World's Animals Give Up: Mass Suicide Begins

On February 10th, the coast guard in the Philippines captured a photo of 200-300 disoriented dolphins drifting towards the coast in what would have resulted in a mass dolphin "self-beaching" event like no other (read original NatGeo article here).
There is speculation that high levels of mercury and/or toxins spread by man are disorienting the dolphins and causing them to beach themselves. Or maybe they've just had enough. We've seen this somewhere before...with the bees.

Large quantities of bees have been disappearing for years now (check out nature episode here). Colony collapse disorder or CCD is the name given to the event where bees in several countries are just disappearing and leaving no trace to help us figure out a reason. Food and larvae have been found in many of the hives -but no dead bodies. Speculation includes pesticide and toxins damaging the bees' navigation system (and making them unable to find their hive after going out for pollen) and sickness caused by mites.

Maybe it's because I just finished watching "The Happening," but it almost seems like the earth's creatures have started losing their will to live. If the survival instinct is gone, what's next? The idea of bees and dolphins committing the animal kingdom's equivalent of Seppuku is probably the gloomiest thought to ever go through my head. Have we forced nature to give up on us by treating the world like crap for hundreds of years? Is nature trying to give itself a clean slate and start over?

With all the hoopla about the world ending in 2012, it makes you wonder...

14 Gold Medals And A Bong Hit

Michael Phelps. What can I say that hasn't been said by all the commentators this weekend? In case you live in a box, this week a picture of American Hero Phelps having a bong hit appeared in a British tabloid (News of The World article here). It seems the world can't believe that Phelps had a bong hit. Uh - this is the same guy who was caught drunk driving at 19 years old. Why is anyone surprised? I just think of comedian Jo Koy's piece on Michael Phelps and how he's Superman in the pool and Forrest Gump when he takes his swimming cap off (check video here.)

What is it about heroes that makes fans believe that they are perfect? If there is one thing that we are taught in stories and the news it's that heroes are human. They have faults and skeletons in the closet. Those faults are what make their conquests so special. Overcoming faults and obstacles make the triumphs taste better.

As far as Phelps screwing up his endorsements and such, hey, he's 23 -he's stupid. 23 year-olds think about sex, partying and eating, The fact that Phelps was only caught messing up one previous time is a freak of nature.

Besides, lets face it. We've all seen the articles and interviews. Outside of the pool, the guy is a bit of a dweeb. The fact that chicks finally dig him and everyone wants to know him was too much pressure for poor Mike. A source even describes him as "holding court" when he goes out to bars. More power to him.

Bottom line? Does anyone really care? Women dig a bad boy more than a jock. The Olympic Committee has made it clear that since the puffs took place after the games and he has admitted responsibility, they are sure he will be a better role model in the future. His fans (over 50%) forgive him and the media will remember when we get closer to the next Olympic games, but does that really matter? He may lose some endorsements, but how many millions does one man really need?