Blog Post Assignment 2/27/09

1.On page 82 Ishmael talks about ‘anthropomorphism.’ Look up the definition of this term and post it in your blog, then describe what he is applying it to in the chapter.
According to Dictionary.com:

Anthropomorphism

An`thro*po*mor"phism\, n. [Gr. ? of human form; ? man + ? form.]1. The representation of the Deity, or of a polytheistic deity, under a human form, or with human attributes and affections. 2. The ascription of human characteristics to things not human.

On page 82, Ishmael is referring to claiming territory. His message is that animals are becoming similar to humans, (meaning protecting their territory at any cost. Humans will fight for their territory at all costs, even when they know that they lost the war for their land. People usually fight for dignity and honor. As for animals, they do fight for territory, but usually not till death. I believe that a lion would give up a fight if everything is gone or his life is on the border of death.

2. In this chapter Ishmael leads us through the evolution of the Awks on planet Calliope. They start out as Awks and then some evolve into Bawks and then a few evolve into Cawks. These Cawks live in tribes and have a cultural heritage. They practice the strategy of ‘Erratic Retaliation’.

1. How does Ishmael define ‘Erratic Retaliation’? How does it work in the case of the Cawks?

Erratic Retaliation is fighting when it is right, but giving up when its time to retreat. Its saying to be smart about what you do to make sure that everything is fair. Its also similar to if they do something to you, you have the right to do something back. Its like a fair revenge. For the tribes in the Cawks, they practice Erratic Retaliation because it makes everything seem fair. For example: If someone steals a basket of lemons from your tribe, you can steal a basket of apples from their tribe. It's in a way respectful to get fair revenge, especially since the other tribe will see it coming

b.Why is Erratic Retaliation a peacekeeping method?
Erratic Retaliation is peaceful and keeps peace among the tribes because they see it as something fair. If you think about it, we mainly get angry at something when something isn't fair. For example: You did more work than someone in your group, but they get all the credit or the better grade. That would make somone angry. To prevent that, Erratic Retaliation makes sure that if someone takes something from you, you have the right to take something back. So it's like saying that you are "getting even" and you can't argue if you are even

1. Why don’t the Cawks just annihilate each other (instead of just doing the occasional attacks?

They don't annihilate eachother because they want to be equivelent among eachother. Occasional attacks are not a big thing if you know that you will return them back. It would keep you aware of the possibilties of an attack, but they wouldn't have to stress to much of it being anything like our wars we have today. And another reason, why would they want to annihilate eachother? Whats the point of whiping out a civilization or tribe. What does it help you gain? The Cawk tribes obviously not greedy.