"There are one hundred and ninety-three living species of monkeys and apes. One hundred and ninety-two of them are covered with hair. The exception is a naked ape self-named Homo sapiens." Zoologist Desmond Morris launched something of a revolution with those words and the book in which they are found, The Naked Ape.

Written almost forty years ago, The Naked Ape represented a catalyst for the reorientation of the modern mind. Morris attempted to analyze human behavior in terms of animal behavior--placing humans in their place as just one more species of ape. Morris' "naked ape" represented the distillation of a revolution in how human beings have seen themselves. Darwin's revolution in human thought meant the redefinition of human nature. Human beings were displaced as creatures specially made by God and uniquely bearing God's image. Instead, they were reduced to the status of highly-developed apes.

All this comes to mind in light of recent news reports out of London. It seems that the London Zoo has decided to develop a new exhibit--putting human beings on display with the rest of the animal kingdom.

According to news reports, the human "captives" in "The Human Zoo" exhibit at the London Zoo are identified by a sign that reads, "Warning: Humans in their Natural Environment."

The London Zoo's Web site identifies "The Human Zoo" in these terms: "The four day event aims to demonstrate the basic nature of man as an animal and exhibit the impact that Homo sapiens have on the rest of the animal kingdom."

The humans are exhibited as part of the zoo's "Bear Mountain" landscape, separated from the apes by an electronic fence and other security devices. The security concerns presumably came from the humans -- not from the apes.

The exhibit, scheduled to run for several days, attracted the interest of several volunteers. Wearing minimal coverings, the humans are involved in various activities, playing games and interacting with the crowd.

Evidently, the exhibit has been a crowd pleaser. As the Associated Press reports, "The captives in the human zoo exhibit sunned themselves on a rock ledge, clad in bathing suits and pinned-on fig leaves. Some played with hula hoops, some waved. A signboard informed visitors about the species' diet, habitat, worldwide distribution and threats."

Observing the scene, several children asked, "Why are there people in there?" Polly Wills, spokeswoman for the London Zoo, was ready with an answer. "Seeing people in a different environment, among other animals . . . teaches members of the public that the human is just another primate." She admitted that some zoo visitors might see the exhibit as just a way to "have a gawk at people," but she clearly has a larger purpose behind the display. She wants to redefine what it means to be human.

The three men and five women featured in the display were chosen from thirty applicants. Some clearly see the whole exercise as a means of having fun. Actor Brendan Carr, 25, submitted a poem with his application. "I'm funky like a monkey and cool as a cat, talk more than a parrot, up all night like a bat." It seems that the poem was enough to earn Carr his spot.