https://soundcloud.com/davidrovics/bonobo-song

take care,
david

Hi Dr. Suzy

Thanks for your response – was completely unaware of the term “compersion”

Good article

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/what-is-compersion-and-how-to-practice-feeling-empathy-instead-of-jealousy

Thanks and cheers
Hugh

Aw… I guess I’m not “everyone,” because I don’t “skirt” jealousy issues – though I might pants them. The problem is that jealousy is a complex subject. Yes, bonobos get jealous – just like humans, common chimps, dogs and birds. They throw temper tantrums. They cry. They sulk. They fight. They just handle jealousy without killing each other. One way they handle it is through makeup sex. There are other workarounds. And yes, jealousy is very natural. But it’s enhanced by capitalism and feelings of ownership that bonobos don’t have. Yes, jealousy is “destructive,” as you say, for the most part. But it can also be oddly arousing, as in the exciting jealousy of the cuckold. And many people who are too “jealous” to share their lovers like to fantasize about them being with other people. Dragons can be fun to imagine or maybe roleplay or maybe real-play. The polyamorists handle it through compersion.

(from Dr.Hugh)

The issue that everyone skirts, is the issue of the “green eyed dragon with the fourteen tails” – jealousy.

Don’t know enough about bonobo behaviour – but do they show signs of jealousy? Is this a product of our culture, or is it part of our genetically encoded inheritance?

Whatever – it is immensely destructive.

interested to know your take on this.

Your year-end article reminded me of our fundamental nature. We’re attracted to weird stuff.

Thank you so much for this thoughtful end-of-year article on our American life.

You’ve written some compelling words throughout the year and this wrap-up shows what an incredible year it was

I couldn’t stop grinning while reading your entire article!

Still grinning. Go Bonobos in 2022!

I have just read your essay “Go Bonoboos in 2022” on CounterPunch and am writing to tell you it is one of the best articles I have read in several years.

Having been heavily influenced by the work of Norman O. Brown, Herbert Marcuse, and R. D. Laing, among others, I find it refreshing that someone is today addressing the issues they brought up in the 1950s and 60s.

In case you have never read it, I will attach Félix Guattari’s essay from 1973 titled “To Have Done With the Massacre of The Body”.

Again, my compliments on your work.