Do polar bears actually take off their bear skin and become human when they reach their dens? That's not a literal truth. Or at least not so far as we've been able to observe (Of course more things in Heaven and on Earth and all that).
But the Inuit do perceive something real about polar bears. A kind of canniness. An almost-human way of going about things. This animal and these people live in fairly close quarters and have done so for a long time. In that time the Inuit have learned a little something about their white-furred neighbors.
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Human beings have lived in close quarters with animals far longer than we've lived in cities and suburbs. What you say about polar bears and their relationship with Inuit peoples is very much reminiscent of the shamans of ancient tribal cultures and all power animals. But the difference is the Inuit still live in close contact with polar bears whereas most of the rest of us may know about the concept of totemic creatures but when it comes down to finding a spirit beast of our own it's more likely we settle for a pussy cat or a puppy. Not the same thing at all.
The idea that a polar bear would remove its pelt once it gets back to its home cave reminded me of the commercial for washing machines a few years ago - which is funny but hardly respectful:
https://youtu.be/993ForRDhwI?si=vVKzN0rpu2Ujrur4
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We got the very good news today from Jer's surgeon after he performed the Esphagogastroduodenoscopy (whew) that the cancer is gone! The Pet scan from last week confirmed the fact. We're very happy. Here come the Fat Ladies:
https://youtu.be/BgUstrmJzyc?si=smGbsaBqev3d1GAG
The shaman was a crucial figure in early human communities, helping them to get some kind of grip on the unknown. The tradition of shamanism has been lost in most of the world now. It turns out to be hard to replace. And you're right that house pets--vital as they are in their way--are not a substitute for totemic animals. Dogs and (to a lesser extent) cats have shaped their habits to the rhythms of humanity. A totem doesn't come to you that way. You have to go to it.
I kind of liked that commercial. Whoever shot it did a good job of capturing the documentary feeling. There are now hideous pink CGI bears in toilet paper ads, but you don't want to know about that.
I've heard Jerry's good news by now, of course, but it's always good to relish it again.
Eurovision always strikes me as an excessive sensory overload, but I liked those Russian ladies and their song.
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