I can’t get over the haunting concept described by zoologist Richard Dawkins’ hypothesis that we humans are merely vessels for our genes, which both use and control us. Everything from our hair color, to our HDL cholesterol levels, to our propensity for bipolar disorder can all be traced back to our specific genomes. Even those clearly environmental influences, like pickling one’s brain with alcohol, find roots in genetic predisposition. The genes are the thing; and the idea that they use us to stay alive by eternally hopping from parent to offspring again and again strikes me as both utterly true and oddly reminiscent of the basic teachings of Scientology.

Dawkins’ hypothesis has been coming up a lot lately in my life for some reason, and here it comes again. Reuters news agency reports this morning that the ire of a conservative Polish politician has been raised by the lifestyle of a ten-year-old elephant named Ninio.