[Tax-chick]

James cheered up once they got outside. We didn’t many mushrooms. I guess it hasn’t been warm enough since the rain.

I think it’s for the same reason cats make an effort to sit on any piece of paper on the ground: if it’s there, it must be important to you, and that means the cat is in the way, and that means the cat is better than you.

[Monkey Face]

My theory for why cats sit on squares/paper/boxes is that the paper/fiber/cellulose is an insulator, and since cats seem to associate warmth and comfort with boxes and paper, they will sit on anything that resembles a square shape.

But yes, the cats are much better than we are!

[Monkey Face]

James has always liked outside. It’s the “getting there” that he seems to balk at. I had a kid like that...she lives in CO now. ;o]

[Covenantor]

I think it’s for the same reason cats make an effort to sit on any piece of paper on the ground: if it’s there, it must be important to you, and that means the cat is in the way, and that means the cat is better than you.

You might be onto something the 'researchers' didn't consider in their conclusion.

Only nine of the thirty cats sat in the designated square and then no longer than 3 seconds.

One might conclude that 21 cats thought the tape was just a stupid human thing to do.

There is a strong possibilty the nine sitting cats are elite recon cats scouting anomalous human behavior and reporting telepathically to Cat Mothership Intel HQ. Three second squat told them all they needed to know. No report if any of the nine returned to the illisionary squares after the trial observation.

Have to wonder how the grant application read and how much was requested to finance SCIENCE.