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The Walrus Burped and Mother Nature Grew Angry
(Anthropomorphisms)
Do we dare personify the Walrus? Dare we be so bold as to claim that Mister Walrus burped like a human? To anthropomorphize or not, that is the question. (Click this hyperlink to see the video, "Walrus Burp the Alphabet" by Jimmyjumpnjive on Youtube.)
“Sure, why not?” I say, with casual aplomb, pulling my foot closer to my mouth. Believe it or not, many people argue it is unwise, even dangerous, to attribute human characteristics to animals or inanimate objects.
Based upon 51 years of experience in this matter, anthropomorphism can be dangerous but it sure is fun and effective. Allow me to explain....
As with many Americans, I was raised in the golden age of anthropomorphism. This is an age that started with the invention of radio, expanded with the invention of television, and exploded with the internet revolution.
In this golden age “silly rabbits” easily outwit shotgun-toting humans. Bears and birds and large cats sing and dance happily together to the uplifting sound of a full orchestra. Lumps of breakfast cereal jump out of the bowl to help quiz me for a spelling test.
Youtube has kept the golden age of anthropomorphism unfolding, as Youtube has shown yet another pre-pubescent generation the value of annoying fruits, dancing detergents and talking felines. Dramatic chipmunk, anyone?
And this happens, why? Primarily because it’s funny. Secondarily, in addition to entertainment value, anthropomorphism is an effective way to engage an audience. Particularly an audience not yet old enough to lawfully operate a motor vehicle.
And we want them to engage, why? So that we can sell stuff to them.
Businesses want to engage these youngsters at such a fundamental level that they will demand that their parents purchase specific foods, products and services. Only the anthropomorphized shall inhabit my shopping cart and your own children shall enforce this law!
Marketers want your children to cry loudly in the grocery store for items that have no food value. Manipulating children into manipulating their parents is a recipe for success in the American marketplace. But that is just the first of the many dangers associated with anthropomorphism.
Perhaps the most dangerous thing about personification of animals is what would actually happen if you ever saw a walrus. Would you walk over and give mister burpy-butt a hug? That would not be a good idea.
Hugging a walrus is almost as bad as approaching a polar bear for a soft drink. Would you really want a soft drink recommendation from an animal that would kill and eat you?
Musical Chairs for Dogs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIDXLJLvZcY
Jimmyjumpnjive on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/Jimmyjumpnjive
LIKE ME ON Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jimmyjumpnjive/157294277673510
Disc Dog Playlist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpY-60XcbzU&list=PL0569B152CF847646&feature=plpp_play_all
Dumb Dog Tricks Playlist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_D6_H6ZqEw&list=PL97572117418FCBC3&feature=plpp_play_all
Stop Motion Animation Dogs Playlist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIDXLJLvZcY&list=PL9E204F3E75D07F4F&feature=plpp_play_all
Jimmyjumpnjive is devoted to peace, love and puppies. An old furry, an ent, an aged hippy freak with nothing but a song of love in his heart. Play and have fun. Party with friends. Fun games. Animal rescue and fosters rule my world. Make the world a better place bit by bit, act by act, word by word.
Do we dare personify the Walrus? Dare we be so bold as to claim that Mister Walrus burped like a human? To anthropomorphize or not, that is the question. (Click this hyperlink to see the video, "Walrus Burp the Alphabet" by Jimmyjumpnjive on Youtube.)
“Sure, why not?” I say, with casual aplomb, pulling my foot closer to my mouth. Believe it or not, many people argue it is unwise, even dangerous, to attribute human characteristics to animals or inanimate objects.
Based upon 51 years of experience in this matter, anthropomorphism can be dangerous but it sure is fun and effective. Allow me to explain....
As with many Americans, I was raised in the golden age of anthropomorphism. This is an age that started with the invention of radio, expanded with the invention of television, and exploded with the internet revolution.
In this golden age “silly rabbits” easily outwit shotgun-toting humans. Bears and birds and large cats sing and dance happily together to the uplifting sound of a full orchestra. Lumps of breakfast cereal jump out of the bowl to help quiz me for a spelling test.
Youtube has kept the golden age of anthropomorphism unfolding, as Youtube has shown yet another pre-pubescent generation the value of annoying fruits, dancing detergents and talking felines. Dramatic chipmunk, anyone?
And this happens, why? Primarily because it’s funny. Secondarily, in addition to entertainment value, anthropomorphism is an effective way to engage an audience. Particularly an audience not yet old enough to lawfully operate a motor vehicle.
And we want them to engage, why? So that we can sell stuff to them.
Businesses want to engage these youngsters at such a fundamental level that they will demand that their parents purchase specific foods, products and services. Only the anthropomorphized shall inhabit my shopping cart and your own children shall enforce this law!
Marketers want your children to cry loudly in the grocery store for items that have no food value. Manipulating children into manipulating their parents is a recipe for success in the American marketplace. But that is just the first of the many dangers associated with anthropomorphism.
Perhaps the most dangerous thing about personification of animals is what would actually happen if you ever saw a walrus. Would you walk over and give mister burpy-butt a hug? That would not be a good idea.
Hugging a walrus is almost as bad as approaching a polar bear for a soft drink. Would you really want a soft drink recommendation from an animal that would kill and eat you?
Musical Chairs for Dogs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIDXLJLvZcY
Jimmyjumpnjive on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/Jimmyjumpnjive
LIKE ME ON Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jimmyjumpnjive/157294277673510
Disc Dog Playlist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpY-60XcbzU&list=PL0569B152CF847646&feature=plpp_play_all
Dumb Dog Tricks Playlist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_D6_H6ZqEw&list=PL97572117418FCBC3&feature=plpp_play_all
Stop Motion Animation Dogs Playlist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIDXLJLvZcY&list=PL9E204F3E75D07F4F&feature=plpp_play_all
Jimmyjumpnjive is devoted to peace, love and puppies. An old furry, an ent, an aged hippy freak with nothing but a song of love in his heart. Play and have fun. Party with friends. Fun games. Animal rescue and fosters rule my world. Make the world a better place bit by bit, act by act, word by word.
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