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>I'm Australian. Probably explains why you have a disparaging attitude towards indigenous knowledge.

• duncan_bayne 9y ago
  Nice ad-hominem there ;-P I'm actually first-generation Australian, grew up in New Zealand, and spent a lot of time immersed in the indigenous culture, learning the language, etc. One of the highlights of my school years was participating in the dramatization of the Maori creation myth. So I know quite a bit about indigenous myths and legends (albeit not many Australian ones), and the way they're used and interpreted in contemporary indigenous society. But the thing about myths and legends - indigenous or otherwise - is that they're mostly bollocks. Sure they can have social value. But it behooves us to be _very_ cautious about how we interpret those myths and legends. Some are basically true, and it can be frustrating when that's ignored. "No-one knows how the Moai at Easter Island were erected! It must have been aliens!" "Errr, we're local, we can show you if you'd like. Would've been nice if you'd asked." But many _aren't_. And it annoys me to see people who should know better - actual scientists - treating them with altogether too much credulity. I suspect that the idea that birds actively seed bushfires falls into this category. But we'll see. As I say, I'd love to see actual proof of this behaviour. But I know which way I'd bet (see, gambling, I must be Australian ;) ).