Do other creatures have generational cycles?
Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2014 4:32 pm
It's a fascinating idea that popped in my head: are humans the only species that experiences an historical cycle? Ostensibly, I and most sociologists would probably say no, but it may be an interesting thing to study. On the one hand, only humans have the capacity for religious awakenings/secular wars, but on the other hand, there are many animals that demonstrate some complex forms of social or even political structures. (Think of the "colonies" created by ants and bees, or the "tribes" formed by chimpanzees, elephants, and whales).
Naturally, it would be very easy to experiment on such a theory. Unlike humans, most animals live for very short periods, and consequently are rather easy to observe in controlled environments. Take ants for example. Ants reach maturity around 3-4 weeks, and live to be about 3-4 months before dying. Therefore, our hypothesis would be that each "turning" for a colony of ants is about 25 days, and each "saeculum" is about 100 days. Close observation of ant colonies over several months should quickly yield whether the hypothesis is correct or not. I have no idea what that would come out as, though, being that biology is not my forte.
But, as I said before, it probably isn't true. Humans base their actions off of previous experience, and therefore are primarily affected by older generations. Animals, however, act entirely on instinct, and this behavior is exactly the same from one generation to the next.
Fascinating, isn't it?
Nathan G
Naturally, it would be very easy to experiment on such a theory. Unlike humans, most animals live for very short periods, and consequently are rather easy to observe in controlled environments. Take ants for example. Ants reach maturity around 3-4 weeks, and live to be about 3-4 months before dying. Therefore, our hypothesis would be that each "turning" for a colony of ants is about 25 days, and each "saeculum" is about 100 days. Close observation of ant colonies over several months should quickly yield whether the hypothesis is correct or not. I have no idea what that would come out as, though, being that biology is not my forte.
But, as I said before, it probably isn't true. Humans base their actions off of previous experience, and therefore are primarily affected by older generations. Animals, however, act entirely on instinct, and this behavior is exactly the same from one generation to the next.
Fascinating, isn't it?
Nathan G