November 27, 2001

1:50 PM

Cool high-school science experiment: Mapping The Homunculus. The 15 year old in me wonders why nipples and other naughty bits aren't mentioned, though. Bet they'd be really big!!!
posted by luser (8 comments total)

Yeah, I'm reminded of a drawing in the science books of a person with huge lips, hands, and feet. They never had any huge nips or genitalia.

Most people drew them in though.
posted by hellinskira at 2:05 PM on November 27, 2001

LIke this.

posted by luser at 2:07 PM on November 27, 2001

No blue balls?
posted by hellinskira at 2:08 PM on November 27, 2001

since everyone is done in here I just thought I'd say that "mapping the homunculus" sounds a lot like a high-brow masturbation euphemism.
posted by Kafkaesque at 4:42 PM on November 27, 2001

I thought the Homounculus was the concept that was perpetuated by the catholic church in the 1700's, after the invention of the microscope, that the human body was fully formed in a tiny state when conception happened... which is the root of the anti-abortion sentiments in the religious community.

At least, that's what my historical philosophy professor said.
posted by SpecialK at 6:38 PM on November 27, 2001

And I actually thought the homunculus was a golem-like thingy you made using sperm and hair. And maybe some frozen yoghurt if some is handy.

Faust featured one if my memory doesn't fail me.
posted by Kafkaesque at 7:29 PM on November 27, 2001

It's also an ancient metaphor for consciousness -- the homunculus is a little man who sits in the mind and controls the person. Here's an encompassing definition.
posted by skyline at 7:38 PM on November 27, 2001

Pfft...nowhere near as cool as quasits.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 9:47 PM on November 27, 2001