SKU: 44248626285

Tragedy in Mouse Utopia: An Ecological Commentary on Human Utopia

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Tragedy in Mouse Utopia: An Ecological Commentary on Human UtopiaIn 1968 John B. Calhoun, American behavioral ecologist, introduced eight mice into a technologically designed walled enclosure that fulfilled all the wants and needs of mice except migration in and out. Over a 41 2 year period the population exploded into a colony of 2200 mice, and then slowly and inexorably declined to extinction. Deprived of motherly love early in life, and denied access to social roles later in life, young mice grew up without

In 1968 John B. Calhoun, American behavioral ecologist, introduced eight mice into a technologically designed walled enclosure that fulfilled all the wants and needs of mice except migration in and out. Over a 41/2 year period the population exploded into a colony of 2200 mice, and then slowly and inexorably declined to extinction. Deprived of motherly love early in life, and denied access to social roles later in life, young mice grew up without knowing how to behave as mice. This book examines whether a similar fate could be in store for Human Utopia.
Part I compares the suicidal effects of runaway growth in Mouse Utopia to a similar sequence of events in Human Utopia. Part II describes our dependence on the Biosphere. Part III shows how the runaway growth of technology and population is creating havoc in our species and the Biosphere. How an inner life-force symbolized as "the Sorcerer" causes populations to self-destruct by satisfying internal desires beyond their useful times. As the Sorcerer's apprentices, we have been preparing the ground for a crisis of crises beyond human control. Part IV describes how the Sorcerer works and how to control his destructive traits. Political, spiritual and behavioral opportunities are identified that could be overlooked, misinterpreted or ignored in steering a course toward coevolution of humanity and the Biosphere.
Victor J. Crapnell: "Interesting, yes; and scary "
Johnny Biosphere: "This book is remedial reading fom some ecologists, most employees of enviornmental protection agencies, and most forward looking businessmen and politicians."
Economist Tom Muir interviews ecologist J.R. Vallentyne on "Tragedy in Mouse Utopia: The Sorcerer Lurks Within" 2006. Trafford Publishing, 2333 Government St. Victoria BC, V8T 4P4, Canada.
Muir: Dr. Vallentyne, you claim that the global course of "Human Utopia" since the 14th century has been following the 41/2 year march to extinction of a mouse colony provided with everything that mice could want. You seem to dismiss the "magic of the marketplace." What about human innovation and invention? Men are not mice
Vallentyne: My comparison is not between men and mice. It is between the behavior of mice and humans when both are driven to excesses by a runaway cycle of growth of technology and population. The marketplace accelerates the runaway cycle by feeding human desires rather than limiting human growth.
Muir: Yet another global treatise on this subject in addition to Malthus, The Club of Rome, and Global 2000??? Don't you think the public and political reaction will be to shrug and move on?
Vallentyne: Possibly, but I have added three new dimensions to the discussion: (1) a runaway cycle of intertwined growth of technology and population, jointly; (2) a change of context from an era of "upward causation" in which exponential growth is normal, to an era of "downward causation" in which continued growth is suicidal; and (3) the psychological-behavioral nature of the problem in both mice and humans. Malthus, it seems, is not yet entirely dead.
Muir: What makes you think that we may be on the brink of globally disastrous feedback from the Biosphere? I do not think that you are even close to evaluating the influence of different time scales in your analysis.
Vallentyne: Look around. Biospheric feedback is here now and increasing Differences in timescales create the problem
Muir: What do you have to say to the eternal optimist and the resigned pessimist?
Vallentyne: Nothing. Realists and pragmatists are needed.
Muir: If destruction takes place in 500 to 1000 years, who cares?
Vallentyne: Nobody - except humanitarians, environmentalists, most women and all children.
Muir: Does our global technological society have to crash? Isn't it possible that human society will ignore your work?
Vallentyne: My book poses these questions, but does not presume to answer them. My aim has been to identify contexts and probabilities that shape the answers.
Muir: You describe "a Sorcerer within" as a mastermind of the cravings behind The Seven Deadly Sins. Isn't that just a little bit far-fetched?
Vallentyne: Not at all. The notion of the Sorcerer has more in common with our perceptions of reality than science or psychology can ever convey. naming the mastermind of the cravings could be key to controlling the Sins.
Muir: Given the inability of individuals to overcome the inertia and change the direction of politicians, how can you possibly conclude that our only real hope lies in faith?
Vallentyne: Faith is not unique to religion. It is inherent in the nature of life. As Dostoyevsky noted in The Brothers Karamazov: To a realist, faith does not arise form miracles; miracles arise from faith.
Muir: Has Calhoun's experiment ever been repeated?
Vallentyne: Yes, it is being repeated right now; in Human Utopia For an update on Human Utopia, read Scott Wooding's insightful book The Parenting Crisis.
Muir: What is the bottom line of your book? What is the take-away message?
Vallentyne: At a personallevel: Do unto the ecosystems that you share with others as you would have others do unto the ecosystems they share with you. Politically: Put the concept of the Biosphere (or Ecosphere, if you prefer) into the charter of the United Nations.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Trafford Publishing
Published: 03/16/2006
ISBN: 9781412056335
Pages: 212
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.48d
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SKU: 44248626285

