Reflections on Goodall

The central point of Goodall's speech can be summarized thusly: "Humans and chimpanzees are not that different.". Ishmael communicates essentially the same message as Jane Goodall, they both provide alternative perspectives, each one powerfully demonstrating the fact that humans are not nearly as distinct from other animals as we'd assumed, that we are indeed just another species with the vocalization mechanisms. Jane Goodall provides us with countless examples of Chimpanzee intelligence and culture, ranging from tool-usage to self-awareness, from embracing to sign language, to clearly illustrate how similar we are. Ishmael tries to impart the same fact to the reader, but from a different perspective, he uses analogous tales from other organisms to show that any creature will automatically make the erroneous assumption that it holds the prestigious position of the pinnacle of existence. Jane Goodall gave many examples of positive chimpanzee behaviour, I would like to provide a couple of examples of cruelty and brutality within chimpanzee troupes, because I think they highlight the fact that we are not so different after all, that many of our negative traits are mirrored in our primate cousins. Chimpanzees have been observed performing tasks such as group-hunting monkeys, where complex group-dynamics such as baiting and trapping are utilized to flush monkeys out of trees. Chimpanzees have also been observed performing murder (the purposeful killing of another member of a group), torture (this was recorded when a young chimpanzee male wandered into another group's territory, the male was subsequently pinned down by 4 other chimpanzees whilst the others proceeded to beat him), and even rudimentary war (this was observed after a schism within a chimpanzee group occurred, and both groups were competing for territory). These traits which we previously assumed were innately and uniquely human are now being observed in other species, forcing us to quickly reevaluate our self-declared position at the top of the biological hierarchy.

Goodall then proceeds to explain the ways we have manipulated and destroyed our environment (I use the word "our" very carefully, the range of possession is not restricted to humans, but is extended to the community of life, which includes chimpanzees), with disastrous consequences. As long as we maintain the chauvinistic belief that we are somehow distinct from other animals, that we are conquistadors of the world, that the world is, as Ishmael so aptly describes, a giant life-support system for the human race, we will continue using it as such, we will continue to enact the story of anthropocentrism, we will continue to consume resources until we eventually, inevitably drive ourselves (and probably a large number of other large mammalian species) to extinction. Jane Goodall illustrates our anthropocentric beliefs by saying that we have used and abused other sentient beings, which should force us to feel shame and guilt. Recent research is forcing us to change our prior belief that humans are different from other species, this recently blurred line between humans and other animals is propelling a new movement; Great Ape Personhood, which proposes to extend legal and moral rights to great apes. This movement is staunchly advocated by Jane Goodall herself, and Richard Dawkins. Speciesism is a powerful description of our previous views on animals, it is high time that we reevaluate those views, we have, throughout history, struggled so passionately against sexism, racism, and other forms of discrimination, the time has come for us to fight against animal discrimination.

The third similarity between Goodall and Ishmael is the form of their pleas for help. Their cries for help are designed to educate people, to provide examples of human brutality, human stupidity, human fallacy. They both accept and understand that the central problem facing humanity (as well as life as a whole) is human arrogance, that we somehow believe that we are the destined rulers of the world. They both seek to demolish this belief, which they see as one of the fundamental causes of biological and environmental abuse. Jane Goodall aimed her message at all who would listen, and doubtlessly imparted it in the Roots and Shoots programme, while Ishmael sought to reeducate a single individual by forcing the listener to analyze Mother Culture's teachings from a neutral perspective, both work incredibly well. Great teachers and brilliant thinkers world-wide understand that the best way to change the world is to educate, our problems are caused by our ignorance, the more we illuminate the vast, dark room of the unknown, the more we begin to understand about the world, the more we begin to make a difference. Al Gore, Richard Dawkins, Jane Goodall, Ishmael, they all seek to change the world through education, each one fighting tooth and nail to eradicate ignorance, to create environmental and biological awareness, each one enacting their own story of hope for life on earth, each one slowly being heard, each one making a difference.