The Bonobo factor
Political intransigence explained..............
The Bonobo Factor: Is this a possible explanation for the increasingly
defined political schisms, experienced in the American political
conflict. Left vs Right?
I closely observe and always with great fascination, the ongoing and
seemingly never ending American electoral 'circus'. With passing time
I have become ever more constantly amazed, at the evenly split and
seemingly intransigent divisions, between the opposing ideologies of
the participating parties.
Each side seems to express, and are entrenched in their opinions as to
completely differing and opposite viewpoints, about how life and
community should be managed and lived!
That such an abyss has appeared and grown wider with time, between the
belief systems of the Right and the Left, during this process over
time, has led me to the only conclusion that seems to make any sense
at all? That the two almost equally divided parties are actually not
part of a common species!
In other words are we in the process of observing a truly historic and
actual dividing or splitting, of what was once a common people or
species? An analysts dream come true.
Doing research into this matter, I found that there is actual
historical and modern evidence that supports that such "species
splitting" has actually occurred, and quite often, along the
evolutionary path of earths creatures.
Equally to my surprise, I found that it had occurred and not that long
ago in real time, in that very species of great apes with whom
humankind has most in common. At least on a social and biomedical
basis, as we actually share some 99% of the same DNA factors with,
believe it or not....The Chimpanzee species!
Apparently a splitting of that species, into two distinct societies of
the same family, occurred some 1.5 million years ago. One segment
became known as the 'Bonobo' Chimpanzee and the other more familiarly
known as simply the 'Chimpanzee'. The traits of these two now distinct
species, has been studied and surprise, surprise, they developed their
own unique viewpoints, about how to get along in life and how to in
essence, do "community"!
The simple Chimpanzee remained and developed the more aggressive
reputation of the two. Lacking in any altruistic talents and treating
it's Chimpanzee neighbors and other Ape tribes as enemies, who were to
be attacked and whose territories were to be conquered. The tribal
instincts of a male dominated class system were maintained, as was the
submissive role of females and youths to the adult alpha males.
The 'Bonobo' on the other hand, are actually renowned for their more
peaceful and altruistic natures. Apparently preferring intimacy as a
tool for settling differences within their own clan, as well as with
neighboring clans. The female becoming the central focus of family
within the group of this now entirely separate species.
I am therefore convinced that the 'Bonobo' in this historical dynamic,
has much in common with that modern 'human' Ape, that espouses what
are known as 'left wing' or the more decidedly altruistic tendencies
of the modern Democrat. The moral codes of the Bonobo species are also
more akin to a " live and let live" ethos. Which is certainly more
recognizable in the human left leaning ideological beliefs.
While the more simple ' Chimpanzee ' clings to the vitriolic and right
sided male dominated ' winner takes all ' or 'only the strong will
survive' methodology, of the more seemingly aggressive natured human,
and certainly a more common trait in the current ideologies of the
American right, or the G.O.P. as they are known.
I am not quite sure as to where this may lead. But perhaps it is time
to have the politicos begin to debate, that agreement between two such
"distinct species", with such constantly differing viewpoints on
almost every issue, should lead to 'our going our separate paths', as
did the Bonobo and the Chimp?
I believe it would take a series of referendums to decide the
territorial aspects of such an outcome. But once the decision has been
reached, that no compromise is ever available, and that we are simply
condemned to agree to disagree at every turn, or to live in a constant
state of 'impasse" as we have currently! Therefore should we not now
move forward and away from each other. Seems logical don't you think?
At least it did for the animal species that we belong to.
The territorial matter for the Bonobo and the Chimp was decided
apparently 1.5 million years ago, by a natural event, which split them
apart from each other, without choice playing any role
whatsoever............. We should be so lucky!.
The current stalemate 'politics as usual' in the U.S. will certainly
not solve this problem............ or any other apparently? Meanwhile
the world waits and it's economies stumble along!
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hannukah, Swansee etc etc
etc .....
