Better be a Bonobo

a new idea about human relationships based not on religious morality but science and observation: sexuality, inspiration from some primate relatives

The Bonobos

 

Relatively recently it was discovered that what had been considered as a single species was in fact two: Chimpanzees and Bonobos. Both are our ‘primate’ relatives. Compared to chimps who they physically resemble the Bonobos behave in a much less competitive and aggressive way. Their society is generally female-dominated.

An American writer Audrey Schulman has written a novel Theory of Bastards based on laboratory research on a Bonobo group, a very significant book that could change our whole vision of what might be possible in human society.

IN A NUTSHELL

The Bonobos studied in this research project were in captivity and some critics think the importance of the Bonobo research for our primate society has been distorted for this reason. But the interesting counter point is that we human beings all live in captivity too, captives of our various societies and cultures.

Generally animals in a group situation become tense and excitable in the presence of food. The tendency is for competuion, hierarchy and aggression. Especially so if they are in a confined situation.

The Bonobos exhibit some ‘extraordinary’ behaviour to defuse the competition and aggression that would break out amongst chimpanzees for example at meal times

It’s hard to put in a polite way!

They all, young and old male and female, have sexual relations together in what for human primates would be a very random way. This puts them in a calm and pleasant mood and they proceed to eat together without conflict.

So these animals have found an evolutionary way out of the hell of competition,aggression ‘survival of the fittest/strongest that other prinates like the chimps and humans are stuck in…

REFERENCE: Theory of Bastards Audrey Schulman