Once upon a time I had a foolproof system for clearing a bedroom of mosquitoes. Close the door, turn on a light, stick the left arm out of the bedclothes, keep track of the mosquitoes by their whine, and then, as soon as one lands on the exposed skin, smack it with the right hand. After a few minutes, turn out the light, sleep tight. Used to work wonders.
The system doesn't work any more? Why? Because my antiquated ears no longer register high-pitched sounds. I can't hear mosquitoes until one of them pecks on my eardrum. I'm vulnerable to sneak attack.
It's bad: all mosquitoes are now stealth mosquitoes. It's good: I'll never again be troubled by that nasty whine.
Comments