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The Future of Pet Ownership: Why Pets Won't Be Legal by 2040
- safemodemobility
- Jun 9, 2024
- 7 min read
As we look ahead to the year 2040, I firmly believe that the concept of pet ownership, as we know it today, will no longer be legal. This prediction is rooted in a fundamental belief that freedom is the most essential need for every living being, transcending even the basic necessities of oxygen, food, and shelter. Freedom, in its broadest sense, is the cornerstone of existence for both humans and animals.
The Evolution of Human-Animal Relationships
For millions of years, humans coexisted with animals as part of the natural ecosystem. We were not pet owners but members of a larger community that included animals and plants. This harmonious relationship allowed for a deep, almost mystical communication with other species—a connection that many hunter-gatherer tribes around the world still maintain today. These tribes, found in regions like India, Australia, Africa, and the Americas, demonstrate that this ancient communication capability has been lost by most modern humans.
For example, the Mbendjele Pygmies of the Congo Basin maintain a deep connection with their environment, using an intricate system of signs and sounds to communicate with animals during hunts. Similarly, the Aboriginal people of Australia possess Dreamtime stories and songs that encode knowledge about animal behavior and environmental cues, allowing them to live in harmony with nature.
The Agricultural Revolution and Its Impact
Around 12,000 years ago, two pivotal events occurred almost simultaneously that drastically altered our relationship with the natural world:
The Agricultural Revolution: This marked the end of our nomadic lifestyle and the beginning of permanent settlements. In a few short generations, we abandoned our ancestral knowledge, communal living, and direct connection with nature. According to research published in the journal Nature, the shift to agricultural societies resulted in significant changes in human diet, health, and social structures. The stable food supply allowed human populations to grow, but it also led to increased instances of disease and nutritional deficiencies, as well as social hierarchies and inequalities.
The Domestication of Animals: For the first time, humans began to possess animals, marking a significant shift in our interaction with other species. The domestication process is well-documented through archaeological evidence. For instance, studies published in Science have shown that the domestication of dogs occurred around 12,000 years ago, with genetic evidence indicating that domesticated dogs share common ancestry with modern wolves. This domestication created a bond that benefited both species, but it also established a precedent for viewing animals as property.
The Underlying Causes of Animal Possession
There are three main reasons why humans started to own animals:
Settlements: With the advent of agriculture, humans stopped their constant movement. This newfound stability led to closer interactions with certain species, like wolves, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship that eventually led to domestication. Research from the University of Oxford highlights how early human settlements created environments that attracted wild animals. These interactions led to a gradual process of domestication, where certain traits were selected for, resulting in animals that were more docile and suited to human needs.
Possession and Property: Moving away from the natural world where everything was shared, humans began to claim ownership of land and resources. This sense of possession extended to animals, which were no longer seen as equal members of the ecosystem but as property. The concept of land ownership and its impact on societal structures is explored in Jared Diamond's book Guns, Germs, and Steel. Diamond argues that the shift to agriculture and settled life created a surplus of resources, leading to the development of property rights and social stratification. Animals became part of this system of ownership, valued for their labor, products, and companionship.
Loss of Communication: As humans settled and distanced themselves from nature, we lost our ability to communicate with other species. This loss fostered the belief that humans were superior, viewing animals as lacking consciousness, desires, and needs, existing merely to serve us. Studies in anthropology and ethology, such as those by Dr. Frans de Waal, show that many animal species exhibit complex social behaviors and communication skills. However, the anthropocentric view that emerged with settled societies diminished the recognition of these abilities, reinforcing the idea that animals were inferior.
The Dawn of Animal Language Deciphering
Recent technological advancements are beginning to uncover the languages of animals. Prestigious awards, like the Coller $10 million prize, aim to incentivize breakthroughs in decoding animal communication. These efforts promise to revolutionize our understanding of animal behavior and desires.
Researchers are using machine learning algorithms to analyze animal vocalizations and body language. For instance, Dr. Karen Bakker's work at the University of British Columbia employs bioacoustic monitoring to decode the communication patterns of whales and elephants. This research, published in journals like Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, demonstrates that these animals use specific sounds to convey information about their environment, social status, and emotional states.
Imagine a future where we can understand what our pets are saying. It sounds appealing, but it also presents ethical dilemmas. What happens when our cat or dog expresses a desire not to be petted or reveals a longing for freedom? Consider the implications for farm animals in the meat industry, who could articulate their suffering in slaughterhouses.
The ethical implications of decoding animal languages are profound. Dr. Lori Marino, a neuroscientist and expert in animal behavior, has argued that recognizing the cognitive and emotional capacities of animals should lead to a reevaluation of their treatment. Her work, published in Frontiers in Psychology, suggests that understanding animal communication could drive significant changes in laws and societal norms regarding animal rights.
