd happily consider DDTing the whole place for, are house centipedes. Had them bad in an old apartment, but I've seen two or three here. Those fuckers, while disturbing to look at, are actually pretty innocuous (they can bite but are not venomous) and in general they're of a cautious disposition, so they do their best to stay in the edges of rooms. Unfortunately, they also consider the ceiling to be an "edge." And sometimes they loose their footing.
Quote from: Ideologue on August 07, 2013, 02:31:45 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on August 07, 2013, 11:10:31 AM
Quote from: garbon on August 07, 2013, 10:52:23 AM
QuoteAnd why we should consider letting that spider in our bedroom live.
Nope.
Yeah, fuck that. I'm all about letting animals valuable to the ecosystem like spiders do their thing but if it winds up in my bedroom, well, that's just going to be a bad road game for it.
Indeed. As much as I appreciate and agree with his weenie message viz. pigs, for spiders there can be no shelter and those who offer succor to such creatures are traitors to the human species. If I see one talk or write messages in its web, perhaps I'll reconsider.
The hive has noted. The suicide drones have been alerted for retaliation.
That odd taste in your mouth when you wake up?
Spider. :ph34r:
What the hell is a "spider hive"? :D
Quote from: Ideologue on August 07, 2013, 02:40:00 PM
It's weapons free for roaches. Smashed one from across the room with a plastic cup a couple of days ago. At the same time, they're not terribly scary.
What really bug me and I'd happily consider DDTing the whole place for are house centipedes. Had them bad in an old apartment, but I've seen two or three here. Those fuckers, while disturbing to look at, are actually pretty innocuous (they can bite but are not venomous) and in general they're of a cautious disposition, so they do their best to stay in the edges of rooms. Unfortunately, they also consider the ceiling to be an "edge." And sometimes they loose their footing.
We had 3-4 inch ones living in the clay studeo I worked in as a young fella. I pegged one with a blob of wet clay that must have been a world record size.
Put the clay - plus imbedded corpse - on a drying rack in the back room and forgot about it. A year later, one of the other workers picked it up ... I heard the scream three rooms away. :lol:
Quote from: Ideologue on August 07, 2013, 02:31:45 PM
If I see one talk or write messages in its web, perhaps I'll reconsider.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftwitpic.com%2Fshow%2Flarge%2F2hzfm7&hash=d7646f41310ab44e725c5243303f9551d6e8b254)
:lol:
Quote from: Ideologue on August 07, 2013, 02:41:45 PM
What the hell is a "spider hive"? :D
Oh, you will find out. You will find out. :ph34r:
Quote from: Ideologue on August 07, 2013, 02:40:00 PM
It's weapons free for roaches. Smashed one from across the room with a plastic cup a couple of days ago. At the same time, they're not terribly scary.
Not a fan.
I liked when I had that one dorm room where baby spiders were crawling all around. Finally made me be a bit more sane with regards to my arachnophobia. -_-
Quote from: derspiess on August 07, 2013, 02:43:54 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on August 07, 2013, 02:31:45 PM
If I see one talk or write messages in its web, perhaps I'll reconsider.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftwitpic.com%2Fshow%2Flarge%2F2hzfm7&hash=d7646f41310ab44e725c5243303f9551d6e8b254)
Is that from an ad for birth control pills? :P
Quote from: Ideologue on August 07, 2013, 02:40:00 PM
The arthropods that really freak me out, and I'd happily consider DDTing the whole place for, are house centipedes. Had them bad in an old apartment, but I've seen two or three here. Those fuckers, while disturbing to look at, are actually pretty innocuous (they can bite but are not venomous) and in general they're of a cautious disposition, so they do their best to stay in the edges of rooms. Unfortunately, they also consider the ceiling to be an "edge." And sometimes they loose their footing.
I understand how you feel. I'd want them out of my house too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKUVAOD0PnE
House centipedes are only about 2cm long, not "as long as [my] arm." :x
Also: WHY IS THAT GUY DOING THIS?
