Inspired (although perhaps this is the wrong word to use) by Cecil’s recent column on cannibalism.
So, as the thread title states, what’s up with that? And not just cannibalism, either. Vampires, dinosaurs, giant bugs, Things That Go Bump in the Night…
Weren’t we humans at the top of the food chain like, a million or so years ago? Or is there something else going on here?
Top of the food chain for a million years? Not hardly!
Most of our primate ancestors’ existence, up until the agrarian age arrived was a quest to find food and avoid being eaten. WE only arrived at the top of the food chain within the last few millenia. So naturally the mind will turn to contemplation of scenarios of being eaten and how to avoid it.
At least that’s my humble opinion.
Oh…you mean as a meal.
Never mind.
Actually, that’s a legitamite interpretation of my question, since the resultant devouring tends to be both frightening and morbidly erotic (at least in fiction, anyway). What’s with the “food = sex” connection?