The Ethical Shift Towards Animal Freedom
As we advance in our ability to understand animal languages, society will face a moral reckoning. The realization that animals have complex emotions and desires will challenge the ethical foundations of pet ownership and animal exploitation. By 2040, I believe this growing awareness will lead to significant legal changes, making pet ownership, as we currently practice it, a thing of the past.
The growing field of animal ethics, championed by scholars like Dr. Peter Singer, emphasizes the moral consideration we owe to animals. Singer's principle of equal consideration of interests argues that the suffering of animals should be weighed equally with human suffering. This perspective is gaining traction, as seen in the increasing number of countries enacting animal welfare laws and recognizing animal sentience.
In conclusion, the journey from the ancient symbiosis with nature to the domestication and ownership of animals has been marked by significant cultural shifts. However, as we stand on the brink of technological breakthroughs in understanding animal communication, we are also on the verge of an ethical transformation. By 2040, the recognition of animals as sentient beings with their own desires and rights will lead us to a future where the concept of pet ownership is replaced by a more compassionate and respectful coexistence. This shift will restore a deeper connection with the natural world, honoring the intricate web of life that we are all part of.
Flaco the Owl: A Tale of Survival and Perception
Flaco the owl's escape from the Central Park Zoo in February 2023 sparked a wave of concern, with many asserting, "He won't survive a day out there." Experts and onlookers doubted his ability to adapt to the wild, given his life in captivity. However, Flaco not only survived but thrived in the wild, catching his own prey and navigating the urban environment with remarkable agility. His successful adaptation was monitored by bird watchers and enthusiasts who observed his hunting skills and overall health.
Flaco's story underscores the often misguided narratives we tell ourselves about animal dependence, much like the belief that "my pet won't survive without me." His thriving existence in the wild challenges these assumptions, highlighting the innate capabilities and adaptability of animals when given the chance. Flaco's journey from captivity to flourishing in the wild serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience inherent in all creatures, questioning our perceptions of their needs and dependencies. This tale of survival illustrates that animals possess natural instincts and strengths that are often underestimated.
Maslow's Hierarchy Revisited: Freedom at the Core of Existence
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs categorizes human needs into physiological needs (food, water, shelter), safety needs (protection and security), love and belonging (social connections and relationships), esteem (respect and recognition), and self-actualization (personal potential and self-fulfillment). However, I believe that the fundamental need underpinning all of these is freedom. Without freedom, accessing resources, ensuring safety, forming relationships, and achieving personal growth is impossible.
Freedom is crucial because it allows individuals to make choices, seek opportunities, and control their destinies. This foundational need extends beyond humans to all living beings, including animals. Just as humans require freedom to thrive, animals also need freedom to live fulfilling lives. The restriction of freedom, seen in societal responses like imprisonment, highlights its importance. It underscores that freedom is essential for the well-being and fulfillment of all living creatures.
Dr. Jane Goodall has highlighted the negative impacts of captivity on animal health, emphasizing the importance of freedom for their well-being. Similarly, Temple Grandin has shown how lack of freedom causes stress and suffering in animals. Research in human psychology consistently demonstrates that autonomy and freedom are critical for mental health and overall well-being, further supporting the idea that freedom is a foundational need for all living beings.
Conclusion
As we advance in understanding animal languages and recognizing their emotional and cognitive capacities, it becomes clear that freedom is the most fundamental need for all living beings. Just as humans require freedom to thrive, so do animals. The future will likely see significant changes in how we interact with animals, moving away from pet ownership toward a more compassionate and respectful coexistence. When animals can articulate their desire for freedom, society will have to reevaluate the ethics of petting and owning animals, ultimately prioritizing their innate rights and well-being.
Resources:
- בזמן שעבדתם / Bezman Shavadetem | Episode 180 : ד״ר דוליטל פינת הלוחשת לתינוקת
On the cutting-edge research and tech related to understanding and encoding animals' languages:
-בני ובנות הניאקה - The Neiaka people
Dr. Daniel Nave, an Anthropologist of the Tel Aviv University is sharing his journey, living for two years with the hunter-gatherer tribe in India and opening us a portal to learn about our past.
Sapinas - קיצור תולדות האנושותProf. Yuval Noah Harari shares how the agriculture revolution has changed our species:https://open.spotify.com/episode/0eSM5pVq33N2rQE83nQZ7Y?si=hCQk7ksVQiOeEUf2m_DHHQ
Mutant Message Down Under/ Marlo Morgan
Sharing the experience of living with the hunter-gatherer tribe of the Aborigines in Australia.
Chimp Empire -
A documentary Netflix show unveiling the life of our closest relatives, the chimpanzees, showing how we were living for millions of years. https://www.netflix.com/title/81311783
The Evolution of dogs.
I agree with the part of the mutual benefit, lacking the freedom part, but interesting historical view.
Joe Rogan and Paul Rosolie-
Paul Rosolie is a conservationist, filmmaker, and writer. He's the founder of Junglekeepers, an organization protecting threatened habitat in western Amazonia
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