James M. Convey
Political intransigence explained..............
The Bonobo Factor: Is this a possible explanation for the increasingly
defined political schisms, experienced in the American political
conflict. Left vs Right?
I closely observe and always with great fascination, the ongoing and
seemingly never ending American electoral 'circus'. With passing time
I have become ever more constantly amazed, at the evenly split and
seemingly intransigent divisions, between the opposing ideologies of
the participating parties.
Each side seems to express, and are entrenched in their opinions as to
completely differing and opposite viewpoints, about how life and
community should be managed and lived!
That such an abyss has appeared and grown wider with time, between the
belief systems of the Right and the Left, during this process over
time, has led me to the only conclusion that seems to make any sense
at all? That the two almost equally divided parties are actually not
part of a common species!
In other words are we in the process of observing a truly historic and
actual dividing or splitting, of what was once a common people or
species? An analysts dream come true.
Doing research into this matter, I found that there is actual
historical and modern evidence that supports that such "species
splitting" has actually occurred, and quite often, along the
evolutionary path of earths creatures.
Equally to my surprise, I found that it had occurred and not that long
ago in real time, in that very species of great apes with whom
humankind has most in common. At least on a social and biomedical
basis, as we actually share some 99% of the same DNA factors with,
believe it or not....The Chimpanzee species!
Apparently a splitting of that species, into two distinct societies of
the same family, occurred some 1.5 million years ago. One segment
became known as the 'Bonobo' Chimpanzee and the other more familiarly
known as simply the 'Chimpanzee'. The traits of these two now distinct
species, has been studied and surprise, surprise, they developed their
own unique viewpoints, about how to get along in life and how to in
essence, do "community"!
The simple Chimpanzee remained and developed the more aggressive
reputation of the two. Lacking in any altruistic talents and treating
it's Chimpanzee neighbors and other Ape tribes as enemies, who were to
be attacked and whose territories were to be conquered. The tribal
instincts of a male dominated class system were maintained, as was the
submissive role of females and youths to the adult alpha males.
The 'Bonobo' on the other hand, are actually renowned for their more
peaceful and altruistic natures. Apparently preferring intimacy as a
tool for settling differences within their own clan, as well as with
neighboring clans. The female becoming the central focus of family
within the group of this now entirely separate species.
I am therefore convinced that the 'Bonobo' in this historical dynamic,
has much in common with that modern 'human' Ape, that espouses what
are known as 'left wing' or the more decidedly altruistic tendencies
of the modern Democrat. The moral codes of the Bonobo species are also
more akin to a " live and let live" ethos. Which is certainly more
recognizable in the human left leaning ideological beliefs.
While the more simple ' Chimpanzee ' clings to the vitriolic and right
sided male dominated ' winner takes all ' or 'only the strong will
survive' methodology, of the more seemingly aggressive natured human,
and certainly a more common trait in the current ideologies of the
American right, or the G.O.P. as they are known.
I am not quite sure as to where this may lead. But perhaps it is time
to have the politicos begin to debate, that agreement between two such
"distinct species", with such constantly differing viewpoints on
almost every issue, should lead to 'our going our separate paths', as
did the Bonobo and the Chimp?
I believe it would take a series of referendums to decide the
territorial aspects of such an outcome. But once the decision has been
reached, that no compromise is ever available, and that we are simply
condemned to agree to disagree at every turn, or to live in a constant
state of 'impasse" as we have currently! Therefore should we not now
move forward and away from each other. Seems logical don't you think?
At least it did for the animal species that we belong to.
The territorial matter for the Bonobo and the Chimp was decided
apparently 1.5 million years ago, by a natural event, which split them
apart from each other, without choice playing any role
whatsoever............. We should be so lucky!.
The current stalemate 'politics as usual' in the U.S. will certainly
not solve this problem............ or any other apparently? Meanwhile
the world waits and it's economies stumble along!
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hannukah, Swansee etc etc
etc .....
James M. Convey
