Deborah Harrell wrote:
>
> > David Hobby <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> <snip>
> > Got me, what is the difference between disease
> > organisms and parasites?
...
> Delineating one from another is not always
> straightforward.
>
> My Steadman's definition of "parasite" is
> 1) an organism that lives on or in another and draws
> its nourishment therefrom
> Practically speaking, I think what makes something a
> parasite involves the "eeuuww!" factor: tapeworms are
> just *gross,* while cold-causing viruses really
> aren't.
So we're saying the word "parasite" is 90% connotation and
10% denotation. Let's test it. Mistletoe is not gross, at
least unless one is a tree. Do we call it a parasite?
> *Cats* are at least commensals, but frequently provide
> benefits to the lesser bipedal species as well; if
> they cause harm it is *deliberate and predatory,* not
> parasitical!
Benefits? I could get the same effect by leaving stuffed
animals lying around the house, and moving them now and then.
But I guess they "draw their nourishment" from cans, rather
than directly from me. So they are technically not parasites.
: )
And what's *deliberate and predatory* about lying around until
a furless biped trips over you?
---David
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