don@allegra.UUCP (Don Mitchell) (05/16/85)
Riddle's reply to my note on gay genes was fascinating. I am still skeptical about a specifically gay gene, but the "wild card" gene might have many possible side effects. Konrad Lorentz has discussed the structure of animal societies (mainly birds). Such creatures generally have a very rigid set of behavior patterns that allow them to survive. Individuals that deviate from that behavior are quickly killed by their companions. In some sense, Human pack instincts are similar. People who act strangely are hated, but when they start playing with fire and banging rocks together they suddenly start to benefit the species! Creativity is rare, and it may be more common in people who have retarded instincts. (An idea Nietzche would like, since he despised people who live by blind instinct and faith.) So, let us try to tolerate our gay friends and resist the temptation to start pecking them to death.