Road rage v. genetics
Turns out it’s not guns that cause road rage, but genetics and evolution:
Some scientists now think road rage and other personal space disputes — neighbor feuds over intrusive flora or spats with gym hogs who won’t let others work in — boil up from responses selected by evolution to protect resources and ensure survival of the species. Recent findings in the field of evolutionary psychology suggest that a mandate to defend turf is at the root of some of the species’ most irrational and violent behavior: jealousy, assaults, murder.
“Humans have developed adaptations to prevent people from encroaching on our stuff,” says David M. Buss, whose latest book, “The Murderer Next Door,” examines how these changes, such as territorial mate-guarding and jealousy, play a role in homicides. The impulses are part of a survival program designed to make us react first and think later, if at all.
[snip]More than a bruised ego is at stake. People who are “exploitable” might be less likely to attract a mate and propagate — the mandate behind most territorial behavior, Buss says.
The problem is that territorial behaviors weren’t designed for the 21st century. Instead of leading to increased power, resources, food or mate prospects, they often result in conflict, court bills, injury and death.
Quick, someone tell Hemenway.