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peter contino
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
My dog loves this toy!
Color: Bunny (Gray), Size: Large, Color: Bunny (Gray), Size: Large
High quality, big toy, perfect for a medium to large size dog. After a few months of serious chewing I had to buy another one, but well worth the money! Rocky loves it.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2026
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Denise Boyd
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 4
Great toy but if your dog is an aggressive chewer, please think twice.
Color: Crinkle Chicken (Brown), Size: Large
I received this on May 23rd and on June 8th, after playing with this thing every day, our recently acquired 36 lb dog finally ripped it open and got out all the plastic and the squeaky part. Lily Belle will miss you, chicken. Lily loooooved this toy! She'd toss it in the air, chew on it, pull it with her teeth etc. but as much as she loved it, we won't replace it. It's just not durable enough for her. If your dog is an aggressive chewer, you might want to try a different toy. I hate that this lasted just a smidge over two weeks because Lily seemed to truly enjoy this toy. RIP, squeaky chicken!
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Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2026
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Literally doesn’t work
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
Great Value Toy
Color: Crinkle Duck (Blue), Size: Large, Color: Crinkle Duck (Blue), Size: Large
This toy has been one of my dog’s absolute favorites. He gets excited every time he sees it and will carry it around the house, toss it in the air, and keep himself entertained for a long time. The shape and texture seem perfect for him, and it quickly became one of his go-to toys over everything else in his basket. What I really like is that it holds up reasonably well for the price. It’s definitely not indestructible, and after a lot of play, it will sometimes start to rip—usually around the feet first since that’s where my dog tends to grab and chew the most. But honestly, considering how affordable it is, I don’t mind replacing it when needed. It’s inexpensive enough that rebuying feels worth it because he genuinely loves it that much. I’d rather keep buying a toy he is obsessed with than spend more on something that just sits untouched. It’s fun, cute, and keeps him happy, which is what matters most. Overall, I’d definitely recommend it for dogs who love plush toys and playful chewing.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2026
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Lady B
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 5
Best affordable squeaker toy
Color: Crinkle Chicken (Brown), Size: Large, Color: Crinkle Chicken (Brown), Size: Large
my dog is obsessed with this toy, this has became his new comfort toy and after having this for about four months the legs are falling off but it’s very durable. The squeaker also moved from the head of the chicken to the body of the chicken but that’s after it was played with every single day. I love that it has two squeakers and it’s the perfect toy for my dog.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2026
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Amazon Customer
Boise, US
★★★★★ 5
My dogs favorite toy EVER
Color: Crinkle Chicken (Brown), Size: Large
I have a Belgian Malinois who loves any and every toy, but this one is definitely her favorite. She will walk around the house constantly carrying it in her mouth, which is honestly adorable to watch. The squeakers only lasted a couple of months, but I don’t really consider that a downside—I’m kind of grateful they didn’t last forever given how much she plays with it. It still remains one of her most-loved toys even without them. My only word of caution is that if you work from home, this toy makes a lot of crinkling noise. And I mean A LOT. It’s great for keeping the dog entertained, but it can definitely get a little frustrating for humans trying to focus or take calls. Overall, it’s been a big hit in our house and easily one of her favorite toys.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2026

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