Just Another Day At The Zoo...

So it is spring break, and what do kids love more on a budget than spending the day at the Zoo? Who knew that we would also get a sex ed class for our price of admission? OK, so that was in fast forward. We are about half way through the Zoo and stopped to look at the primates. They have little windows for the kids to view the animals (not so different than the store fronts in the red light district of London, but I digress.) So our kids go running up to the somewhat large 3ft by 3ft cave looking window to see the monkeys. Low and behold (yes, he held her low and was beholding) - I was just behind them, the kids that is, but too late. The quarter had been put in the wall and the show was on. Oy Vey, a gentleman and his wife in their 60's just snickered and let out a low chuckle as they listened to me try to herd my young ones away form the public display of well, affection.


So then I came across an article that brought this into focus for me. Did you hear about the recent study which “showed” that male monkeys basically “pay” for sex by grooming the females? Wow! Here all this time I thought we’d evolved from the apes, but it seems they’ve got us beat. Apparently, according to the study, they also spend less time working on any one potential mate if there is an abundant supply of females to choose from. Well of course they do. Who wouldn't? From where I sit, it’s the scientists who are the ones dragging their knuckles on the floor when it comes to understanding the act of mating. The irony is stunning, in that only the un-evolved would think that preening was "transactive" in the way that humans use dinner at a nice restaurant or a little black box from Jared to "score."

With nature being what it is, why would anyone assume first that the touch of another living being translates into an economic equation? Maybe the female enjoys the way it feels to have a male running his fingers through her hair. I for one love having my head rubbed. I am told even plants seem to like it when they are given the opportunity to brush up against each other.

Maybe in the jungle it's the feeling of being groomed that turns a girl on. It sounds to me like the monkeys have figured out how to put a prospect in the mood better than we humans have. Think about it. Given the choice - an exchange in goods and services or being messaged by someone who caresses and lathers you up with wonderful slippery smelly good oils? Gimme a break. You tell me... Which is more likely to get the heart pounding and juices flowing?
Just something to think about.

I hope Monsters vs. Aliens is a bit more gentle to my fragile psyche.