The Mouse Utopia Experiment: The Controversial History of the Experiment that Predicted the Collapse of Human Society
Author:
Genre: History
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genre: History
Book Type: Paperback
This is a fascinating story about John Calhoun's experiments with rats, which he used to extrapolate the collapse of human society. In 1968, this biologist sought a better way to kill rats in large towns and cities. The poisons were detrimental to humans, and they needed a better way to eradicate rodents.
The results of the experiments (Calhoun did dozens of them) are remarkable. Even though there was ample food, habitat, and water, the mice reached a certain number and then started to decline until all the rats died. The things extrapolated about humans have been disproved now, but they significantly affected attitudes at the time.
Even though these tests concluded years ago, their findings continue to shape our understanding of human behavior and societies. The Chinese government, for instance, implemented a 'one-child policy' to control population growth, a decision influenced by Calhoun's work. However, the unintended consequence of this policy, the significant gender imbalance, serves as a stark reminder of the real-world impact of such research.
I found this book to be well worth my time. The experiments were explained well, showing how science used these experiments to change policies. However, most of human psychology has been disputed and discarded now.
The results of the experiments (Calhoun did dozens of them) are remarkable. Even though there was ample food, habitat, and water, the mice reached a certain number and then started to decline until all the rats died. The things extrapolated about humans have been disproved now, but they significantly affected attitudes at the time.
Even though these tests concluded years ago, their findings continue to shape our understanding of human behavior and societies. The Chinese government, for instance, implemented a 'one-child policy' to control population growth, a decision influenced by Calhoun's work. However, the unintended consequence of this policy, the significant gender imbalance, serves as a stark reminder of the real-world impact of such research.
I found this book to be well worth my time. The experiments were explained well, showing how science used these experiments to change policies. However, most of human psychology has been disputed and discarded now.
