The concept of the hive mind (the sci-fi variety) has interested me for some time. Specifically, as it pertains to humans in one of our societies on Earth, I often wonder: how would things be different? We as individuals would face a whole new set of challenges that I struggle to even imagine. So many of our daily activities, thoughts and conundrums exist because we don't know what another person is thinking. How can we get the client to like our pitch? Will my boss give me a raise? What is this car really worth, and what's the lowest price they'll give me? Is that gorgeous man interested in me or not? Those questions: wiped clean by the wrath of god. (Or, whatever. I will always make movie/TV references that you will not understand.) Indeed, there would be few questions at all. Would the question mark even be? Would we live life without the interrobang‽ It's hard to imagine what issues we would face, if we each as individuals knew everything without having to ask.

But I can tell you this. If turtles were able to communicate with each other through their minds, this would not happen:

House lights draw baby turtle to pool

Hatchling loggerhead sea turtles are blessed with much knowledge. That they even know to sand-paddle to the sea is an amazing feat of evolution. But if this poor pool-bound guy had a little help from his siblings' brain waves, well, he wouldn't have wound up swimming alongside floating lounge chairs with built in beverage holders. In conclusion: turtles do not have E.S.P.

Tune in again next Tuesday for a new installment of ... What if turtles had E.S.P.?