Evolutionary Expert Weighs In: Who Would Triumph—a Gorilla or 100 Men?

The internet's newest and ridiculous fixation is: who would triumph in an unrestricted battle between 100 regular guys and a single grown man? gorilla ?

This outlandish and bizarre query has taken over Reddit. TikTok , platforms such as YouTube and Instagram have been cited. Some people contend that since humans historically hunted mammoths, we would undoubtedly triumph now. Conversely, others highlight that a silverback gorilla can hoist nearly 1,000 kg and might toss an adult human with ease comparable to tossing aside a small cloth doll.

Honestly, it isn’t really a question we need to address; nevertheless, as always online, everybody seems to have an opinion about it.

However, amidst all the humour and internet memes, this lighthearted discussion offers a chance for contemplation. human evolution .

What genuine capabilities does humanity possess? What have we forgone? Moreover, how might a gorilla—a regal, robust, yet threatened distant relative—offer insights into our inherent traits and development?

Gorillas and humans: two limbs originating from the same ancestral stock

Gorillas are among our closest living relatives. Besides chimpanzees Chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans all fall within the Hominidae family, also known as the great ape family. Chimps have approximately 98.8% genetic similarity with humans, followed closely by gorillas, which share roughly 98.4% of their DNA with us.

The most recent shared ancestor of both humans and gorillas existed approximately 10 million years ago, which is also the case for chimpanzees.

Following their divergence, humans and gorillas have taken distinct evolutionary routes. Gorillas have adjusted to thrive in thick jungles and rugged mountains, whereas humans have developed the ability to inhabit wide-open spaces as well as an array of diverse settings.

Even though humans and gorillas occupy quite different ecosystems, they have numerous similarities, including opposable thumbs, intricate social structures, expressive faces, and emotional understanding.

Mastering forest power

In the recent Dune Saga, aiming to triumph, Duke Leto Atreides sought to cultivate "desert power." In contrast, gorillas have become masters of forest power.

Let’s make this clear: when it comes to sheer strength, the gorilla reigns supreme. A fully grown male silverback can tip the scales at more than 160 kilograms and effortlessly hoist around one metric ton without ever stepping into a gym. The magnitude of their upper body power is astounding. This isn’t some random occurrence in evolution; rather, it stems from fierce rivalry among males, with dominance directly influencing reproductive success.

Moreover, gorillas are incredibly robust and durable but tend to be mild-mannered and tranquil for much of the time. Similar to numerous primates, they possess significant social acumen. These animals employ an array of sounds, movements, and even beat their chests as methods of communication over long ranges.

They have exhibited proficiency in using sign language, grieving for their deceased, and showing compassion, which underscores their advanced mental capabilities.

Trading muscles for minds

A battle involving 100 men against a single gorilla could result in numerous casualties among the humans, yet everyone understands that these men would likely resort to using weaponry, tactical plans, unmanned aerial vehicles, flames, and various ingenious methods.

When compared to numerous other mammals, humans lack physical robustness. However, our species' prowess lies in our adaptability and our capacity for collaboration within extensive communities.

On average, our brains are approximately three times bigger relative to our body size compared to gorillas. This remarkable evolutionary development has enabled us to engage in abstract thought and use symbolic communication, with perhaps the most significant outcome being our ability to transmit and expand intricate information from one generation to another.

This is our most significant superpower: our capacity to collaborate within extensive communities, extending well past what you'd typically see with an average gorilla troop, often comprising just a handful of kinfolk up to around 30 creatures.

Humanity's evolutionary journey has resulted in exchanging raw power for advancements in social structures, culture, and technology, rendering us the planet's most adaptable and perilous species.

So, who’s the winner?

During an individual fight, the gorilla can create "human-pulp" using just one hand. When talking about sheer strength and unarmed combat, there is no competition.

However, humans engage in underhanded combat. Considering our evolutionary triumphs, humans might lose numerous skirmishes but eventually claim victory in the overall struggle. Mountain gorillas We would not have avoided near-extinction in the 1980s without our assistance.

Our species has traversed every continent, terrain, and climate. We have transformed ecosystems, set foot on the Moon, and created sophisticated technology. However, gorillas represent a different sort of triumph marked by their balance with nature, physical elegance, and silent power.

Maybe the true lesson here isn't about who prevails in combat, but rather recognizing that two closely related yet distinctly different relatives have taken divergent paths of evolution, each in their unique manner. Both stand as remarkable achievements and successes of nature.

Renaud Joannes-Boyau serves as a Professor of Geochronology and Geochemistry at Southern Cross University.

The article was initially published by The Conversation and is being republished here under a Creative Commons license. You can read the original piece. original article

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