Threaded Albatross extension stem. What to do with it?
- Thread starter craiginthecorn
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One species is protected, but not the Wandering Albatross, which is the species with the very large wingspan and whose bones were used by sailors for pipe making. The pipe I bought was clearly declared as having an albatross bone stem. It was not confiscated by U.S. customs, which I became concerned could happen upon researching the topic after the auction. I was recently talking with a Greek fisherman from the San Francisco area who had spent most of his adult life at sea. He told me how an albatross would be a companion for days at a time. Clearly, a magnificent bird. Happily, even the sailing community came to realize that it was a truly sad in improper thing to do to kill a great bird just for its bones, so its usage in pipe-making is relegated to history, where it properly belongs.
Since my interest in it is primarily historical, in the interest of preserving it, I don't intend to ever smoke the pipe.
It's an interesting ethical question. Debate is healthy when done in the proper manner. Sadly, too often online, debate is simple mud-slinging. This is just good discussion. Thanks for your perspective mso489.
Since my interest in it is primarily historical, in the interest of preserving it, I don't intend to ever smoke the pipe.
It's an interesting ethical question. Debate is healthy when done in the proper manner. Sadly, too often online, debate is simple mud-slinging. This is just good discussion. Thanks for your perspective mso489.
The idea that people over-identify and humanize animals in imaginary and self-deceptive ways certainly has merit, dressing pets in clothes and costumes, and many other more subtle but equally probably delusional ways. On the other hand, in our human grandiosity, people universally distance themselves from other creatures to an considerable degree. As an observation of human nature, I would assert that the people who get most worked up about people anthropomorphizing animals, if you draw them out further, often find it impossible anthropomorphizing other people. This sounds like a word game I'm playing, but I'm afraid it isn't. It is amazing how little a cohort of human beings understands that others' life experience is parallel to theirs, virtually difficult for them to imagine, usually draws a blank. Domestic animals can "shake us down" for food, shelter, protection and medical care precisely because they relate with deep observation and precision. In that sense, they may be somewhat smarter than humans. I appreciate pigs and their intelligence, and I love bacon too. No guru or sage here. I'll cease and desist.
The discussion was on this historical albatross bone stem for a pipe; and the pipe historians in residence were weighing in.
The discussion was on this historical albatross bone stem for a pipe; and the pipe historians in residence were weighing in.
wy2w, don't feel embarrassed or regret for expressing emotion for the loss of your son. There is nothing more traumatic than losing a child to death and its effects are never left behind or gotten over. I thought the metaphor of your son's spirit soaring with the albatross was quite touching. I'm truly sorry for your loss.
Respectfully,
Eric
Respectfully,
Eric
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