DO MEN ACTUALLY HAVE A STUPID GENE...?

Douglas Adams, author of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, once wrote, "Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so." This intuitive conclusion was recently verified by scientific consideration. At least so claims John Jensenius of the National Weather Service. He reports that of the 648 people killed by lightening in the U.S. in recent years, more than 80% were men....!

Instantly I can hear an eruption of very different theories from men and from women. The male of the species will be inclined to find external factors like we're-taller-so-we-attract-lightening-quicker. Behavioral psychologist Peter Todd -- himself a male of the species -- argues not so fast. He hypothesizes there are internal factors at work. The male's evolutionary sense of daring, risk, bravado and therefore carelessness.

At which point, men, might counter-hypothesize, "The male is always the bold risk-taker who puts himself in places of great danger." To which the contemptible traitor Todd might (and does) reply, "Sorry, guys, but the victims so far include men struck down simply while fishing, playing baseball and mowing the lawn."

Now here's my problem.

The Bible, Evolution, and especially the guys down at the gym all seem to insist the male of the species is the stronger and gutsier of the two genders. Why then does such a large majority of us die sooner? fall off ladders more often? break more bones and get more hypertension? Could it be that among the countless genes being studiously decoded and mapped by our evolutionary biologists there is a Stupid Gene...?

You understand, I have no firm conviction in the matter. All I know is that while my younger brother -- clearly the risk-taker in his family -- has yet to be struck by lightening, he has aged and grayed much faster than his more risk-averse wife. You see my confusion here.

As for Douglas Adams, he did not die by lightening, but he did receive a lovely tribute from scientist Richard Dawkins. In his 2001 eulogy, Dawkins said, "Adams thought like a scientist -- but was funnier." I might have added, "And wiser."

Why...? Because what Adams said about human experience in one sentence, Dawkins would have taken 50 plus footnotes. Which, in turn, probably means neither I nor my brother would have read this. However, now that we have, we keep walking around always looking up...!