Fun with array mapping

gistfile1.rb

class Array
  
  def method_missing(m, *args)
    map_elements(m, args) || super
  end
  
  def map_elements(m, *args)
    target_method = singular_of(m)
    new_array = map do |element|
      if element.respond_to?(target_method)
        if args.length > 0
          element.send(target_method)
        else
          element.send(target_method, args)
        end
      else
        nil
      end
    end
    return nil if new_array.compact.empty?
    new_array
  end
  
  def singular_of(m)
    begin
      # Hope that Rails is installed
      m.to_s.singularize
    rescue 
      # Poor man's attempt to singularize
      if m.to_s =~ /s$/
        m = m.to_s[0..-2]
      end
      m
    end
  end
end