Quote:
Originally Posted by MrChipster
Lemmings do not commit suicide. However, this particular myth is based on some actual lemming behaviors. Lemmings have large population booms every three or four years. When the concentration of lemmings becomes too high in one area, a large group will set out in search of a new home. Lemmings can swim, so if they reach a water obstacle, such as a river or lake, they may try to cross it. Inevitably, a few individuals drown. But it’s hardly suicide
|
Who said lemmings commit suicide? I didn't. I used the lemmings propensity to breed like, well, like lemmings, over populate and destroy their habitat, then rush off to find a new home---to destroy. I used the island as the setting as metaphor for earth. Many live on islands and what was portrayed was pretty accurate. (Yes, I did borrow from Disney. Thanks Walt.) And, like in the Disney film, the lemming were not commiting suicide, they were trying to find a new home. Some, probably most, possibly all may drown in the attempt. The ocean is a big and dangerous place for a little land animal. But they can run or swim away. If we don't take care of our "island habitat in space", we can't just run or swim to the next earth-like planet.