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From: Rich <rich@example.invalid>
Newsgroups: alt.folklore.computers,comp.os.linux.misc
Subject: Re: The joy of actual numbers, was Democracy
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 15:51:28 -0000 (UTC)
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In comp.os.linux.misc D <nospam@example.net> wrote:
> 
> 
> On Sun, 10 Nov 2024, rbowman wrote:
> 
>> On Sun, 10 Nov 2024 11:18:57 +0100, D wrote:
>>
>>> If I moved there I sure would need a .357 Magnum do defend myself if
>>> those cats are loose! I'd better practice my quick draw!
>>
>> I've had several encounters with cats without bloodshed. They have a
>> profile for prey and I don't fit it. Mountain bikers and joggers fit the
>> fleeing prey envelope rather well. Small children are vulnerable. The last
>> fatality in this state was in 1989, a 5 year old riding a tricycle.
>>
>> Not to anthropomorphize but in my encounters we made eye contact and
>> eventually went our separate ways. My feeling was the cat was curious
>> about this thing standing its ground and concluded it was another apex
>> predator best left alone.
> 
> Wow! The only thing I remember having heard or read is, if meet bear, then 
> try to appear huge and make some noise. Maybe it works on cats as well?

Do keep in mind that outside of African savanna cats, the 'cats' that 
someone will encounter backwoods in the US will be quite a bit smaller 
than a bear (both in weight and in size).  So a standing human, holding 
his/her gound, will appear to the cat to be a possible 'foe' of 2x to 
3x their height.

Bears, not so much, since they start out out-weighing the human at the 
outset, and if they stand up, will usually be able to stare down at the 
human as well.

> I guess if you turn and run that might activate the hunting instinct in 
> cats?

That would very much trigger a "prey..., hunt now" instinct, in the cat.