Why isn't cannibalism more common?

[DiscoMick]

After all, we've been eating each other for many thousands of years.
Dr Karl says it might be because humans are actually not very nutritious. That's a relief...
Dr Karl: Why isn't cannibalism more common? - Science News - ABC News (http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2017-04-18/dr-karl-why-isnt-cannibalism-more-common/8449450)

[Andy130]

Simple answer,as to why cannibalism is not more common:

Supply chain logistics

That thin ribbon of 'just in time' delivery to our local supermarkets is the fine line between having a bbq amongst your neighbours, or your neighbours amongst your bbq [biggrin].

It takes about 3 days of no food supply for anarchy to break out. After about 3-6 months of no food supply, people start appearing on the menu.

Great topic...lets see where this goes next [biggrin]

[Mick_Marsh]

Where it goes next, Andy?

Well, I reckon we are getting more picky with our foods. It seems every other person wants to peruse the vegan menu.
And, what about those Taiwanese?
Taiwan bans slaughtering dogs and cats for meat, marking changing attitudes towards animals - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-12/taiwan-bans-dog-and-cat-slaughter-for-food/8439478)

[Andy130]

Well, I can't speak for the Taiwanese, but I did meet an ancestor of someone who ate Captain Cook...I was on a beach in Hawaii, at Kealakekua bay. It was an interesting conversation, over beers and deep fried turkey, which was delicious, but apparently a poor substitute from the benefits of eating a ships Captains, or so I was told.

Apparently, killing him was an accident and that simply led on to dinner.

They did return his bones when they were done though.

No harm, no foul.

[trog]

I do believe long pork is the approved terminology for person on a spit 😄

[travelrover]

Well, I can't speak for the Taiwanese, but I did meet an ancestor of someone who ate Captain Cook...I was on a beach in Hawaii, at Kealakekua bay. It was an interesting conversation, over beers and deep fried turkey, which was delicious, but apparently a poor substitute from the benefits of eating a ships Captains, or so I was told.

Apparently, killing him was an accident and that simply led on to dinner.

They did return his bones when they were done though.

No harm, no foul.

No harm, no foul? Have to be a red card for sure?

[travelrover]

Cannibalism is practiced in parts of India and Burma that I am aware of and of course PNG until relatively recently. In the former countries I think it is more a funeral practice so perhaps the meat is cooked. Let's hope so because you can get kuru disease from uncooked human meat which is incurable. Just a thought :-)!

[Ferret]

Have stayed in the back blocks of PNG. Fella in the local village told me in another village not far from where I was staying (~2 hours by foot) the sharman was eaten only 3-4 years ago. Old bloke in that village claims he's had black, white and yellow. White is said to be best I was told. [bigwhistle]

[Saitch]

When I was at a good Catholic college, we were told by one of the Brothers that humans were good tucker for other humans as they have all the right ingredients to sustain another.
Steve

[ramblingboy42]

Some families eat the placenta following childbirth...is that cannabalism?

[Rextheute]

I wouldn't eat a Clown ...........they taste funny .






And I'm outta here !

[travelrover]

Have stayed in the back blocks of PNG. Fella in the local village told me in another village not far from where I was staying (~2 hours by foot) the sharman was eaten only 3-4 years ago. Old bloke in that village claims he's had black, white and yellow. White is said to be best I was told. [bigwhistle]

I had heard that too, was up the top of the Karawari River at Karawari Lodge (one of Bob Bates places) in the mid 80's and there was an old guy, Philip who was thought to be 80ish he was said to have been a headhunter. Could have just been a yarn for the tourists!

[Don 130]

When very young, perhaps 6 or 7, and with my father in NZ, he asked a very old maori woman who had tattooing chiseled into he chin, if she'd eaten human flesh. She said 'Pakeha (white man) very salty'.
Don.

[JDNSW]

When I was in the Southern Highlands of PNG nearly fifty years ago, living in the Bosavi area, I was told that according to the government the last case of cannibalism was about 'ten years ago', but the resident anthropologist told us it was "four months ago".

In this area it was considered part of normal funerary customs.

Cannibalism, in my considered view, is uncommon, for two major reasons. The first one is social - people who habitually eat their neighbours make bad neighbours, and tend to get eliminated eventually. The second is a public health one - eating humans tends to spread disease (the example of Kuru is given above) but other diseases are more easily spread even if not exclusive to cannibalism, especially if the food is not well cooked.

John

[crash]

Simple answer - we all have names.

[trog]

Simple answer - we all have names.

Not when we are made into Soylent green.

[DiscoMick]

Didn't the Maoris eat several English ships'crews?
I remember visiting the former Thai capital Ayutthaya which was besieged by a huge Burmese army in about 1767. After a long period the city residents ran out of food and some reports say they began eating each other.

[Roverlord off road spares]

The thing with humans is, it doesn't matter what colour the outside is, it's all still white meat.:Rolling::Rolling::Rolling::Rolling:

[crash]

Their was a Rugby team that ate some their teammates once.

