Entertainment Editor's Note 10/26

Story by Dylan Bliss 

| Published Oct 26, 2010

Recently, one of my friends was kind enough to let me borrow their “Life” Blu-ray box set, a full chronicle of nature programs featuring incredible footage of wildlife from across the globe. As I basked in the glow of my gargantuan television, I listened intently while David Attenborough dictated the amazing survival stories of these creatures. Many of the animals featured go to great lengths to either mate, hunt, or avoid being hunted, and during the often gorgeous displays of tact and finesse I realized there was something missing from their lives, a disposition to create.

Dolphins can blow as many bubble rings as they please, and monkeys can smash walnuts open to their hearts’ content, but none of these species has ever formed a band or sculpted any structure that wasn’t directly linked to surviving or attracting mates. To get to my point, humans are innately driven to make music, perform sketch comedy and dance like idiots; all the while taking drugs and drinking until we throw up. We feel the need to entertain, and to be entertained.

Believe me, I watched all six discs of BBC’s “Life” series, and nothing on earth has the capacity to create, absorb and criticize art like the homosapien. It also seems like being recognized for your creations is one of the most effective ways of leaving a lasting impression on your environment, unless you’d rather shoot up a school or run for president. So go ahead and pound your bongos naked, craft intricate theme parks on your PC and snap bathroom mirror photos for your next profile picture. It’s what you do.

As always, you can join the writing staff or just share stories anytime at dylanbliss@hotmail.com.