I will leave you to imagine a world without men, but there is one immediate benefit from their extinction. Adam's curse is permanently lifted. Sexual selection disappears, for the simplest of reasons - there are no longer two sexes. Sperm no longer fights sperm for access to eggs. There are no sperm to do battle, no Y-chromosomes to enslave the feminine. The destructive spiral of greed and ambition fuelled by sexual selection diminishes and, as a direct result, the sickness of our planet eases. The world no longer reverberates to the sound of men's clashing antlers and the grim repercussions of private and public warfare.
In a hypothetical scenario where men no longer exist, one of the primary outcomes is the removal of sexual selection. Without two sexes, the competition inherent in mating processes, particularly that between sperm, ceases. This simplification of reproduction leads to a significant shift in social dynamics, as absence of male characteristics that often drive ambition and greed can relieve societal pressures that contribute to global conflicts.
The elimination of men's influence allows for a more peaceful world, stripped of the historical conflicts and struggles that have often stemmed from their dominance. As a result, the collective issues burdening the planet may begin to heal, creating an environment where cooperation and nurturing could thrive in the absence of aggressive competition. Bryan Sykes' exploration of these themes emphasizes the interplay between genetics and societal constructs and challenges readers to reflect on the consequences of sexual selection.
