All day researching, with nothing to show for my efforts. This can be very time-consuming.

For reasons not entirely clear to me, the very psychic Justin Case reminded me of the distinction between packs, herds and hives.

The coatimundi (Nasua narica) and the raccoon (Procyon lotor) belong to the same family, the Procyonidae. There are many similarities, in size, in coloration, and in diet. Yet the coatimundi makes a good pet and the raccoon does not.

The reason is because the raccoon is a solitary, nocturnal animal, and the coatimundi is a very social, diurnal animal -- living in bands of up to 20 or even 30 or more.

Now for some quasi-anthropomorphic blathering. As a social loner, I tend to like packs. Herds and hives are fine in theory, but I don't like the aimless following which characterizes a herd, nor do I like the hive idea of mechanized, replaceable workers or drones. Neither mindless cowardice nor mindless bravery, nor lynch mob hysteria, nor waving little red books in the air because everyone else does appeals to me.

Appearances, though, are for yourself as well as for others -- and that's one of blogging's many paradoxes.

UPDATE: Oh, in the interests of fairness, I guess I should point out that I prefer coatimundis to raccoons.