16 Jul 2010

A CHIMPANZEE OR A BONOBO?

Men can be likened to two types of apes - aggressive chimps and peace-loving BONOBOS, scientists have suggested.
Researchers have discovered that the way men's bodies react to competition varies just like those of their closest cousins.
Whereas 'status-striving' men tend to produce the macho hormone testosterone when challenged - which mirrors chimpanzees - laid-back men produce cortisol, nicknamed the cuddle compound, in the same way as bonobos.
Chimpanzees live in male-dominated societies where status is paramount{Whereas} among the more tolerant bonobos, a female is always dominant. - the Daily Telegraph.

Most certainly chimpanzees are these next two examples.

A man held his mother hostage at gunpoint for six hours as she wouldn't do his ironing.
Robert Edward Tyrrell Jr, 29, told her "Ironing is woman's work."
He then refused to let Billie Jo, 51, leave the house for six hours - but she escaped with a spare key and went to the police.
Robert was charged with aggravated assault and false imprisonment and remanded in custody. - the Sunday Sun.

A burglar made the wong choice when he broke into the home of a 20-stone amateur wrestler.
Lee Christie, 38, was held in a headlock by Adam Kalinowski, 37, after he was caught trying to steal a laptop computer.
Mr Kalinowski, a factory worker with one son, floored the intruder and held him until the police arived.
Christie, who is 6ft 2 inches tall, with a solid build like a rugby player, was left in tears as he struggled to free himself.
He was reduced to pleading mournfully "Leave me alone."
After the hearing {in which Christie was sentenced to two years in prison} Mr Kalinowski, a factory worker, said "I come home from work and the door is broken.
"I see the man. I mean this guy is big and I do not know what he is doing there or what was in the bag. Maybe a knife?
"Maybe it was the adrenilin {testosterone even?} but I was not scared because this is my house, my castle as you say in England." - the Daily Telegraph. (See the Mail Online's article by clicking HERE.)

Funny how I've only just discovered what a bonobo is and now here is another blog site with a story about them. Thanks to Grandmere over at WOUNDED BIRD, we have another not so nice, though equally laid-back side to bonobo:-

First off, chimps aren't "our closest primate cousin," though you'll need a sharp eye to find any mention of our other, equally intimately related cousin, the bonobo in most of these "news" stories. Like a crazy relative who lives in a shed out back, bonobos tend to get mentioned in passing-if at all-in these sweeping declarations about the ancient primate roots of war. There are plenty of reasons self-respecting journalists might want to avoid talking about bonobos (their penchant for mutual masturbation, their unapologetic homosexuality and incest, a general sense of hippie-like shamelessness pervading bonobo social life), but the biggest inconvenience is the utter absence of any Viking-like behavior ever observed among bonobos. Bonobos never rape or pillage. No war. No murder. No infanticide. (Click HERE for full post.)

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love the irony of the first story. What an entertaining post. Thanks for this.

All the best, Boonsong

Jessica said...

I am fasinated by Bonobos. I was lucky enough to see a group in San Dieago zoo once and I watched the group get up to all kinds of naughtness. People didnt know where to look and were taking their kids aways. Unfortunately I also felt quite disturbed by them being there, not because of what they were doing but because of their ovious intelligence.

SG said...

Very interesting post. Mr. Kalinowski’s act proves the old phrase “the man will rise to the occasion”.

Bonobos should not be looked down. In their community, sexual acts are a common means of greeting, resolving conflicts, or reconciling after conflicts.

Karen said...

That was fascinating....seriously.

Thanks for putting our button up! Hope to have more details for the challenge to post soon!

Alyce said...

I hadn't really known anything about Bonobos until I saw a book called Bonobo Handshake about a week ago and read a bit about them in the book description.

Betty Manousos said...

Interesting! I've never heard about Bonobos. Thanks for sharing, Tracy.
Congrats on 100!
Bear hug!
B xx

Gabrielle said...

Haha! I really love your Bible quote at the top of your blog!

<3 <3
Gabrielle

Shawn said...

Geez I feel like I learned about myself. Great post!
Mr Monkey

Jenners said...

I think I'm married to a bonoboo.

tattytiara said...

The bonobo's a great species to point to when anybody insists ours is the most evolved then.

Dorte H said...

I must remember to check the owner of the house carefully, before I break in ... (oh, I didn´t say that ;O) Well, it may be a handy scene to remember in a cozy mystery.

Oddyoddyo13 said...

The first part of that post was so hilarious! Loved the comparisons. :)

Kelly said...

Geez.... I'm glad my son has never asked me to do his ironing (which I would probably refuse to do).