¶ Berry Picking
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Index Entry
Berry Picking:
“Man is not unique, then, as a toolmaker. There are many creatures that make tools, in the way of nests and other apparatus. Man is unique only in the extent to which he has employed tools. All his tools result from discovery of repeated functions and conditions that are friendly or unfavorable to the continuation of the life process. In each case of man’s developing or inventing a tool, it is because he has had some experience of need. Man–early man-- doesn’t have to invent being hungry or thirsty. So he tries out some things, and when he sees that some people die when they eat those red berries, he passes those berries by and keeps looking for something that will keep him going. While looking for his food, he suddenly realizes that he is very thirsty and there is no water at hand. In desperation for a while, he finally happens upon some water. Now if you come to water and you are very thirsty and you are just an ancient man, you would have to ask, ‘How do I take in water?’ You might plunge your head under and you get water up your nostrils–that isn’t very good. I recall as a child seeing the cat and the dog lapping up their water and wondering if maybe that wasn’t a better way. I saw lots of things that animals did which seemed to be very logical. I remember trying to lap”
