The Paradise Experiment

I came across a wild experiment from the 1960s that I felt has a lot of relevance today.

Ethologist John B. Calhoun conducted the Paradise Experiment (more famously called Universe 25), in which he created a "mouse utopia" with unlimited food, water, and shelter.

At first, the colony thrived, but as the population grew, social order collapsed.

Aggression, withdrawal, and neglect of offspring led to a complete societal breakdown.

Eventually, the mice stopped reproducing altogether, and the once-thriving population went extinct.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the study was the role of personal space.

Even with ample resources, the sheer density of the population caused psychological distress.

Mice who lost their ability to establish individual territory or maintain normal social bonds withdrew or became violent.

This suggests that personal space isn’t just a luxury—it’s essential for maintaining order and well-being.

Thankfully, humans haven’t reached a "Universe 25" scenario, but overcrowding, urban stress, and social isolation are growing concerns.

It reinforces the importance of having a safe space and protecting it at all costs.

Note: While Universe 25 raises intriguing questions, it’s also been widely criticised. If you're curious, you can read more about the study here.

Today’s Prompts

1 - Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your environment? What did you do about it? How can you protect your personal space?

2 - How does your physical space impact your mental well-being?

3 - What role does alone time play in your overall happiness?

4 - How do you set boundaries in your personal and social life?

Get the most out of your journalling:

• Choose one prompt: Focus on just one prompt each day to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

• Be brutally honest: Reflect openly and honestly. This is your safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings.

• Take your time: Sometimes it takes a few days to clarify your thinking. Here’s permission for you to take your time to unravel a prompt and not take on any new ones during that time.

• Journal your way: Whether you prefer writing, audio recording, or video, choose the method that suits you best.

• Don't stress about streaks: If you miss a day, don't worry. You can always revisit a previous prompt.

I’d love your feedback

What was your favourite prompt of the day? Is there any specific challenge you want prompts for? How can I improve the content of the newsletter? Reply this mail and let me know!