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Sep 19, 2021Liked by Life in the Anthropocene

We often don't think of these things, like leaving ants in their own environment alone, so thanks for this. There was a huge anthill along the shoulder of our road, a few feet from our driveway. Each year it got bigger and bigger. Then one day I walked past and saw that someone had destroyed it. Flattened it to the ground. I felt a loss but couldn't figure out why. I think you've answered it for me.

Once, when I was at our cottage alone, a bat joined me in the living room, flew around a bit, then landed on the rug. I managed to throw a towel over it but couldn't bring myself to scoop it up and take it outside, so I called our neighbor, an older man perfectly comfortable in the outdoors, plaid flannel shirt and all. He folded the bat into the towel and took it outside, where he laid it on the ground and pulled off the towel. Then, before I could stop him, he stomped the bat to death.

It horrified me but all I could say was, 'Oh, I thought you were going to let it go'. He didn't even answer me. So, yes, we don't all think alike!

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