I'M PICKING UP GOOD VIBRATIONS.... FROM MY PIG
A recent research project from Newcastle University pointed to a conclusion that pigs have a fairly complex range of emotions
These emotions are well beyond our previous expectations for Porky and his friends.
The pigs in the study were placed in a study where a musical note meant a treat for the pigs, while a clicker meant an irritating noise such as a plastic bag being rustled. Apparently pigs don't like this noise anymore than guys like me enjoy a 10,000 watt rap music serenade from the smarmy punk ass kid in the car next to me.
Then the pigs were divided into two groups. One group was given four star (in pig world) accommodations that included a solid layer of straw, lots of elbow room, and toys that pigs really enjoy. The toys were not identified in the report, but one would assume that they were probably not video games. But toys that pigs dig is still a point of curiosity. One they didn't explain.
The other group was placed in smaller quarters and only given one toy which was "non-interactive", according to the report. Basically the second group was bored by a lack of stimulation- not unlike anything that stars Jim Belushi in human world.
Both groups were then given another noise (a squeak) so the porkers could guess whether the new noise was a good thing or bad thing. The pigs in the better environment approached the researchers while the other pigs did not approach the researchers. The conclusion was that the happier pigs were optimistic that the new noise was possibly another reward, while the unhappy pigs were thinking Jim Belushi again.
The noble side of the research is the notion that a pig with a better quality of life will have a more positive reason to get up in the morning. The researchers feel that we should make our pigs happier before they arrive as the dinner guests of honor.
It probably makes sense. But no pig would ever be completely happy if he ever figures out his real reason for existence in a non-philosophical sense.
No matter how many pig toys that might come his way before that last ride.
Jim Sutherland @mystarcollectorcar.com
