I've always liked the optimism of that phrase - "hope dies last".
I can't find the link, but I once read of a psychology experiment where two sets of rats were each put in a tank of water and forced to swim to avoid drowning. After a period of time one set were temporarily taken out of the water for a short time before being put back in again, the second set were left constantly in the water. Both sets of rats were then left to drown.
Again I can't remember the exact data, but the set that had experienced 'rescue' swam for longer, considerably longer. They seemed to have had a 'hope inducing' experience which, on some level, affected their appetite for, and the possibility of, life.
Maybe hope really does die last.
Very positive way of looking at it but the author Studs went on to say "poor people never lose hope, they can't afford to".
Does hope sustain or in the worst instances do you just not get around to giving up hope?
I hate Mondays ..
Posted by: Peter H | 07/17/2006 at 10:35 AM
Yes, but the 'once-rescued' rats probably felt that much worse when they finally went under.
Posted by: Jared | 07/17/2006 at 10:49 AM
Perhaps, perhaps not.
Posted by: Colman | 07/17/2006 at 11:05 AM
Are rodents the new dogs/weather/red socks?
Posted by: Ben | 07/17/2006 at 11:44 AM
Possibly.
I'm finding them a diverse subject area.
Might try and combine dogs/weather/socks/fitness/rodents into one mega post, and then burn the blog.
Posted by: Colman | 07/17/2006 at 11:55 AM
Good post this. 'Hope dies last' is a lovely quote/sentiment for something.
Posted by: Ben | 07/17/2006 at 02:07 PM
A magician pulls rabbits out of hats. An experimental psychologist pulls habits out of rats. So.....
Posted by: Nick Terrett | 07/17/2006 at 02:38 PM
Ben, I was thinking that is was a nice sentiment for...err...life. But if you can think of something better/more important, then do share.
Posted by: Colman | 07/17/2006 at 02:58 PM
A magician pulls rabbits out of hats. An experimental psychologist pulls habits out of rats. So.....
A monastic magician pulls habits out of hats? Renotkil pulls rats out of rabbits?
Posted by: picklin paul | 07/17/2006 at 03:26 PM
Ever considered the idea that those rats that were "temporarily rescued" just had more energy left to keep swimming? Seems a way more logical explanantion to me
Paris
autumnrain weblog
Posted by: Paris | 07/21/2006 at 10:30 AM
It's been repeated - same result - dead rats!
Posted by: Colman | 07/21/2006 at 10:34 AM