The Third Chimpanzee Jared Diamond This book grabbed my attention within the first few pages of the

prologue. The minuscule 1.6% genetic difference between Chimpanzees and Homo sapiens is so unbelievably minute, yet that 1.6% difference contains so much being very evident in the extensive visible contrasts. A statement that shocked me just the first few pages of Part One was the acknowledgment that theres more of a genetic difference between an American bird species, the Red-Eyed Vireos and the WhiteEyed Vireos than us Homo sapiens and Chimpanzees (2.9% as opposed to our 1.6% difference). Being that we are more similar in relation to Chimpanzees than of Chimpanzees to other apes supports the title of this very book, extending the idea that Homo sapiens should be treated and recognized as a third species of Chimpanzee. Its a weird thought to swallow since we completely separate ourselves from everything else we consider animals and we would never put ourselves into that category. Part Two really gets more in depth about how much our life cycle differs from that of our closest animal relative and why we evolved to this way of living. Taking most of the focus of our strange life cycle on our sexual relations, Jared Diamond showed many interesting points on the topic. Ways in which we differ from our closest living relatives start with the fact that most animal fathers provide no parental care, while Homo sapiens who create the offspring continue to aid in the raising and care of the child for many years after its birth, as long as he knows or is convinced it is his sperm that created the offspring. In a more physical aspect, the testes of male Homo sapiens are second largest in those of primates. Being said, testes size is varied due to its demanded usage. Homo sapiens require larger testes than gorillas for more sexual activity, yet smaller than those of Chimpanzees due to less sexual demand. In more of a sexual aspect, we are unusual in having sex mainly in private and for fun, rather than mainly in public and only when the female is able to conceive, making us greatly unique in sexual experiences due to our concealed ovulation and copulation. Yet another vast contrast is our life span, being that it is much longer, female Homo sapiens experience menopause while it is unprecedented among other mammals. After the contrasting of our sexual and life cycles, a very well noted and observed behavior thats recently been studied is common among not only Homo sapiens but many other animal species is extramarital sex. Although the reasons are much varied between each specie, Homo sapiens have been surveyed as accurate as possible, keeping in mind the subject brings up the instinct to lie since it is frowned upon, that men are more interested than women in seeking a variety of sexual partners for the sake of variety itself; while womens motives for extramarital sex are more likely to be marital dissatisfaction and/or a desire for a lasting new relationship. Part Three exemplifies many characteristics present in Homo sapiens that make up that 1.6% difference between our closest living relative, the Chimpanzee and us. Jared Diamond believes our uniqueness lies in the cultural traits that in turn give us power. Our cultural hallmarks include our vast spoken language, art, tool-based technology, and agriculture. All throughout history and into todays time, agricultural shows to have been a mixed blessing. Greatly harming many people while benefiting others. Our

chemical abuse is an awfully ugly trait that we have, along with practicing genocide and mass exterminations of other species. Our abuse of toxic chemicals is widespread and documented within the last five thousand years. As far as we know, it could date back into preagricultural times. More on our unique traits is our extensive language. As quoted, If we accept that we evolved from animals lacking human speech, then our language must have evolved and become perfected with time, along with the humans pelvis, skull, tools, and art. Of course, and unfortunately, the origins of language prove harder to trace than the origins of the human pelvis, skull, tools, and art. It is believed by many scientists and observers that increased social and sexual inequality, disease and despotism came along with greatly increased food production and food storage from the beginning of agricultural time. As if I werent already much interesting in the area of biology, this book really expanded my interest in the subject and planted more questions in my head that I feel will motivate me more to indulge in the topic.