Thus Spake the Dolphins

Seven dolphins broke the water’s surface in perfect unison. And while they took turns speaking, yet they spoke in one voice.

"We have carefully researched the DATA in an effort to reveal the core issues, which we now understand to be the breaching of ancient WEarth taboos, resulting in diminishment and destruction of ancestral territories, and the disappearance of numerous Wild populations.

"We are pleased to explain.

"From birth to mating to death, all life revolves around balances in flux; any perfectly balanced linearity is sterile and static and will not hold. Every Wild creature honors both the Laws of Symmetry and the congruent Laws of Broken Symmetry laid down at the Beginning, all of which are the same and not the same.

"One of the Laws of Broken Symmetry, featuring the Right Angle Taboo, clearly states that uncontrolled proliferation of rectangles inhibits the subtle deviations necessary to perpetuate the revolutions of infinity. Pi is key to these Dimensional Permutations, but--and this is a critical point--the parallel and opposing linear relationships within rectangles leave Pi open and unfixed, thus circumscribing the the proper unfolding of the Temporal Spiral.”

The audience fixed its multitude of eyes and ears on the seven sleek sisters and nodded in unison. Of course, few of them comprehended the sterility of perfectly balanced linearities, or the importance of the proper unfolding of the Temporal Spiral--Wilds think what they think and do what they do because mostly, well, because it just seems best that way. But the dolphins’ message entered them as music--a euphonic song, a melody weaving together heart and mind that would play again and again in every Wild mind until its uncanny tune was as familiar as the sweet smell of home.

"Without the Spiral’s tempering curves,” continued the Seven Sisters, “Future, youngest and least wise progeny of Time, throws off bonds to Past and Present, speeding ahead in great leaping linear strides, stretching straight and thin as the horizon is breached.

"The drive of his pointed path causes Abundance, who functions best within the firm and fitting placement of Now, to be pierced and pulled asunder. Her profound roundness cracks and quakes. Torn and shattered, she makes preparations to leave the Sacred Sphere lest Future’s unsettling movements cause her to turn in upon herself, creating catastrophic and universal temporal splits. Until Future returns to a more fitting place and pace, Abundance will continue these dire preparations to flee, gathering together more and more earthly fragments to take with her as she goes. We and others of the Sea Mammal Consortium may depart with her. Many whales and dolphins have left already.

"For what Abundance leaves behind will not long sustain us."
Their speech over, the seven sisters executed in perfect unison a curving leap backwards into the still blue water. The animals were awed by the Sister’s performance, but even the most dumbstruck among their numbers deduced one thing from the Dolphins’ speech: things were getting worse.

“Thank you, Sister Dolphins, for your succinct summation of the DATA,” said Madame President graciously. “Mr. Elephant, who will be the first to report on Conditions?”
“Madame President, that would be the Long-Arms. We will now hear from Man-Monkey, representing the Tree-Top Clan of Long-Arm Research Division Two in the Ape and Monkey Association (AaMA).