Yesterday’s post and Alan’s comment about bullies reminded me of Robert Sapolsky’s study of baboons.
The video says the haunting question from Sapolsky’s work is,
Are we brave enough to learn from a baboon?
I disagree. I’m afraid the lesson is,
If you want to create a harmonious society, you need to kill off the alpha males.
Maybe it’s best not to generalize to humans.
February 27, 2014
Kill off all the aplpha males? Surely that is an extreme solution to a local problem?
It”s not a local problem. Alpha males are EVERYWHERE.
I agree with bikehikebabe. Do you not notice when you read all your newspapers? Do you think Assad is a local problem?
What an absolutely great and interesting video! Thanks for sharing that. I watch a lot of those type videos but I sure missed that one somewhere along the way.
I am reminded of the commercial, don’t recall for what, where a person does something nice for someone and then a short time later that person does the same for someone else and it just continues on down the line. That is pretty much how it works sometimes and just imagine how enjoyable it would be getting out on the roads in our automobiles or going shopping and exercising the art of courtesy rather than one of dominance.
I do think, unlike a Baboon troupe, that in the human race there are both alpha males and females, all residing in their own little social circles and more than willing to project their dominance on others such as those who would dare to venture near with different views, etc..
I agree, it’s not just alpha males — females do it too. About cooperating and passing it on — I still remember almost 50 years ago when there was a lot of traffic at a four-way stop sign. People were taking their turns and I was having warm feelings about it. Then when it was my turn a fellow ignored it and went sailing through, smiling smugly at me. Unfortunately, there are a lot more people like him in the world. I think it’s sad.
If you see any more videos like Sapolsky’s, please let me know. I do have another one by him, but it’s 55 minutes before the Q and A. I’ll probably mention it in a future post. I’ve read some of his books, my favorite being A Primate’s Memoir: A Neuroscientist’s Unconventional Life Among the Baboons. I love the guy because he doesn’t puff himself up. Here’s a picture of him from a Stanford News article
It would be nice if we could kill off the alpha males. 😀 Of all the TV scenes of throngs fighting in the streets, have you ever noticed one female. ——-NO
fascinating.
i like his voice. his correlations and final assumption.
wouldn’t it be nice if it could be with us also ‘in one generation.’
i don’t think we’ll ever be able to kill off all the alpha males. i just wish they would do the job for us and kill each other off.
the problem is… all their collateral damage in doing so. they weary me.
with their violence and their screaming yelling anger and strutting with guns. so silly.
they look like baboons.
wait. no.
that’s an insult to the baboon.
LOL 😀 But let’s get serious. Alpha males are a worldwide problem.
Let’s be fair, Alan’s right, it’s not just males. Years ago, before Banshee died, we were visiting Kaitlin and Torben. Sammy was having a great time off to one side, working on one of the big bones we had bought them. It warmed my heart to see him so happy. But then he starting whining — Banshee, who a few minutes before was content to lie down close to us, was staring at him. She was about to assert her authority. That’s life — the part that makes me sad. 😥 And, no, I’m not going to take a Tylenol.
Then there’s Queen Natasha the Evil over at The Thundering Herd.
What utter and unbelievable tosh. Of course we need alpha males. Otherwise nothing would ever get done. No field ploughed, few babies born. I wish people would leave nature’s law to itself.
U
😉