Giant gerbils infest China: BBC

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses an unusual situation involving an infestation of gerbils in China's Xinjiang region, exploring various speculative and humorous responses to the phenomenon. The scope includes speculative theories about the cause of the infestation and light-hearted commentary on potential solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express concern about the potential for harm to the gerbils, suggesting humorous solutions like de-clawing.
  • Others propose a satirical exchange involving Richard Gere, indicating a playful approach to the issue.
  • A participant speculates that the gerbils may have escaped from laboratories, linking the infestation to a failed experiment by the Chinese Space Program involving diet pills and exercise wheels.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the cause of the infestation, with multiple speculative theories presented alongside humorous commentary.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes speculative claims about the origins of the gerbils and the motivations behind their proliferation, with no empirical evidence provided to support these theories.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in humorous takes on unusual news events, speculative theories about animal behavior, or commentary on environmental issues may find this discussion engaging.

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An explosion of gerbils is decimating vast areas of grasslands in China's north-western Xinjiang region, with some of the prairies completely destroyed by hundreds of rodent burrows, according to authorities in the region

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3162743.stm
 
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Goodness, I hope people don't start de-clawing these monsters!
 
We could lend them Richard Gere
in exchange for an agreement to
stop spying on our technology.
 
"Possibly escaped from laboratories, the gerbils are thought to be the result of a failed attempt by the Chinese Space Program to develope a faster-than-light propulsion system that would involve feeding diet pills to the hyperkinetic rodents and placing them on exercise wheels..."
 

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