Meme

This is belated. but am duty-bound to respond. So Philip Curmudgeon tags me to nominate seven things of which I'm in favour, then steals one of my immediate top tips (cats). He's a tough taskmaster.

1. Literacy
Where would we be without the invention of writing? I can communicate in the present as a result (since I hate phones), transmit abstract ideas and also access a back-catalogue reaching back several thousand years. Reading transcends and allows access to other times and places, and everyone should do it more, especially me.

2. Dogs
Philip stole the cats, so I have to nominate dogs. Seemingly devoted and eager to please, but in fact self-serving, selectively deaf, monomaniacal egoists. Very good company, better than most humans.

3. Sexual Reproduction
Not only can you have brief fun with sex, but afterwards you can enjoy the product (hopefully) till you're dead. Yes, children cause you worry, guilt and pain, but absolutely the best entertainment ever. Observe how they're they're somewhat like you and your partner, but fundamentally different and unique.

4. Cryptic crosswords
Play with your language and its permutations as you cross-reference the detritus of your connotative vocabulary and references (see 1). It doesn't matter if you finish- the pleasure is in trying.

5. Zoos/ Aquaria
A controversial choice, but as an urban kiddo these opened my eyes to the beauty and diversity of other animals. We didn't hardly have telly in those days. Arguably, David Attenborough's made these redundant now, but I'd still rather watch a meerkat or primate colony in real-time.

6. Camping
Heaven and/or hell, but returns you to materialism; shelter, warmth, food, primitive society.

I ran out of my predictable ideas here. Amongst further potential nominations:
Radio 4 (but not You and Yours)
Trial by jury
State education (to my syllabus, of course)
Compulsory, paid sabbaticals from work.