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F24.media.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_mdsq9mhwBU1rcfsrso1_500.jpg&hash=f1b755708a7a9921071017ab0829af66674271ce)
Quote from: Ideologue on August 07, 2013, 03:14:21 PM
House centipedes are only about 2cm long, not "as long as [my] arm." :x
No - they range from 1 to 4 inches (that is, 10 cm).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scutigera_coleoptrata
You don't forget a 4 incher in a hurry. :lol:
They also should stay out of my way. :angry:
Quote from: Malthus on August 07, 2013, 03:42:09 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on August 07, 2013, 03:14:21 PM
House centipedes are only about 2cm long, not "as long as [my] arm." :x
No - they range from 1 to 4 inches (that is, 10 cm).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scutigera_coleoptrata
You don't forget a 4 incher in a hurry. :lol:
I guess most the ones I saw were small. Could've been an inch, inch and a half.
Does the length count antennae?
Spiders get a welcome here, as they ensure there are no flies, mosquito and the like about. :cool:
Gee you know what's exactly as threatening and scary as a spider? A gnat.
Quote from: Ideologue on August 07, 2013, 03:57:11 PM
Quote from: Malthus on August 07, 2013, 03:42:09 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on August 07, 2013, 03:14:21 PM
House centipedes are only about 2cm long, not "as long as [my] arm." :x
No - they range from 1 to 4 inches (that is, 10 cm).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scutigera_coleoptrata
You don't forget a 4 incher in a hurry. :lol:
I guess most the ones I saw were small. Could've been an inch, inch and a half.
Does the length count antennae?
Nope. Body length.
That said, the pottery studeo had the perfect conditions for growing truly champion house centepedes: in some places it was permanently damp (to stop clay from drying out too fast), lots of dark places, lots of nooks and crannies, etc.
In normal houses, centepedes get detected before they reach full 10 cm size.
Perhaps, assuming "detected" is euhpemism for "killed with a broom."
I liked the last line of the Wiki article:
QuoteIt should be noted that they are a non-toxic, safe method of pest control, as house centipedes prey on other arthropods.
Oh,
noted. And snakes kill rats. I should infest my house with snakes.
Quote from: Ideologue on August 07, 2013, 04:01:13 PM
Gee you know what's exactly as threatening and scary as a spider? A gnat.
My post was from the viewpoint of infectious agents these creatures carry, flies are not good.
Fun thing about increasing temperatures here, it's predicted that malaria carrying mosquitoes might make a comeback in another couple of decades. <_<
Quote from: Ideologue on August 07, 2013, 04:07:19 PM
Perhaps, assuming "detected" is euhpemism for "killed with a broom."
Yup. :D
Quote
I liked the last line of the Wiki article:
QuoteIt should be noted that they are a non-toxic, safe method of pest control, as house centipedes prey on other arthropods.
Oh, noted. And snakes kill rats. I should infest my house with snakes.
Well, on the plus side, the snakes and centepedes will also discourage unwanted
human visitors. :hmm:
Snakes a lovely. :wub:
I gas wasps, hornets and yellow jacks with a massive barrage. Suffer not the wasp to live.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwh40k.lexicanum.com%2Fmediawiki%2Fimages%2Fthumb%2F9%2F98%2FYoungEisenhorn.jpg%2F176px-YoungEisenhorn.jpg&hash=ff23bbc3f46ac14c347bf55364a6973c0bdbfe2b)
Hornets terrify me. When I was a boy I had several books on insects. One had the face of a hornet on the cover. I couldn't even bear to look at it.
I still haven't properly dealt with that nest of yellow jackets inside the board on the front of my house. They're lucky I'm distracted by the moles I'm trying to kill off.
Quote from: derspiess on August 07, 2013, 07:43:15 PM
I still haven't properly dealt with that nest of yellow jackets inside the board on the front of my house. They're lucky I'm distracted by the moles I'm trying to kill off.
PURGE THEM WITH FIR....oh wait, in your wall.
When I was young I climbed a tree in our back yard. My brother, being a brother, threw rocks at me. He managed to hit a hidden yellow jacket nest about 10 feet from me.
That kind of sucked.
Quote from: PDH on August 07, 2013, 07:48:38 PM
My brother, being a brother, threw rocks at me.
Wait, you're black? :unsure:
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on August 07, 2013, 08:07:24 PM
Quote from: PDH on August 07, 2013, 07:48:38 PM
My brother, being a brother, threw rocks at me.
Wait, you're black? :unsure:
There are no black people in Wyoming. Except the athletes that get imported with 4 year visas or Garbon passing through at 90mph.
And I'd do it again. :cool:
How about Canadians?
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/291465_3713450949956_1044100264_o.jpg)