Dammit, you just traumatised my pet rat Albie - he was sitting on my
shoulder and I didn't have time to cover his little pink eyes! Be more
considerate - he is a lab survivor after all.
AndrewF
(Obesity is a feature of the alpha male? Hmmmm)
>Interesting you mentioned rats, Tris.
>
>A college professor I studied under was studying the effects of Cesium on
>mammals and had a number of rats in cages. An interesting side study
>developed on the behavior of the rats as a function of the number of rats
>in a cage. Seems to fit our present situation in terms of urban dwelling
>and overcrowding. Some of the more interesting behavior changes were
>obesity in the dominant rat, aggressiveness and cannibalism.
>
>Gregg
>
>
>>I'm sure it has to do with sense of low self-esteem and feelings of
>>insecurity. I don't know much about it and I'd be interested in taking a
>>psychology class on the topic.
>>
>>I think this tendency has always existed, and I think it's becoming more
>>and more prevalent as we roll along. For sure it manifests itself faster
>>(and more obviously) on the Net in forums where normal behavioral
>>etiquette need not be observed as closely--a lack of direct peer pressure,
>>lack of an ability for the person you confront to look you in the eye,
>>possibly punch you in the eye . . . .
>>
>>
>>The simplistic reason for why this is getting worse: rats in a cage, too
>>much stress, etc.
>
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