The Signs Of A Natural Life

that we consider 'normal' or accptable, are many.
The major signals being not just sentience,
but autonomy among your own kind
and with other species, via a currency
and a community with collective values.

If ever we found such a life
in some technology we'd made
how long would it be before
we actively recognized it?

'Well Groomed

with a glossy coat and good teeth',
aptly describes the four legged
entrants of Crufts,
the world-famous dog show.
It describes even better their owners.

The description also fits
the human entrants of every
rigged popular music reality
-television psuedo-competition
where the sponsors win the most.

The dogs as victims of freakish
breeding and over pampering
deserve some sympathy, much more
than their talent show equivalents.

The most tragic element of both
entertainments is the audience
who passively accept such
over-wrought artificialities.