The Uncomfortable Predictions of Calhoun's Utopia Experiments

A series of 'utopia' experiments (the most famous being Universe 25) conducted on artificial mouse and rat populations by ethologist John B Calhoun monitored the effects of high density living in an enclosed space on the behavior and the psychology of the tenants. The results provide a fascinating glimpse into the emergent pathologies that come about from these circumstances, and perhaps a dark prediction for the future of humanity.

Paper 1: POPULATION DENSITY AND SOCIAL PATHOLOGY

Paper 2: Death Squared: The Explosive Growth and Demise of a Mouse Population

Music:
Just As Soon by Kevin MacLeod

Footage:
Free HD videos - no copyright

Tags: #Utopia #Calhoun #Experiment #RatUtopia #MouseUtopia #Universe25 #25 #rotatingRat #mouse #Mystery #Essay #Mysteries #Documentary #Ideas #Reading #Voiceover

[dimanarinull]

Probably the best overview of those experiments on YouTube, no bs biases, no shitty doom baiting, just explaining how it was done and enough of the results and conclusions.

[-schattenpflanze-]

I think thats whats happening now, especially through social media.

[wuldntuliktonoptb]

The whole western world is there now. Population is falling off, we can’t stand each other. We’re tearing our civilization apart. The age of decadence is here.

[stever]

It wasn't overpopulation that made the result. . It was comfort. Exactly why it's happening in the west amongst people. Comfort. Ability to get whatever one wants when they want it. You can be crowded, poor, struggle, and still thrive. But you can't be comfortable and survive.

[WarhammerWeekEndTimes]

really fantastic video, your editing is definitely getting better, can't wait for the next one!

[milowadlin]

This seems similar to something I read about a while back, though longer term, and more extensive. Have you ever read of Allee's Principle of Aggregation?

[RadioactuveToy]

I really like the way you presented this experiment. It really resonates with what I have been trying to tell people that we already have too many people, despite what the planet can sustain. Industrialization changed our social roles and we are at a point where many people are unable to find their place in society. Capitalism only further serves to have a select few living well, while everyone else is forced to compete for roles that are exploitive and are not satisfying. For a majority, there is no choice and the all the options are terrible.

[raezor]

Did they ever release more than a few seconds of footage?

[Earl_E_Burd]

Imagine living your entire life trapped in a cage. Perhaps that has an effect on behavior - living in captivity instead of mother nature.

[paisleysharp]

This is interesting I’m currently doing my own experiments with wild mice and domesticated mice down the road I will also add rats.

[sillysurgeon]

Wow, you've got an amazing voice.

[cherilynnfisher]

BSC, my life's work.
BSC/PHDS/8&3

[Kanfachan]

I believe that Calhoun came to the wrong conclusions about his own experiment. He attributed the cause of the population decline of his mice colonies to overcrowding; yet even in experiments where the mice were given ample territory to sustain a very large population density, there was still a decline in the overall mice population. I believe that the decline in the mice populations were assured at the very beginning of each experiment. The mice were provided with "unlimited resource" which they didn't need to strive for in order to attain. The human equivalent of which is the welfare state. When unearned resources are provided to humans/mice, the females of the species (in particular) begin to exhibit hostile behaviors towards the males, because they no longer require the males for their survival. This in turn leads to a gradual shunning of any meaningful interactions with females, by the males. Which further fuels the animosity of the females and leads to the males pulling away even more. Hence, the spiraling population declines that we see in most nations around the world.

[montypalmer]

A harsh life is expected by nature. Without struggle just to survive, sanity is so obscured that disaster becomes inescapable.

[cr]

The music is slowing

Which way Western man?

[booker]

Mickey Mouse Mind Engine set on cruise control

[Earl_E_Burd]

"Despite all my rage I am still just a rat in a cage"

[NathanBrown-zo]

I lack the courage to find attractive wife & marry without a shogun wedding.

[davidwestwater]

No it is not applicable to human beings we have plenty of room

[kamerondonaldson]

rat lebensraum. private land is one of the resources that thomas malthus should have accounted for.