Well, here we are again with my favorite aphorism: “It’s the assumptions you don’t know you’re making that do you the most harm.”

That gem was distilled down from a whole paragraph that Douglas Adams (usually more succinct when it came to brilliant observation) wrote in his book “Last Chance To See”. I don’t know if the book is still in print. But if you find any in a book store, buy a few of them. Read one of them, and then you’ll be glad to have the others to loan and give as gifts. That’s my advice. The book’s a little dated. Some of the creatures that Douglas and Mark Carwardine went to see are no longer extant- White Rhinos, for instance. Yangtse Dolphins for another. But the point remains that the book is entertaining, informative and as with any of Douglas Adams’ writing- hilarious.