Pathos

During the examination, FZL marveled. Staring at the park ranger they had beamed up in the middle of his patrol on the forest pass, the aliens observed that the human brain was, indeed, the approximate size of two fists held together, while the heart was only one. "And yet," FZL commented while making careful notations on the scan, "it is the smaller organ that is the focus of so much controversy." "Speak further on this topic," LRK requested. "It is this circulatory and oxygenation chest unit that serves as the focus for so many of Earth's works of art, born of reflection upon its ability to also ooze pathos," FZL summarized. "Is the unit oozing now?" LRK inquired (and they leaned forward). "Interesting," FZL remarked, making more notations. "It seems impossible to tell." "We must authorize quarantine procedures for this unseen variable," LRK stated flatly. "Agreed," FZL said, and remained at its station while protective measures were taken, tempted to poke the subject's brain and somehow ascertain why it was less compelling overall.