Maximeog93

A scientist tried to create an ideal society on earth. Check out what came of it..

In 1968, ethologist John Calhoun, working at the American National Institute of Mental Health, conducted an impressive study. He drew parallels between mouse and human society, trying to predict the future of humanity based on this comparison. For his experiment, Calhoun created a so-called "paradise" for white mice. In a laboratory setting, a square pen measuring 2 m by 2 m and 1.5 m high was constructed, from which the mice could not escape. The pen was maintained at a comfortable temperature, there was plenty of food and water, and nesting materials were constantly added. The rodents were under constant supervision of veterinarians who monitored their health. All necessary safety measures were taken: there were no predators or dangerous infections. The pen was cleaned once a week and kept perfectly clean. Thus, an ideal living space was created for the mice. The scientist described his design as a "mouse utopia" and called the experiment "Universe-25". The pen could accommodate up to 3,840 mice, but the maximum population during the experiment reached 2,200 individuals, after which it only decreased.

When everything was ready, 4 pairs were released into the "paradise" for mice. From this moment, stage A began - the period of adaptation. After 55 days, the mice began to reproduce. From the moment the first cubs appeared, phase B began. Every 55 days, the number of rodents doubled. After 315 days, the reproduction rate decreased, and the population doubled every 145 days - phase C. At this stage, there was much less space in the pen, and the number of mice exceeded 600. They developed their own hierarchy and a certain social life.

1) A caste of "outcasts" appeared, consisting mainly of young animals, who found themselves in the center and were constantly subjected to aggression. This happened because, under ideal conditions, the enclosure was overcrowded, and the aging generations did not make room for the young. They mainly attacked young rodents that had bitten tails and torn out fur. After being expelled, the males lost their psychological stability and refused to protect their pregnant females.

2) The females became more aggressive, since they had to protect their offspring on their own. Soon, their aggression began to be directed at their own cubs, which they killed, trying to move to the upper nests, becoming hermits and refusing to reproduce.

As a result, the birth rate fell, and the mortality rate of the young reached high levels. Stage D arrived - the death of the mouse paradise. At this stage, a new category of mice appeared - "beautiful".

3) "Beautiful" mice were those that exhibited behavior abnormal for their species. They did not fight for females and territory, and showed no interest in reproduction. They only ate, drank, slept and groomed themselves.

Eventually, the "beautiful" and hermit females became the majority of the population. The average lifespan of mice was 776 days, which is 200 days longer than the reproductive age. In the last phase of the "mouse paradise", zero pregnancies were recorded. Deviant behavior led to the development of homosexuality in mice. In addition, despite the abundance of food, cannibalism flourished in the community. The population died out, and on the 1780th day of the experiment, the last inhabitant of the "mouse paradise" died. The mouse society self-destructed. Paradise became hell.

The experiment was called "Universe-25", since it was the 25th (last) attempt to create a mouse paradise, the result of which was the same as all the previous ones.

Thus, using the example of mouse society, the scientist was able to trace the behavior of "society" in conditions of a comfortable life. It is not difficult to draw a direct analogy with people. Here is an example of lumpen, single mothers, domestic violence, groundless aggression, lazy citizens, sodomy and social survival.