La La Zoo pays $4500 for Feng Shui monkey exhibit

[William Parcher]

"It's very experimental," Simona Mainini (feng shui expert) said. "We don't have any books on feng shui for monkeys. We just have to assume that Darwin is correct and that there is a connection and what is good for humans is good for monkeys." (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070213/ap_on_fe_st/feng_shui_zoo)

Funny; I don't remember Darwin saying that feng shui is good for humans.

[Orthoptera]

Golden Monkey Feng Shui Expert:

"Be sure to leave a big hole in the fence there so that the ... um.. bad energy... yes, the Bad Energy, can get out."

[gerdbonk]

I heard this on the radio driving home today. I just renewed my zoo membership last month. The announcer was calling it "the science of feng shui". I almost drove off the road. She's a goddamn expert at feeling where the door should go.

That's what my membership dues paid for. :mad:

[SezMe]

I have no evidence but I could imagine that the contract negotiations between the Chinese and LA Zoo folks might have resulted in a requirement that the LA Zoo use feng shui in the design of the enclosure.

gerdbonk, as a member, I think you ought to ask for some more information - if nothing else, it might prove interesting.

[Cuddles]

Funny; I don't remember Darwin saying that feng shui is good for humans.

I don't remember him saying that what is good for humans is good for monkeys either.

[TriangleMan]

We just have to assume that Darwin is correct and that there is a connection and what is good for humans is good for monkeys."
*sigh* I think even the monkeys could have figured out better things to spend the money on.

[JQH]

Is it true that "Feng Shui" means "Ancient Art of ripping off gullible Westerners"?

[thomps1d]

Is it true that "Feng Shui" means "Ancient Art of ripping off gullible Westerners"?

Actually, I think it translates simply as "Ancient Art of Ripping Off Gullible People". There are plenty of non-westerners who are sucked in by it, too.

[gerdbonk]

I have no evidence but I could imagine that the contract negotiations between the Chinese and LA Zoo folks might have resulted in a requirement that the LA Zoo use feng shui in the design of the enclosure.

gerdbonk, as a member, I think you ought to ask for some more information - if nothing else, it might prove interesting.

I plan to compose a letter when I have the time.

[EeneyMinnieMoe]

Like just about everyone who looks to Feng Shui, the only thing they might need is a good designer. The effect is exactly the same and you'd save a buck or two.

[Loss Leader]

When it comes to zoos, I have a hard and fast rule:

They send out really insane press releases just for publicity.

Face it, zoos aren't as exciting as amusement parks or as convenient as movies or as interesting as watching paint dry. They basically need to constantly remind people that they even exist. That's why the Atlanta Zoo hired a psychic to see if the panda was pregnant. That's why the LA Zoo has a feng whateveryoucallit.

The real zoo people (I think they're called biologists or, possibly, veterinarians) know it's all nonsense. But without it the zoo closes. And I don't know what would happen then but I'll tell you one thing: the monkeys can't stay with me.

[SezMe]

OK, OK, you "Opinionated Jerk". I'll take the monkeys, you get all the venomous spiders. :)

[Loss Leader]

OK, OK, you "Opinionated Jerk". I'll take the monkeys, you get all the venomous spiders. :)

No problem. I can step on a spider.

[SezMe]

No problem. I can step on a spider.
My emphasis. I bequeathed you an uncountable number!

PS: Who is responsible for this unholy thread derail? :)

[ponderingturtle]

What is the big deal about spending $4500 on a $6,000,000 exhibit and spent $10,000,000 on the rental fee?