Dear Colleagues,
Bryjulf Tellefsen, as a patriotic Norwegian, has understandably neglected
to explain the rather complex situation of polar bears in Oslo.
It's true that there are no polar bears in Oslo.
There are two explanations for this fact. One is evolutionary. The other is
ecological.
The evolutionary explanation is that polar bears have come to prefer the
taste of native Norwegians over the centuries. During the past half
century, Oslo has become one of the world's great destinations for travel
and tourism. Bears don't like the taste of foreign food. At the same time,
Norwegians spend as much time as possible in their mountain cabins. Thus it
is that polar bears no longer inhabit Oslo, but you will find them a short
drive outside town.
Ecologists offer an alternate explanation. You find packs of timber wolves
in downtown Oslo. It is well known that polar bears tend to be lone
hunters, while the wolves often hunt in packs. This gives the wolves an
advantage over the bears, so the bears avoid timber wolf territory. This
keeps them out of downtown Oslo.
When you are strolling in Oslo, you are well advised to carry a few
sandwiches with you. If attacked by wolves, you can scatter the sandwiches
and escape while they are unwrapping them. This explains two unique local
phenomena. One is the astonishing number of sandwich vendors who can be
found outside subway stations and near streecar lines on most weekdays
selling the well known "Ola pack" sandwich selection. It also accounts for
the fact that so many Norwegians carry a ruck sack, generally filled with
sandwiches.
This also has implications for design research. BMW and Mercedes are now
marketing bear-proof vehicles for those out-of-town excursions. Even more
intriguing from an evolutionary perspective, some bears have begun the
ursine equivalent of industrial design. A bear was recently seen using a
crude artifact that resembles a can opener. It was made of old tire irons
and sections of chain-link fence.
Best regards,
Ken Friedman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Leadership and Strategic Design
Department of Knowledge Management
Norwegian School of Management
+47 22.98.51.07 Direct line
+47 22.98.51.11 Telefax
Home office:
+46 (46) 53.245 Telephone
+46 (46) 53.345 Telefax
email: [log in to unmask]
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