Why My Cat Refuses to Blog
Earlier I wrote a few words about my cats, and their difficulty when it comes to their use of technology. When I read them my blog post the other day, they appeared to register a lot of silent feline frustration. Instead of curling in my lap and purring, for example, one bit my toe while the other one made “bunny ears” behind my head when I wasn’t looking.
Now, when I am confronted with this kind of silent anger, I feel it’s time to engage in a mature and adult dialogue. So, we talked, my two cats and I. Following are the results of that conversation, transcribed as best as I could manage it:
First, they objected to my posting a blog without first consulting with them. I had to concede that one to them.
Second, Socks, our female, communicated that throughout history, even since ancient Egyptian times when cats were revered, felines have never followed techie trends. I argued in reply that we don’t know that — but then, they are the cats, not me. So I had to give them that one, too.
Third, and final: we talked for several hours about whether cats should even be expected to be engaged in the same endeavors that humans are. It was a key question, because my cats are treated a little like people in our household — so shouldn’t they be expected to hold up their end of the tech/blog bargain?? They responded — yeah, so make me!
At that point, I felt it was break time. So, the three of us had a bowl of milk, a couple of mousie treats, and we agreed to meet again in the near future for further discussion. I’m pretty sure one of them whispered on the way out the door, “Like, he thinks we’re going to reply to his email?!?”
November 9th, 2007 at 10:22 am
MEOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 9th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
That was really interesting, Mr. Kennedy. I think there was a deeper knowledge, will animals ever have their own communities, or societies… or do they already? Your probably wondering if I am sarcastic, or honestly thinking that, ’cause I don’t really know. It is an interesting question. Also, a good laugh. Keep it up Mr. K.
November 9th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Hi Mr. Kennedy—
Your post was really funny yet deep and serious at the same time. That is a hard style of writing to achieve and you captured it perfectly. I think that cats are actually smarter than they let society know. I really liked your post and I will visit your blog in the future. Keep up the great work!!
Lizzie A.—
November 9th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Your post was very funny. I liked when your cats did stuff on you like bunny ears. What were your cats names though? Well, keep up the good work!!!!!
November 12th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
I think cats, much like horses, can be led to water… and then fill in your favorite cliché. Are educators the same way; disdainful of forced changes? Forced resources? Forced actions? Are we, like cats, worried that we’ll be run over in the driveway if we don’t keep our tails clear of the speeding vehicle that technology has become?
While lounging in a sunbeam all day sometimes makes me jealous for a cat’s life, it also means that for the lounging we’re missing a whole lot of exciting stuff going on around us. Or, should we take another characteristic cat maneuver as our model for educators with technology? Should we hunker down on our haunches, lay our ears back and get spring loaded ready to pounce as the vehicle moves?
Lounging or pouncing? It’s a question for kitty-cats and teachers alike.
November 12th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
It seems to me that the notion of a blogging, tech-savvy cat is catching on in the blogosphere. My cat Lucky thinks it’s just about time. I can tell from the way he curls around my feet, like a furry piece of spaghetti, when I have my tablet open on my lap. Occasionally he will look up at me, with those mysterious eyes, as if to say, “Well, are you smart enough to understand me, or not??” I’ve not yet given him an answer that he completely agrees with…
As to cats and educators? Well, as someone who has participated in education for decades, in one way or the other — I think teachers might be like very smart cats: intelligent, cautious, circumspect, lounging, pouncing, and always willing to be warm company to those who understand and appreciate them.