Nature Note #139: The Economics of Ornithology
"Yeah, but do we need 'em?", the whiny Manchestrian asked. "What chu mean?!", exclaimed Ricky Gervais on another old episode of their XFM podcasts that in recent weeks have been entertaining me as I wait for my seasonal camp work to begin once again. "Jellyfish", continued the Manchestrian, "do we need 'em?" This conversation between Karl Pilkington (the Manchestrain in question and reluctant star of the Idiot Abroad T.V. series), Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais (the co-creators and writers of the original Office ) continued to ferment as they discussed the nigh uselessness of jellyfish to humans and whether there would be a substantial difference to the planet if they were mysteriously spirited away. After calling an unsuspecting scientist and recording the conversation, Pilkington groused to his fellow commentators that apparently there would be a noticeable difference and that they would have to stay. What Pilkington was ge...