Are Humans Sapient?

I've heard some witty banter casting doubt on even human beings being able to lay claim to sapience. If you've ever worked in Retail I'm sure you have some anecdotal evidence of your own that some humans actually don't seem to have the ability to use logic and judgement. (>ワ<)

Nevertheless, all jokes aside, I believe the judgement doesn't lie on the very best or the very worst example from a species. You look at the mid-section of the bell curve, if you will. There might exist an aberrant horse or turtle that exhibits signs of sapience. Somewhere in the wilderness... But that doesn't mean the entire species gets the Sapience check-mark, you know? Conversely, dumb fuck humans don't strip humanity, as a species, of sapient status.

Sentient vs. Sapient

Ok, so these two words are used pretty interchangeably in sci-fi material.

That don't make it right. There's a difference.

If I had to cut it quick and dirty:

Sentient = ability to feel and perceive.

Sapient = ability to use logic and judgement.

Favorite Word #5: Loaf

Loaf - n. A shaped mass of-...

Actually, I won't give a definition for this word as its meaning is unrelated to its status as one of my favorite words. Unlike the previous entries this one attained a spot on my list through no significant semantic achievements. Nay! Solely from the delight I receive in exercising this word's phonetic powers has it earned the appellation: favorite word.

I didn't have any loaf or bread related images so... here.

A wookie riding a squirrel fighting Nazis.

Favorite Word #4: Serendipity

Serendipity - n. an unexpected stroke of good fortune.

While one of its other definitions is 'an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident' I much prefer this one. Basically it would be what you'd have called the finding of the $20 bill without the ensuing parking ticket.

Personally, I like unexpected strokes of good fortune more than everything just going right in the first place. It's more interesting and it really makes me appreciate the flow of events more, and makes for a better story besides. For example, you might go to the store and return home. Uneventful. Unremarkable. Or you could forget to buy sponges, resign yourself to making an extra trip, only to find a 3-pack hidden in the back of the cabinet. O happy day!

Then again, I've always had more than my fair allocation of good luck. If it were otherwise I might be less favorably inclined to leave things to chance. As things stand, hurray serendipity!

By the way, I am aware that my scenario there and the description given of my own experiences with this phenomenon are, indeed, perfectly fitting for that other definition I said I didn't care for. What ev's, man. What ev's.

Favorite Word #3: Vicissitudes

Vicissitudes - n. the alternating changes in circumstance and fortune in life; the ups and downs.

Although the word applies to both the rising and falling of fortune it's most often used when the fortune falls. For example, you find a $20 bill on your way to your car but find a parking ticket under the wiper when you get there. Some (that is to say, I) would lament "the vicissitudes of life". Loudly. And with much arm waving.

\(T.T\) (/T.T)/

Favorite Word #2: Wanker

Another one of my favorite words for your pleasure:

Wanker - n. 

1. A contemptible person; jerk.

2. A male masturbator. 

Ha-HAA!! There's multiculturalism for yah! I dunno when I picked that up, exactly. Probably around the same time I got 'colour' and 'honour'. 

 Ah wellz, I been saying 'wanker' for years and I'm not gonna stop wanking now!

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Wait, that didn't come out right.....

Favorite Word #1: Schadenfreude

Seeing the wonderful word 'zeitgeist' used by Ivan Montiel in response to yesterday's post has inspired me to share with you another word of German origin and, incidentally, one of my personal FAVORITE WORDS*fanfare*

Schadenfreude - n. pleasure derived from someone else's misfortune.

You're lying if you tell me you have never experienced this. That or you don't know of FailBlog. In which case I'd highly recommend a look-see.

Hmm? (O_<)>" *nudge nudge wink*

Living a thousand times

You want to know why I rant so much about movies and such? It isn't because I have lots of anger. No, no, it's because have standards for things, entertainment included. The movies and books are especially important to me because these are the ones that mass amounts of people will read or watch. These works of fiction serve to weave people together. Everyone has different lives, different experiences, but when two people have read the same book, watched the same tv shows they have a common ground of vicarious experience. And there's one of my favorite words right there by the way.

Vicarious.

I have never actually fought demons on mountaintops nor have I caught the hand of a friend as they fell into an abyss but through the many fantastic stories I've consumed, I kinda have. These adventures have allowed me to 'see' and 'do' so many things. I've killed, loved, saved, and lived (and died) thousands of times through these stories. And that's why I'm like, "Hey now hey, I wouldn't do that, hey wait a- dammit. whydja go and INVESTIGATE alone you idiot!"