Reacting to this week's story of divers stranded on a Southeast Asian island, a number of commenters focused on an aspect of the story I know a little bit about. So here are my responses to those of you who alluded to that, uh, incident. They're worth exactly what you're paying for them.

If only the hapless Phil Bronstein, victim of a savage Komodo Dragon mauling, had had a large, forked stick available for self defense. We have much to learn from the humble island natives. -- atle

Possibly a magic stick. With an explosive tip. Forked stick, forked tongue. Maybe I should have had better cutlery. The unfortunate thing for me was that the lesson part comes before the learning part. And that's humbling whether you're an islander or an editor.

Advice from Phil Bronstein: "Watch your toes!" -- dreamsmyth

Actually, Dreamsmyth, just watching probably won't help. I'd say try: negotiation, compromise, begging, and then running, in that order. Unless you have a big bore weapon. Better yet, just don't show up anywhere these beasts live, captive or not. Also, if you get mauled and survive, see if you can talk Jay Leno out of telling a string of jokes about it at your expense on national TV.

This blog originally appeared on sfgate.com. To read the rest, click here.