Pronouncing this little insect’s name is a bit of a mouth fuck, but it’s referred to as: “Eocorythoderus Incredibilis.”
I’ve wanted to write this post for a LONG time now. I want to tell you of a supremely strange little beetle I heard about.
Make no mistake, this beetle is a truly unique creature.
Why?
You’re probably expecting me to elaborate on some sort of physiological aberration or a unique trait, am I right?
Well. You’re wrong. This smooth little bastard is different for a completely different fucking reason than you would ever imagine.
He’s lazy.
In fact, he may be the laziest organism on the planet.
And yet… he thrives!
And I’m about to tell you how.
As something of a “language geek”, I’m always fascinated by the origins of words, phrases and idioms. Thus, while searching for the timeline of the emergence of the phrase: “The height of laziness”, I came across a description of this little guy.
He’s a beetle, as I mentioned, who figured out that termites can’t see too well, and as part of their duties in a hive, they transport their larva to food sources as required.
So… this guy took advantage of the termite’s near-blindeness. He crawls into their nest, then simply waits for the termites to valet him around to each meal.
What a concept, eh? So clever, right?
What laziness!
Exploitative behavior in the animal kingdom isn’t exactly unknown, of course, but this takes the cake, and deserves recognition for exemplifying the idiom: “The height of laziness.”
As I mentioned, I’ve wanted to write this post for awhile now, and kept shuffling it to the backburner. Recently, however, I saw an example, certainly, of literary laziness in ad-form, and I decided it was time to hit two birds with one stone and mention both.
Here’s the add:
…
…
I have to ask, though… is this aimed at… wishful intellectuals…?
Are there some who, frustrated that quality literature requires actually reading books, wish to know the endings and key moments of classical literature?
Is that… the case?
I don’t know.
And frankly, I don’t care.
Many people read those lame “cliff notes” books in High School, I recall. The ad above seems to be the same type of… drivel.
It’s lazy, obviously, and it’s also a disservice to the great writers throughout history who pinned their thoughts, dreams and narratives to paper.
I mean, it’s not as lazy as tricking a termite into ferrying you around to food sources, I suppose.
But it’s still pretty fucking lazy.