Nataliia Bohdanova

·

“Universe 25” was an experiment orchestrated by American ethologist John Calhoun, aiming to provide mice with a utopia. They were provided with boundless food supplies, no chance of disease or predators, and optimal living temperatures. Yet, the seemingly perfect conditions couldn’t prevent the eventual mass extinction.

The Rationale for the Mice

Calhoun preferred using rodents for experimental purposes, with a larger ambition of forecasting how human society might evolve. Rodents share genetic makeup with humans and on many levels equivalent in terms of their physical traits and biological processes. Interestingly, they are second only to humans in possessing the capability for abstract thought.

A Man-Made “Eden”

In 1972, working alongside the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Calhoun curated his most accredited experiment. He set up an inescapable enclosure measuring 2×2 square meters and stood 1.5 meters tall. The enclosure’s temperature averaged around +20 degrees Celsius, food and water were plentiful, and special burrows were constructed exclusively for females.

High levels of cleanliness were achieved throughout this habitat and utmost safety was maintained by excluding predators and infections entirely from this scenario. Skilled medical professionals kept track of each mouse’s health status while the feeding structure allowed approximately 9,500 mice to feed concurrently — quenching thirst became no problem for nearly 6,144 mice at once. Space was ample; only if the population shot beyond 3,840 would housing pose a problem; however, the population peaked at a mere 2,200 mice.

Phase One & Two: Swift Increase in Population

Four pairs of healthy mice were placed into the tank, denoting the commencement of the experiment. They quickly acclimated and began reproducing — an event Calhoun dubbed Phase A.

The first generation of offspring led up to Phase B — characterized by speedy population growth. Under congenial conditions, the population doubled every 55 days until day 315 when this rapid growth slowed — the population now doubled every 145 days. At the launch of Phase C, the population hit around 600 and a unique social ranking system began its formation.

Appearance of the “Outcasts”

With time, certain mice became “outcasts,” forced into the center of the tank where aggressive behavior was often exhibited. These mice stood out with their bitten tails, bare spots, and injuries.

The ousted males lost motivation to protect females or contribute towards any societal roles. Occasionally attacking other “outcasts” or random mice was noted from them. Pregnant females sank into anxious states fueled by this lack of protection, eventually showing hostility towards others including their own newborns. Females even committed destructive acts against their offspring before choosing to isolate themselves entirely and cease reproduction.

This extreme behavior caused birth rate to stoop and mortality rate amongst juveniles to shoot up drastically.

The Death Stage: The Rise of the “Beautiful Ones”

In Phase D — the terminal phase as per Calhoun’s sentiments — the “beautiful ones” surfaced as a new category of rodents.

This group avoided contact at all costs, showed no desire for competition regarding females or space and exhibited no investment in reproduction. Their lives centered solely around eating, resting, self-grooming and appeared immaculate as compared to typical scars and wounds borne by others.

Despite plentiful resources around them, these rodents acted oddly aggressive even resorting to cannibalism while food lay around aplenty. High levels of juvenile deaths, plummeting birth rates and absence of pregnancies led to the eventual downfall of the colony.

Humans: A Similar Tale?

Upon inquiring about the rise of these “beautiful ones,” Calhoun drew a parallel with human society. He hypothesized that overcoming obstacles is inherent to humanity, and avoiding confrontations stunts behavioral complexity, making one lethargic and limiting personal development.

Calhoun spotted patterns in his findings that resonated with individuals in contemporary society — those who prefer repetitive routines, lose creativity over time, and dodge stressful situations. He argued that such escape from difficulties, pursuit of endless comfort, and evasion of stressors trigger the “spirit’s demise,” followed by physical decay.

The Naming of “Universe 25”

The experiment earned its name as “Universe 25” because it was Calhoun’s twenty-fifth attempt at providing a paradise for mice. Each attempt yielded the same outcome — an entire population was eliminated.

Conclusions: A Warning for Society

The “Universe 25” experiment was not just a study of rodent behavior; it served as a cautionary tale for humanity. It demonstrated that abundant resources, the absence of threats, and complete comfort do not guarantee prosperity. On the contrary, a lack of challenges and social roles leads to decline, loss of motivation for life, and, ultimately, societal collapse.