"Telling the Bees" explores the ancient tradition of sharing important family news—births, deaths, marriages—with beehives. This practice, rooted in a belief in the interconnectedness of human and bee communities, saw keepers tapping on hives and whispering the news, sometimes draping them in black crepe for mourning. The essay traces the tradition's decline, linking it to the shift from small-scale, intimate beekeeping to industrialized practices. It reflects on the lost reciprocity between humans and nature, symbolized by this ritual, and suggests that the fading tradition reflects a broader detachment from the natural world and its rhythms. Ultimately, "telling the bees" represents a deep-seated human desire to connect with and acknowledge the living world around us, a connection now increasingly threatened.
Honeybees die after stinging humans and other mammals because their stinger, which is barbed, gets lodged in the victim's thick skin. When the bee tries to fly away, the entire stinging apparatus—including the venom sac, muscles, and parts of the bee's abdomen—is ripped from its body. This massive abdominal rupture is fatal. However, bees can sting other insects without dying because their stingers can be easily withdrawn from the insect's exoskeleton. The barbed stinger and its detachment mechanism evolved as a defense against larger animals, sacrificing the individual bee for the protection of the hive.
Hacker News users discuss the evolutionary reasons behind honeybee stinging behavior. Some question the article's premise, pointing out that only worker bees, not queens or drones, have barbed stingers that cause them to die after stinging. Several commenters explain that this sacrifice benefits the hive's survival by allowing the worker bee to continue injecting venom even after detaching. Others suggest that since worker bees are sterile females, their individual survival is less crucial than defending the colony and the queen's reproductive capacity. One commenter highlights the difference between honeybees and other stinging insects like wasps and hornets, which can sting multiple times. Another points out that the stinger evolved primarily for inter-species defense, particularly against other insects and small mammals raiding the hive, not for stinging large mammals like humans.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43636948
HN users discuss the tradition of "telling the bees" and its cultural significance. Some find it a beautiful custom reflecting a deep connection with nature and a recognition of bees' importance. Others view it practically, suggesting it might have served to calm the bees during disruptive events like funerals. The possibility of subconscious communication with bees is raised, as well as the parallel custom of including bees in inheritance. Skepticism is also present, with some commenters seeing the tradition as purely superstitious. The discussion also touches upon the decline of bee populations and broader themes of ecological awareness and respect for the natural world. A few comments mention personal experiences with beekeeping and the surprising gentleness of bees under certain circumstances.
The Hacker News post "Telling the Bees" has generated a moderate number of comments, most of which delve into the historical and cultural context of the practice of "telling the bees." Several commenters express fascination with the tradition and its implications.
One compelling comment highlights the deep emotional connection between humans and bees implied by the ritual. It notes that beyond the practical aspects of beekeeping, the practice of "telling the bees" suggests a recognition of the bees as sentient beings deserving of respect and inclusion in significant life events. This commenter links this to a broader theme of animism and the attribution of spirit to elements of the natural world.
Another commenter provides further historical context, noting the prevalence of the custom across various cultures and geographical regions. They mention specific examples of similar traditions in different parts of Europe, emphasizing the widespread nature of this belief system. This expands the conversation beyond the initial focus on the British Isles and demonstrates the universality of human interaction with nature.
A separate thread discusses the symbolism of bees and their hives. One user links the hive to concepts of the feminine, the home, and ordered community. This adds a layer of symbolic interpretation to the practice of "telling the bees," suggesting that the ritual might represent a communication with a natural force associated with these concepts.
Other comments speculate about the practical origins of the custom. One suggestion is that it stemmed from the need to keep the hive calm during times of stress or change within the human family. This pragmatic perspective provides a potential counterpoint to the more spiritual interpretations.
A few commenters also share personal anecdotes related to beekeeping, adding a personal touch to the discussion. One commenter, for example, mentions their experience introducing new bee colonies to their property. While not directly related to "telling the bees," these anecdotes contribute to a sense of community and shared interest in the topic.
Overall, the comments on Hacker News explore the practice of "telling the bees" from various perspectives, ranging from historical and cultural analysis to personal reflections and symbolic interpretations. The comments enrich the understanding of the custom by delving into its potential origins and exploring its deeper meaning within the context of human relationships with the natural world.