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Old 02-11-2009, 01:19 AM   #8
MikeRozak
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Re: What defines a "MUD" ?

An evolutionary analogy:

"MUDs" are a small species of primate that lives only in rainforest trees. The rainforest used to cover the entire continent, so muds were everywhere and thriving.

Recently, most of the rainforest disappeared and were replaced by savanahs (a few trees, lots of grass). This change in climate is attributed to the Nvidia meteor impact that happened in 1998.

Those muds whose trees were incinerated by the impact were forced to change or perish. The tree-less muds took their first steps on the grass and evolved into land-dwelling primates, that were larger, and stood on two feet. These adaptations allowed them to see over the tall grass, and to defend themselves against predators; they can no longer climb trees well.

Some rainforest remains, clinging to small creeks winding through steep valleys. The water and shade provided by the surrounding cliffs provide just enough for the rainforest to survive, although the rainforest is only 1% of its former size.

Some rainforest primates remain, and have a meeting about what they should do: It's unclear if the the remaining rainforest is shrinking or not. Furthermore, a drought and a bad bushfire could wipe the last rainforest out in a few hours.

Half the rainforest primates say that the rainforest is the only place for them, and that they will stick with it to the end.

The other half argue that trees exist in savanahs. They're not as tall and lush and densely-packed as rainforest trees, but they're still trees. Of course, to suvive in the savanahs, the primates would have to learn to run from tree to tree (growing longer legs), and eat different foods (with different-shaped teeth).

"But if you leave the rainforest and live in savanah trees, then you will have longer legs and smell differently, and you will no longer one of us, and you will no longer be welcome here," said some of the primates. "We can't let you back, because if you do return, your genese will intermix with ours, and we will change too. We like the rainforest and don't want to leave."

... Stop by next week for the continuing saga of the rainforest primates.
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