The Necklace

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  “SHE WAS one of those pretty, charming young ladies, born, as if through an error of destiny, into a family of clerks. She had no dowry, no hopes, no means of becoming known, appreciated, loved, and married by a man either rich or distinguished; and she allowed herself to marry a petty clerk in the office of the Board of Education. . . .  She had neither frocks nor jewels, nothing. And she loved only those things. She felt that she was made for them. She had such a desire to please, to be sought after, to be clever, and courted.” —THE NECKLACE Guy de Maupassant    France, 1884 (pic by Grok) Read this short story here:  https://americanliterature.com/author/guy-de-maupassant/short-story/the-necklace

Puffer-fish Evolution

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Can't help but wonder about Puffer-fish evolution. Which came first: the need to reproduce or the ability to reproduce? How quickly over the course of millions of years did this 5 inch Puffer-fish develop the skill to construct such an elaborate mating bed (up to 7 feet across) that would be attractive to the female in order for the species to survive?



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