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Asked AI how cities would look different if we marked our territory like dogs
| https://imgur.com/a/o2g8xYK | 05/13/25 |
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Date: May 13th, 2025 7:47 PM Author: https://imgur.com/a/o2g8xYK Isn't this a good reason to run LLMs locally instead of giving Google your name and credit card info?
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Okay, this is a fascinating thought experiment! Let's explore what cities might look like if humans instinctively and socially marked territory like dogs. This will involve extrapolating from canine behavior, considering the complexities of human society, and then imagining how it would manifest in an urban environment. I'll break it down into categories: **Physical Environment, Social Structure & Behavior, Architecture/Urban Planning, and Potential Evolution.**
**1. Physical Environment - The "Scentscape"**
* **Ubiquitous Marking Points:** Forget designated urinals. Every corner, lamppost, fire hydrant, bench, doorway – *everything* would be a potential marking spot. We're talking a constant layer of scent overlaid on the city. * **Layered Scent Profiles:** It wouldn’t just be urine (the most obvious analogy). Humans might develop different scents for different purposes: dominance displays, "safe zones," warnings to rivals, and even subtle communication about mood or status. These could involve pheromones (which we do produce, but don't consciously control), body oils, specialized secretions, or even scented objects carried around specifically for marking. * **"Scent Trails":** Regular routes would become heavily marked with scent trails, creating a kind of olfactory map. These might be more prominent in areas considered 'high value' (e.g., near food sources, desirable housing). Think of it like how dogs leave their scent around favorite spots. * **Scent-Neutralizing Technologies:** There would *absolutely* be an industry devoted to scent removal and masking: powerful air fresheners, specialized cleaning agents, even potentially technology that can neutralize or alter scents. Imagine "scent blockers" as common as umbrellas today. There'd be a constant battle between markers and neutralizers. * **Weather Impact:** Rainfall would temporarily erase markings, creating a cyclical rhythm of marking/re-marking. Sunny days might amplify certain scents (especially if volatile compounds are involved). Wind patterns would create scent zones – areas where specific individuals or groups’ scents are dominant.
**2. Social Structure & Behavior - The Pack Dynamic**
* **Territoriality is Paramount:** Individual and group territory would become incredibly important. Neighborhoods, blocks, even smaller patches of sidewalk could be fiercely defended through scent-marking and potentially physical displays (posturing, vocalizations). * **Status Hierarchy:** Scent marking would likely be strongly linked to social status. Dominant individuals would mark more frequently, with stronger scents, in more prominent locations. Subordinates might have to avoid certain areas or mark submissively (perhaps using less concentrated scents or marking over the markings of superiors). * **Group Affiliation:** Groups (families, gangs, clubs) would likely develop unique scent profiles—a blend of individual scents that signifies membership and defends their territory. Marking could be a form of group bonding and identification. * **"Scent Intrusion" as Aggression:** Trespassing on someone’s marked territory or marking *over* theirs (essentially defacing it) would be seen as an act of aggression, potentially leading to conflict. Imagine the escalation from a simple "pee war" to something more serious. * **Privacy is Radically Different:** The concept of personal space and privacy would fundamentally change. Your scent would be unavoidable and constantly broadcasted. This could lead to psychological distress for some, while others might become accustomed to it. * **Scent-Based Communication Beyond Territory**: While territory marking would be primary, subtle scent cues could evolve for communication: signaling availability (mating), discomfort, or even basic emotions.
**3. Architecture & Urban Planning - Designed for Scent**
* **Verticality:** Taller buildings might offer strategic vantage points to survey and mark territories from above. * **Scent Barriers:** Physical barriers would take on a new dimension. Walls and fences wouldn’t just be about visual separation but also scent containment – potentially incorporating materials that absorb or alter scents. * **"Scent Corridors":** Certain streets or pathways might become heavily marked "scent corridors," representing routes of dominance or control. * **Scent-Filtering Zones:** Wealthier areas might invest in advanced scent filtration systems, creating “clean zones” for residents to escape the pervasive odor of the city. This could exacerbate social inequalities. * **Architectural Features for Marking:** Buildings might incorporate specific features designed to be readily marked: textured surfaces, designated "marking platforms," or even structures that amplify scents. Imagine special 'scent posts' integrated into buildings. * **Open Spaces Redefined:** Parks and plazas would need to be carefully managed – either fiercely defended by established territorial groups or strategically neutralized to prevent constant conflict.
**4. Potential Evolution - How Things Might Change Over Time**
* **Physiological Changes:** Over generations, humans might evolve: * Enhanced olfactory senses (a stronger sense of smell). * Specialized scent glands that produce more complex and controllable scents. * Potentially changes in skin microbiome to influence individual scent profiles. * **Social & Cultural Adaptations:** * **Scent-Based Etiquette**: Complex rules and customs would evolve around scent marking: appropriate times, locations, and intensities for different situations. "Scent diplomacy" could become a real thing. * **Artistic Expression**: Scent could become an art form - carefully curated scent landscapes or temporary "scent graffiti." * **Religious/Spiritual Significance:** Scent might take on religious or spiritual meanings, with certain scents considered sacred or taboo. * **Technological Advancement**: Beyond just neutralizing technologies, we may see: * 'Scent synthesizers': devices that allow individuals to create and project custom scents for various purposes. * Advanced scent analysis technology: allowing people to identify individuals and assess their emotional state based on their scent profile.
**Challenges & Considerations:**
* **Hygiene/Disease**: A constant layer of urine-based marking could present serious public health challenges, potentially leading to the spread of disease. This would drive demand for sanitation and medical advancements. * **Social Inequality:** The ability to control one's scent or neutralize the scents of others would likely be linked to wealth and status, creating a highly stratified society. * **Mental Health**: Constant olfactory bombardment could lead to sensory overload and psychological distress for many individuals.
**In conclusion, cities in this scenario would be drastically different – vibrant, chaotic, and intensely olfactory environments shaped by primal territorial instincts. It’s a fascinating thought experiment that highlights how much our social structures and urban landscapes are currently predicated on suppressing or ignoring these deeply rooted biological drives.**
Do you want me to delve deeper into any specific aspect of this (e.g., the evolution of scent-based communication, the impact on architecture, etc.)? |