M Kfivethousand
2021-10-06 00:16:26 UTC
“Chimp alpha males can be bullies, but an alpha can also be, says Frans de Waal, “the consoler in chief; the peacemaker.” They can protect underdogs, soothe and comfort distressed individuals, and create group coherence—more than anyone else. So there are two sides to alphas.
Ironically, then, the same obsession with status that causes so much strife creates the hierarchy that—most of the time—helps chimpanzees keep a lid on things. When you’re living in a close-knit group, strife happens. That’s not surprising, and so, in a way, that’s not important.
What’s important: that chimps have skills to deal with the inevitable strife. They come equipped with a sense of fairness, and they reconcile. Reconciliation, forgiveness—this is the path back from the brink. It’s what holds the center, creates peace when peace is needed, and maintains peace when peace is in jeopardy.
Liz goes back to Lotty and signals a big scratch. She wants to smooth things over after their earlier tiff over the piece of meat. They groom briefly, then play a bit. Touch heal”
Excerpt From
Becoming Wild
Carl Safina
Ironically, then, the same obsession with status that causes so much strife creates the hierarchy that—most of the time—helps chimpanzees keep a lid on things. When you’re living in a close-knit group, strife happens. That’s not surprising, and so, in a way, that’s not important.
What’s important: that chimps have skills to deal with the inevitable strife. They come equipped with a sense of fairness, and they reconcile. Reconciliation, forgiveness—this is the path back from the brink. It’s what holds the center, creates peace when peace is needed, and maintains peace when peace is in jeopardy.
Liz goes back to Lotty and signals a big scratch. She wants to smooth things over after their earlier tiff over the piece of meat. They groom briefly, then play a bit. Touch heal”
Excerpt From
Becoming Wild
Carl Safina