[bob10]

The starving Japanese in New Guinea ate the flesh of dead Aussie soldiers, and what is not well known is that the survivors of the ship the book Mobi Dick was based on, having set off to South America in two small ships boats, actually voted to draw straws to determine who would be on the menu.

[alittlebitconcerned]

I've chewed my fingernails.

[Roverlord off road spares]

In the movie Sweeney Todd they made great pies for this meat source.
or Soylent Green, gathering supplies


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wa4U6TQlNI

[bob10]

When we came to Brighton, I joined the Redcliffe Settlers golden oldies rugby team. In that team was a Keni Viliame Nalatu. He was an officer in the Fijian army, and played in the centres for Fiji rugby. His son played for the Qld Reds, and the Brighton roosters ,his daughter for Qld netball. He was also the Fijian Gov. representative in Qld. After oldies games, the Kava was passed around, [ although illegal] and we talked about his service. He was in command of a Fijian Company during the Confrontation with Indonesia. The word was spread around that the Fijians were cannibals, and it was detrimental to the Indonesian soldiers morale. Upon questioning Keni, over a muddy bowl of Kava, he admitted his ancestors were indeed, cannibals. How far back he would not say.

A brief history of cannibalism in the Fiji islands 4/18/2011 – jonahvatunigere (https://jonahvatunigere.wordpress.com/2011/04/18/the-history-of-cannibalism-in-the-fiji-islands-4152011/)

[Hall]

Two cannibals decide to start eating a guy from each end. After a bit one of then asks the other how is it going? Great the other replied I`m having a ball....[bigwhistle] Annny way could be a way to deal with those pesky 457 visa people taking our jobs. Nothing like a bit of Indian or Asian tucker [tonguewink]
Cheers Hall

[Saitch]

Our indigenous brethren were known to partake of morsels from the deceased, according to Thomas Petrie in his memoirs.
Steve

[V8Ian]

The thing with humans is, it doesn't matter what colour the outside is, it's all still white meat.:Rolling::Rolling::Rolling::Rolling:
But some are more game than others.

[bob10]

Some true stories about cannibalism in Fiji. Also interesting to know that Torres strait islanders practised it to such an extent, seamen dreaded going near the place.

Cannibalism in the Fiji Islands: We Are Eating Your Tongues! (http://www.heretical.com/cannibal/fiji.html)

[bob10]

The thing with humans is, it doesn't matter what colour the outside is, it's all still white meat.:Rolling::Rolling::Rolling::Rolling:

And you know this because.....?

[Roverlord off road spares]

And you know this because.....?
Because they say that Human flesh is very close to pork, and pork is white meat.

[bob10]

Because they say that Human flesh is very close to pork, and pork is white meat.

Not from experience, that is a relief.

[DiscoMick]

Skin pigment is only on the surface. Don't you watch murder or medical shows?

[bob10]

Skin pigment is only on the surface. Don't you watch murder or medical shows?

Not through choice. But I suppose I should have known from my old indigenous friend from the Territory, when asked if there was a word for an Uncle Tom in his slang, and he said it was coconut. Black on the outside, white in the middle.Tastes ok too.

[DiscoMick]

Tasmanian escaped convict Alexander Pearce, who was convicted of cannibalism in 1824, said: 'Man's flesh is delicious. It tastes far better than fish or pork.'
Alexander Pearce - Wikipedia (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Pearce)

[DiscoMick]

Cannibalism is found in classic children's stories e.g. Hansel and Gretel is thought to be about cannibalism and the Great Famine of 1315-21, when people abandoned their children because they couldn't feed them.

Hansel and Gretel are the young children of a poor woodcutter (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumberjack). When a great famine settles over the land, the woodcutter's second, abusive (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abusive) wife decides to take the children into the woods and leave them there to fend for themselves, so that she and her husband do not starve to death, because the kids eat too much. The woodcutter opposes the plan but finally, and reluctantly, submits to his wife's scheme. They are unaware that in the children's bedroom, Hansel and Gretel have overheard them. After the parents have gone to bed, Hansel sneaks out of the house and gathers as many white pebbles (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pebble) as he can, then returns to his room, reassuring Gretel that God will not forsake them.
The next day, the family walk deep into the woods and Hansel lays a trail of white pebbles. After their parents abandon them, the children wait for the moon to rise and then they followed the pebbles back home. They return home safely, much to their stepmother's rage. Once again provisions become scarce and the stepmother angrily orders her husband to take the children further into the woods and leave them there to die. Hansel and Gretel attempt to gather more pebbles, but find the doors locked and find it impossible to escape.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/04/464.jpg (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1903_Ludwig_Richter.jpg)
Illustration by Ludwig Richter (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_Richter), 1842


