Bonobos
Email to Vanessa Woods, my favorite Primatologist (who studies Bonobos, my favorite animal!!):
Dear Vanessa,
My name is Nicole Blume, and I just wanted to write you to let you know what I huge fan I am of your work, writing, and dedication to bonobos. I have read and enjoyed every single blog entry you've posted! I also wanted to share a funny bonobo story with you that I think you might enjoy... :)
I first discovered bonobos in high school, when I joined and later became editor of our art & literary magazine, aptly named "Pan Paniscus." Next, I really got a chance to explore these wonderful creatures further in my freshman year Physical Anthropology class at UC Berkeley. Instantly, I was hooked. Bonobos were only briefly mentioned (such a tragedy), but it wasn't long before I began spending long hours in the Anthropology library reading about their fascinating habits and watching videos online. I even started my own women's club amongst my female friends called "The Super Secret Bonobo Book Club," where we ladies got together to support one another, much like the cooperative and peace-loving bonobos we all admired!
Finally, at the end of the semester, our Professor announced an optional extra credit assignment: we could make an educational poster board to display in the Anthropology building on any subject we liked so long as it related to our coursework. Naturally, I chose bonobos! I scoured the library and internet for awesome pictures and created an elaborate posterboard entitled "The Promiscuous Pan Paniscus" (I loved the alliteration of the 3 P's.) I detailed the myriad of ways bonobos cooperate with another, including using sexual encounters to mitigate tension, and proudly turned my assignment in. It was one of the best homework projects I had ever worked on!
Well, imagine my surprise a week later when EVERYONE else's posters were displayed in the anthropology hall...except mine. At first I panicked: had my poster disappeared, fallen behind a desk somewhere or stolen by an overly competitive classmate? I confronted my professor. Did you get my assignment?! Yes, she confirmed, and yes, I would still be receiving my extra-credit points. However, she explained, unfortunately my posterboard was "simply too pornographic to display in the halls!"
So there you go. Apparently, photos of bonobos engaging in sexual intercourse are pornographic, according to the UC Berkely Anthropology Department. Nevermind the fact that no actual humans were in any photos, or that the photos were legitimate documentations of wildlife behavior from valid scientific sources. Apparently, I was distributing what can be considered the world's first display of "Bonobo Porn."
If you are even remotely interested, I would love to send you a photo of my "Promiscuous Pan Paniscus" posterboard. I still hold that the poster does not constitute pornography, but hey, that's just my opinion...maybe your readers could chime in with their vote? :)
Thank you so much for reading my story, Vanessa. You truly are one of my most revered heroines, another pioneer just like Jane Goodall and so many other dedicated scientists and animal lovers before you. Thank you for always fighting the good fight and helping to save the world - one bonobo at a time.
With esteem and admiration,
Nicole Melinda Blume
Dear Vanessa,
My name is Nicole Blume, and I just wanted to write you to let you know what I huge fan I am of your work, writing, and dedication to bonobos. I have read and enjoyed every single blog entry you've posted! I also wanted to share a funny bonobo story with you that I think you might enjoy... :)
I first discovered bonobos in high school, when I joined and later became editor of our art & literary magazine, aptly named "Pan Paniscus." Next, I really got a chance to explore these wonderful creatures further in my freshman year Physical Anthropology class at UC Berkeley. Instantly, I was hooked. Bonobos were only briefly mentioned (such a tragedy), but it wasn't long before I began spending long hours in the Anthropology library reading about their fascinating habits and watching videos online. I even started my own women's club amongst my female friends called "The Super Secret Bonobo Book Club," where we ladies got together to support one another, much like the cooperative and peace-loving bonobos we all admired!
Finally, at the end of the semester, our Professor announced an optional extra credit assignment: we could make an educational poster board to display in the Anthropology building on any subject we liked so long as it related to our coursework. Naturally, I chose bonobos! I scoured the library and internet for awesome pictures and created an elaborate posterboard entitled "The Promiscuous Pan Paniscus" (I loved the alliteration of the 3 P's.) I detailed the myriad of ways bonobos cooperate with another, including using sexual encounters to mitigate tension, and proudly turned my assignment in. It was one of the best homework projects I had ever worked on!
Well, imagine my surprise a week later when EVERYONE else's posters were displayed in the anthropology hall...except mine. At first I panicked: had my poster disappeared, fallen behind a desk somewhere or stolen by an overly competitive classmate? I confronted my professor. Did you get my assignment?! Yes, she confirmed, and yes, I would still be receiving my extra-credit points. However, she explained, unfortunately my posterboard was "simply too pornographic to display in the halls!"
So there you go. Apparently, photos of bonobos engaging in sexual intercourse are pornographic, according to the UC Berkely Anthropology Department. Nevermind the fact that no actual humans were in any photos, or that the photos were legitimate documentations of wildlife behavior from valid scientific sources. Apparently, I was distributing what can be considered the world's first display of "Bonobo Porn."
If you are even remotely interested, I would love to send you a photo of my "Promiscuous Pan Paniscus" posterboard. I still hold that the poster does not constitute pornography, but hey, that's just my opinion...maybe your readers could chime in with their vote? :)
Thank you so much for reading my story, Vanessa. You truly are one of my most revered heroines, another pioneer just like Jane Goodall and so many other dedicated scientists and animal lovers before you. Thank you for always fighting the good fight and helping to save the world - one bonobo at a time.
With esteem and admiration,
Nicole Melinda Blume