The term "arboreal" reflects our ancestral roots and instincts, as emphasized by the character Crake in Margaret Atwood's "Oryx and Crake." He humorously notes how our predecessors, living in trees, had the unique vantage point to look down on their foes, even taking the liberty of defecating on them. This primitive behavior illustrates a primal form of dominance and survival.

Moreover, Crake suggests that contemporary human inventions like planes, rockets, and bombs are elaborate extensions of this ancient instinct. These modern technologies echo our early behaviors, showcasing how base impulses have evolved but remain embedded in our actions and societal structure today.