Right now, a popular thought experiment on social media is whether or not one hundred men could defeat one gorilla in a fight. Scenarios like these have likely existed for centuries, with communities wondering how far human anatomy and cunning can push them against some of the world’s most formidable and powerful animals.
Gorillas fit this bill, as they are astonishingly strong. Silverbacks can lift objects up to 815 kilograms (1793 pounds). Their immense strength and dense muscles mean they can hit much harder than any human male could.
Humans, on the other hand, have developed advanced social coordination, endurance, and tactical thinking. This gives humans and gorillas their own strengths and weaknesses. Could humans, with their numbers and coordination, overpower a gorilla’s raw strength?
Gorilla Strength
A silverback gorilla boasts impressive physical capabilities. We already mentioned that they can lift close to a ton, but their striking force has been measured to be between 1,300 and 2,700 pounds.
They also have a grip strength that could easily crush human bones. With a muscle density four times higher than that of humans, they have been estimated to be as strong as twenty men.
Despite many foolishly believing they could outmatch a gorilla in brawn, no human could take on a gorilla, no matter what kind of physical training they have received. When it comes to hand-to-hand combat, it’s no competition.
The Power Of Numbers
While a gorilla is unmatched one-on-one with any human, the popular thought experiment stipulates that it’s not just one human going into the ring with a gorilla but outnumbering the gorilla 100 to 1.
One hundred humans is a substantial number, and this amount could swarm one, even more, massive animal and potentially immobilize it through combined weight.
The question is whether or not one hundred men have the coordination and bravery to act together instead of going in one by one. A coordinated assault could leave the gorilla open from certain angles, and humans have unmatched endurance, meaning it may be a waiting game.
Historical Accounts
Although we might think that the idea of multiple men taking on such a strong animal is absurd, historical accounts prove that humans could take on animals much bigger than themselves when working together.
Early humans successfully hunted megafauna like mammoths by working together. However, they used deadly tools, and the thought experiment implies that both the gorilla and humans would be unarmed.
With enough discipline and strategy, perhaps humans could still come out on top.
Psychological Warfare
Conflicts in history have taught us that a battle isn’t just about the physical component.
Psychological factors can play a pivotal role in a fight, especially when humans have a far superior intellect to gorillas, meaning they could use mental manipulation to their advantage.
A gorilla would most likely feel confused or panicked by just the sheer volume of humans, meaning they would give up before the battle. Humans win when it comes to the psychological component of warfare.
Strategy
Another approach that the human participants could take is from military history. Many military campaigns were one through superior tactics, and because a gorilla relies on pure instincts, this could work out perfectly.
Men could be assigned certain roles, such as distractors, immobilizers, and restrainers. This could ensure that the gorilla becomes pacified before it understands the strategy.
Even if things don’t go according to plan, the gorilla would get tired quickly, as they aren’t built for stamina, and would eventually be too fatigued to fight and end the battle by giving up.
Environmental Variables
The space in which a battle takes place is an important factor. If the battle occurs in an open arena or plain, the humans would have a clear view of and surround the gorilla.
However, if the battle takes place on the gorilla’s home turf, such as a dense rainforest or jungle, the animal could use its knowledge of the terrain to its advantage.
Men could be defeated individually as they struggled to move effectively through dense undergrowth. Regarding environments, both sides have a clear advantage depending on where they occur.
Is The Gorilla Overestimated?
Some experts argue that the formidable icon the gorilla has become is somewhat sensationalized. Although gorillas are immensely powerful animals, they have limited stamina, and their fighting style is ill-suited to prolonged fights with multiple combatants.
Extreme examples like the 100 men having military combat experience could help tip the odds in their favor even further.
Conversely, if the resolve of any men falters, the ensuing panic would result in a mass retreat, resulting in the victory going to the gorilla through disqualification.
The Implications Of The Experiment
The thought experiment stimulates people’s thinking about human ingenuity, strength, and coordination limits. Still, it could also have implications for those seriously considering the possibility of the experiment.
If an experiment like this was ever tested, it would cause many ethical debates, as such an absurd event would only cause unnecessary harm or even death.
While it is fun to think of wild theories that challenge our understanding and prompt stimulating debates, we should keep serious thought experiments grounded in reality.
Who Would Win?
If 100 men were to ever try to take on a healthy gorilla, the results are mixed. In theory, 100 men in peak physical condition could overpower a gorilla if they kept up morale and didn’t hesitate, but these projections aren’t realistic when most people would retreat from the threat of a gorilla.
Without any tools, humans would have to intentionally put themselves in harm’s way, which isn’t feasible. Conversely, the gorillas wouldn’t have the stamina to defeat 100 men, even one at a time, and would eventually succumb to exhaustion.
There is no definitive answer, which is part of what makes thought experiments stimulating and engaging. Many opinions can be right as long as they are substantiated.
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