I'm imagining if humans did this: each piece of flotsam would be a corporate slogan or trending pop culture reference.
"That conference is today, I'd better slap on this 'Going forward'...yes that looks good, now for a 'reinvent the wheel' over here, and a 'circle back'...yes now I'll blend right in. Better put a 'pivot' in my pocket for good measure too."
"Tonight's that dinner with The Popular Kids, better wear my full-length Extroversion! Let's see, what goes with that...ah here's a homophobic slur about my best friend, it's ok, they won't be there, right? I'll blend right in. And what's a show that everyone's quoting and expecting me to be in on too, stick a couple of those references here and here. Perfect! No one will know what's under all this."
I think humans most definitely DO do this! All those social calculations... what to wear, how to act... when you're "fitting in".
However, I think it's funny to point out, we do it to please/mollify other humans. Decorator crabs are dressing up like non-crab things to avoid crab-eating predators.
But I know plenty of introverts who are like, "I dress up to 'fit in' with groups so the human bullies/predators hopefully won't see/find me." Which says something about just how hard life is as a human among humans....
I happen to have ended up with a motto, too. Also in college, a boyfriend at the time & I writing out our first resumes, and including… motto? Haha. So in a similar way, I blurted out: Live and let live. And I still stand by it! If ever asked, now I guess, lol.
"Oooh, this algae is VERY reasonable! And this coral is just sitting here... I wonder if they'll throw it in with this kelp mat, the colors really do compliment my eyes, don't you think?"
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It delights me to know that there is such a thing as a Decorator Crab.
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By the way thank you for the beautiful birthday card!!
So kind and thoughtful!
You have a generous spirit and forethought I certainly don't, although I admire yours greatly.
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When I was growing up, even in the huge school district I attended, I never met anyone else with the same birthday as I have.
And I would guess that, like us, decorator crabs do not plan.
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"That conference is today, I'd better slap on this 'Going forward'...yes that looks good, now for a 'reinvent the wheel' over here, and a 'circle back'...yes now I'll blend right in. Better put a 'pivot' in my pocket for good measure too."
"Tonight's that dinner with The Popular Kids, better wear my full-length Extroversion! Let's see, what goes with that...ah here's a homophobic slur about my best friend, it's ok, they won't be there, right? I'll blend right in. And what's a show that everyone's quoting and expecting me to be in on too, stick a couple of those references here and here. Perfect! No one will know what's under all this."
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All those social calculations... what to wear, how to act... when you're "fitting in".
However, I think it's funny to point out, we do it to please/mollify other humans. Decorator crabs are dressing up like non-crab things to avoid crab-eating predators.
But I know plenty of introverts who are like, "I dress up to 'fit in' with groups so the human bullies/predators hopefully won't see/find me." Which says something about just how hard life is as a human among humans....
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Omg THAT CRAB!
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RIGHT!? That CRAB!! *squee-dies*
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Do I mind what?
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Such fancy crabs!
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