I probably fall under one of those beautiful rats. I'm just off grid, chillin.
The "Universe 25" experiment ranks among the most chilling scientific studies ever conducted, using a mouse colony to shed light on human societal dynamics.
Researchers set up an ideal habitat for a group of rats, complete with plentiful food, water, nesting supplies, and generous space for roaming and interacting.
At first, the rats flourished, their population surging quickly. But as their numbers swelled, social issues cropped up. The rats grew more hostile, possessive of territory, and withdrawn.
Male rats displayed rising aggression, which drove females to hide and to a waning interest in reproduction. Birth rates plummeted while death rates among younger rats climbed.
Then emerged a peculiar group of male rats dubbed the "beautiful mice." These males shunned mating with females and avoided territorial disputes, focusing solely on eating and resting. Eventually, these "beautiful males" alongside reclusive females dominated the population.
Over time, juvenile deaths hit 100%, and breeding dropped to nothing. Among the struggling survivors, same-sex pairings appeared, and cannibalism spikedβeven with food still abundant.
John Calhoun ran this experiment 25 more times, and the outcome never changed.
