Re: The absurdity, the absurdity (was: Cooperating theropods?)

[Jack <jconrad@lib.drury.edu>]

On Mon, 6 Apr 1998, Larry Dunn wrote:

> Jack wrote, quoting me:
> 
> >> off.  And exactly what would just one such gash accomplish?  Probably 
> >> draw the attention of the tenontosaur so it could turn around and 
> squash 
> >> the pipsquak who had such nerve as it fell off.  
> >
> >One gash wouldn't do much.  However, we are discussing group behavior.
> 
> Yes, that's precisely the problem: the assumption of group behavior.  
> 

Discussing, not assuming, group behavior.  To discuss group behavior you
first look at how the animal would do both with and without group behavior
(at least that is the approach I would take).  Then you decide which seems
most feasible to you.  Chris has made some very good arguments.  Although
I am not in complete agreement with his ideas, I feel his position is a
strong one.  
I understand your disgust for the position of assuming pack behavior, but
I feel that you must at least entertain the possibility.  Perhaps some
people are blinded by what they've seen or heard in the past and do want a
"raptorman" (as you dubbed it) so badly that they do not look at the
evidence, but it is just as unhealthy to not be open-minded to pack
hunting behavioral possibilities.  

jc