Wisdom from H. weknowbetterus

Samantha Bonar’s derisive dismissal of the bar creature Hetero drinkalotus as a mere brute [“Gorillas in Our Midst,” Nov. 18] underscores the prejudice too often reinforced in the public mind by professional researchers who bring an unexamined feminist bias to field interactions.

H. drinkalotus exhibits many traits that should deepen our sensitivity to his basic humanity -- including a complex belief system (much akin to fatalism) couched in the repetition of such utterances as: “There’s someone for everyone,” “It doesn’t hurt to try,” “The worst she can do is say no” and “In the dark they’re all the same.”

And when you enter the watering-hole habitat of H. drinkalotus, avoid the inclination to show disdain or superiority. They can smell it and make things most unpleasant for you. Bear in mind that this is their habitat. Like coyotes, they were here before you.

Jim Valentine

Woodland Hills

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I surmise from Bonar’s article that she is in her 20s, as the immature behavior exhibited in it shows no depth of character or experience. Does she think that being cruel is a sport? What if the article had been written about the women at the bar who tease with their low-cut blouses? Would she be so quick to the phone calling Gloria Allred to defend her offended character that she might break a nail?

As a woman in my 40s who loves being single and isn’t looking for marriage, I see the world as an opportunity to meet new people and learn something new every day. I dare say that if Samantha took her experience at the bar as one to gain new skills in conversation or to meet new people, versus a time spent being spiteful and shallow, she might have even had some fun.

Yvette Berke

Valley Glen

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I must caution you on the Pandora’s box you’ve opened. H. drinkalotus can be a pesky beast, and bad manners are never welcome, but Bonar crossed the line when she played the looks card (OK, the “plumage” card). A lot has been made of women’s self-image problems (and rightly so), but these same problems occur in men with equally devastating results.

You see, it all starts when H. niceusguyus tries to initiate contact with H. youaintgettingnoneus. Apparently, the species are incompatible, but H. niceusguyus doesn’t know this. He thinks he looks like H. gotuscashus, or even H. lookslikesomeoneontvus, but he doesn’t. So he goes to the gym, buys some obnoxious clothes (or worse yet, puka shells), and works on his evil grin. Alas, H. youaintgettingnoneus is not fooled.

But if H. niceusguyus is going to avoid extinction, he must seek respite from his solitary existence. So as a good-looking if slightly insecure specimen, I implore the female of the species to treat us more by our actions.

Tom Roden

Irvine

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Science is always a matter of observation and noting of facts. For a different take, try a large bookstore and observe H. literati. Successful mating requires choosing the correct subspecies with which to interact.

Alan Dean Foster

Prescott, Ariz.