Right after a baby bee emerges from the cell where she grew from an egg to a larva to a pupa to a worker bee, she starts about doing her work, all the various jobs she's going to handle over her life-span of 6 weeks. I've talked about this process before, and I'm in awe of how orderly the entire process is.
But what about the learning curve? I've read that baby spiders have to practice web-making. Their first efforts tend to be lopsided, poorly anchored, too small, and with the strands too far apart (or too close together). Yes, they have the instinct to build those webs. But instinct needs a little help.
I've never read anything about how bees learn. Are their first efforts less than precise? I've never seen a honey comb where the cells were square instead of hexagonal. I've never seen cells that were too small to hold the pupae. Are the bees absolutely correct from the moment they're born? If I as a beekeeper try to invade a hive, will a newly-born baby bee try to sting me? Or will she leave that job to the grown-up bees?
And what about people's learning curves? We have BIG issues around that. Are people born with the instinct to protect their own? Or do they have to develop that skill?
Last year, as you may know, I took the Citizen's Police Academy, and learned a great deal about the ways in which the officers learn to protect to citizenry. Are people who go into police work simply those who have a more highly developed protection instinct than the rest of us? I don't know. But here's your chance to explore the possibilities.
Remember last January when I posted those pictures of me in the Michelin Man suit -- ain't it purty?-- being attacked by a police dog as part of the Gwinnett Citizens Police Academy? You, too, can make a fashion statement like this ...
But what about the learning curve? I've read that baby spiders have to practice web-making. Their first efforts tend to be lopsided, poorly anchored, too small, and with the strands too far apart (or too close together). Yes, they have the instinct to build those webs. But instinct needs a little help.
I've never read anything about how bees learn. Are their first efforts less than precise? I've never seen a honey comb where the cells were square instead of hexagonal. I've never seen cells that were too small to hold the pupae. Are the bees absolutely correct from the moment they're born? If I as a beekeeper try to invade a hive, will a newly-born baby bee try to sting me? Or will she leave that job to the grown-up bees?
And what about people's learning curves? We have BIG issues around that. Are people born with the instinct to protect their own? Or do they have to develop that skill?
Last year, as you may know, I took the Citizen's Police Academy, and learned a great deal about the ways in which the officers learn to protect to citizenry. Are people who go into police work simply those who have a more highly developed protection instinct than the rest of us? I don't know. But here's your chance to explore the possibilities.
Remember last January when I posted those pictures of me in the Michelin Man suit -- ain't it purty?-- being attacked by a police dog as part of the Gwinnett Citizens Police Academy? You, too, can make a fashion statement like this ...
If you don’t live in Gwinnett County Georgia, then please check your local police department to see if they offer a citizens academy. It will be well worth your time.
Spread the word! The “Michelin Woman & the Dog” routine is entirely optional.
BEEattitude for Day # 394:
Blessed are those who try new flowers, for they shall find nectar aplenty.
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