Have you ever forgotten to change your printer settings, then printed a picture in pure black and white? What did it look like? I've done it more than a few times and the results are not at all useful; everything is either black or white; no shadings; flat; no depth. As very young children we learned right from wrong. Either we could do something or we couldn't. It made life simpler for us knowing the "correct" answer to every decision. But by the time we became adolescents it was almost impossible to teach us anything since we already "knew" everything. Finally as we got older we began encountering situations where it became difficult to separate exact "right" from obvious "wrong." In one circumstance we found it best to do one thing; in a slightly different circumstance, another. We found that different people would do different things in the same circumstances. We began to mature and the world began taking on shades of gray; much more interesting but much more complicated too. How did we learn to navigate through this complexity? We did it by listening and observing; seeing what others did in various circumstances and examining the results. Sometimes there were no others to learn from, so we had to use our own judgment and learn from our own mistakes; not always the most pleasant process. Here on the FML we have a wide range of people and interests. Some are new-comers to the world of ferrets. They are here to learn and, for a while, will learn the ferret world as black and white. It's normal. I've been there. Then there are those who "know" everything. They very readily tell anyone who will listen what is right and what is wrong. Woe be it to anyone who disagrees with their world-view. Yes, I've been there too and, am hopefully out-growing it. The last group, those who teach and learn, have matured to see the world in shades of gray. They are open to discussion and new ideas. They realize that to learn, they first must admit that they do not know. Fortunately this group is in the majority on the FML and they carry the learning process forward for all of us. To the first group I suggest that you overlook the flames and fights, recognizing those as just people still maturing. Look for, then listen to the last group, but don't expect "black or white" answers to your questions. Many of their answers will begin with "it depends." To the third group I plead, "Don't desert us." Most of us are here to discuss and learn. It was just a few short years ago that I finally woke up and realized how little I know, yet need to know. We need you." To the second group, I'll say nothing. No one in that group would listen anyway. Dick B. [Posted in FML issue 2448]