The “Clowning Around” Edition

Trish, from London (ON), writes:

Dear Ally,

Clowns are creepy. Devastatingly creepy. As devastatingly creepy as you are devastatingly gorgeous. Why, then, do people insist on using them as a form of children’s entertainment? It seems horribly inappropriate!

Thanks!
Trish

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My Dear Trish

It is a scientific fact that many, many people have developed deep-seated phobias about clowns (known as coulrophobia), usually from prolonged exposure to them while still a child. One might think, therefore, that given the large percentage of the adult population who are themselves petrified of clowns that the number of children forced to endure clown-interaction would eventually decline, as parents everywhere became aware of the extensive psychological trauma that they were unknowingly inflicting on little Timmy.

But, strangely, it isn’t, it hasn’t, and it won’t be.

The “Thuggiosity” Edition

Dan, from Hamilton, writes:

Dear Ally,

I have noticed a trend in facebook groups and various photographs around the internet. This trend involves boys (I would not use the term men) of the thuggy persuasion. In every photograph these boys take part in they are flashing their middle finger and talking on a cellphone/drinking a beer. I am just curious if there is a scientific basis behind this phenomena or if every single kid with a sideways baseball cap and baggy pants is mad at a camera person for interrupting their important business phone call.

Ta darling!
Dan

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Dear Dan (ma man),

It is interesting that you post this question as, sadly too late to be considered for this year’s Nobel prize, scientists and mathematicians have made some brilliant discoveries in the territory of thuggiology.
It would appear that the thug, or “Dude” has gone through some stunning examples of de-evolution in the last quarter of a century.