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From: JWHITE%MAINE.BITNET@WISCVM.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: Humans, non-humans, non Terrans, and Bars
Message-ID: <3716@topaz.RUTGERS.EDU>
Date: Fri, 20-Sep-85 18:06:01 EDT
Article-I.D.: topaz.3716
Posted: Fri Sep 20 18:06:01 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 25-Sep-85 06:33:38 EDT
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Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.
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From: JWHITE%MAINE.BITNET@WISCVM.ARPA  (Jim White)

 Mr. Miller writes,
> What makes us think that any other species out there would have any
> interest at all in a bar?  Granted, they seem to be fairly universal
> earth customs, but why would an alien species have a desire to get
> inebriated?

 Neither social concourse, nor meeting at the local bar, should be considered
a purely Human, or even Terran behaviour trait.

 Human beings are basically social creatures. Sure, one can find examples
of people who are loners, but they are rare and even the most resolute can
seek comfort in knowing that he or she is but one of billions. Most other
animal species on earth are social; ants, bison, lions, wolves....... and
on and on ad nauseum.

 I don't think that it is unreasonable the we might more closely resemble
an intelligent creature from another world, then an ant, or a bee. Although
the ants and bees are very different from ourselves, they are still social,
and probably have their own analog, to our 'watering hole'.

With respect to the alchohol, it is simply a mind altering drug. It is not
unreasonble to believe that other intelligent species have their own
'poison'. The desire to 'get away from it all', may be a common trait amoung
sentient life forms.Aside from that, we've all seen the way a Cat reacts
to Catnip. You don't even have to smart, or a biped, to enjoy a 'buzz'.


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