The other day, I came across the article below about a study at King’s College London (KCL) about the benefits of coming into contact with birds and birdsong. According to this serious study, coming into contact with birds and ‘birdy’ environments has beneficial impacts on mental well-being and providing serenity. The results were published in a scientific journal, and included recommendations/conclusions such as «we need to create and support environments, particularly urban environments, where bird life is a constant feature.»
Now, I have all the respect for KCL, and their researchers and professors, but frankly did we need such a trivial study and conclusion? Do we not know that proximity with animals and nature brings serenity and therefore, mental well-being to people, especially urban dwellers? And why do you think the cities have tried to have gardens, bird sanctuaries, and zoos near big cities?
On the other hand, there is an irony in this situation! You see, the study confirms birds and birdsong bring mental well-being, but our common everyday English language uses the expression «he is or he has gone coocoo» to signal that he has gone mental, the exact opposite of what the study has shown. I guess after all, the conclusions of the study are not so obvious in the common English language, and that is one flaw over the cuckoo’s nest!!
Paris, November 3, 2022
Zeejay