The following morning, the family treks into the woods. Hansel takes a slice of bread and leaves a trail of bread crumbs (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_crumbs) for them to follow home. However, after they are once again abandoned, they find that the birds have eaten the crumbs and they are lost in the woods. After days of wandering, they follow a beautiful white bird to a clearing in the woods, and discover a large cottage (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cottage) built of gingerbread (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gingerbread), cakes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cake), candy (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candy) and with window panes of clear sugar (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar). Hungry and tired, the children begin to eat the rooftop of the house, when the door opens and a "very old woman" emerges and lures the children inside, with the promise of soft beds and delicious food. They do this without knowing the fact that their hostess is a bloodthirsty Hag (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hag) who waylays children to cook and eat them (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannibalism).
The next morning, the hag locks Hansel in an iron cage in the garden and forces Gretel into becoming a slave. The hag feeds Hansel regularly to fatten him up, but Hansel cleverly offers a bone he found in the cage (presumably a bone (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone) from the hag's previous captive) and the hag feels it, thinking it to be his finger. Due to her blindness (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindness), she is fooled into thinking Hansel is still too thin to eat. After weeks of this, the hag grows impatient and decides to eat Hansel, "be he fat or lean".
She prepares the oven for Hansel, but decides she is hungry enough to eat Gretel, too. She coaxes Gretel to the open oven and prods her to lean over in front of it to see if the fire is hot enough. Gretel, sensing the hag's intent, pretends she does not understand what she means. Infuriated, the hag demonstrates, and Gretel instantly shoves the hag into the oven, slams and bolts the door shut, leaving "The ungodly creature to be burned to ashes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cremation)", the hag screaming in pain until she dies. Gretel frees Hansel from the cage and the pair discover a vase (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vase) full of treasure (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure) and precious stones (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemstone). Putting the jewels into their clothing, the children set off for home. A swan ferries them across an expanse of water and at home they find only their father; his wife died from unknown cause. Their father had spent all his days lamenting the loss of his children, and is delighted to see them safe and sound. With the hag's wealth (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wealth), they all live happily ever after.

[AndyG]

Have stayed in the back blocks of PNG. Fella in the local village told me in another village not far from where I was staying (~2 hours by foot) the sharman was eaten only 3-4 years ago. Old bloke in that village claims he's had black, white and yellow. White is said to be best I was told. [bigwhistle]

Umm the advice received by a colleague , from a reformed expert , WWII era aka Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel , was that Japanese was best, as the rice imparted a subtle favour. [thumbsupbig]

[AndyG]

I'm going to be deliberately vague as this is a sensitive local topic.
A work colleague was burying a family member over Christmas, on arrival at the Cemetery they were asked not to bury him as he was going to be eaten and it would save digging him up.
This was rejected and some family members set up a vigil to protect the body.
The grave robbers/cannibals mustered up their gang and tried to force the issue.
Police were then called in, and the gang is in jail , without trial, in the basement cells, so they can be closer to the devil.
So i would suggest Cannibalism is fairly active but kept out of the media.

[Ferret]

... Japanese was best, as the rice imparted a subtle favour. [thumbsupbig]

I guessing the method of preparation and presentation would be influencing peoples preferences. [biggrin]

[Nick S]

Two cannibals are sitting in the jungle eating a clown when one looks at the other and asks "Does he taste funny to you?"

Sorry couldn't resist!

[scarry]

The chooks we used to have didn't mind cleaning up the remains of a cooked chicken.....

[Mick_Marsh]

The chooks we used to have didn't mind cleaning up the remains of a cooked chicken.....
My grandmother used to feed boiled chicken ovulations to her chooks.

[Andy130]

It's been said we are only 9 meals from anarchy.

When the demand for food does not diminish but the supply of food runs out...first they come for the cats and dogs.

There are plenty of modern examples of cannibalism - from Leningrad in the 40's to north Korean jails today.

[Roverlord off road spares]

Wasn't there a case in Germany where a guy advertised on the internet for a volunteer to be eaten and some one applied and he murdered him to eat. Why would some one want to be eaten, what graification would it give them?

[Fifth Columnist]

Peter Davison was once very happy to be eaten. [bigwhistle]

[Mick_Marsh]

Peter Davison was once very happy to be eaten. [bigwhistle]
Only because the garden salad had a better union.

[DiscoMick]

Police first thought scene of Teneriffe murder-suicide was 'sick prank', coronial inquest told - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-15/murder-suicide-scene-volke-prasetyo-sick-prank-police-inquest/8527128)

It happens here.

I'm reading 'Kokoda' at the moment and it says some Japanese soldiers, starving and reduced to eating grass during the retreat, were found to have sliced strips of skin from dead bodies, both Australlian and Japanese, and cooked them. Some natives in the area had also been cannibals until earlier in the century, when the missionaries stopped the practice.

[Tins]

Not from experience, that is a relief.

Dunno about that. They're pretty strange down in Tecoma.

[Tins]

Wasn't there a case in Germany where a guy advertised on the internet for a volunteer to be eaten and some one applied and he murdered him to eat. Why would some one want to be eaten, what graification would it give them?

Yes, Mario. The strangest thing about that case is what the German wanted to eat, and that the other guy agreed to. Hint; you have one, and Heather doesn't.

[Tins]

Their was a Rugby team that ate some their teammates once.

Indeed. 1972. The Uruguayan Rugby Team, up in the Andes. So the meat was frozen.

Thing is, what do you expect from rugby players??

[landy]

Some families eat the placenta following childbirth...is that cannabalism?

Yes it bloody is! Regardless of how good it is for you.

[Saitch]

Regardless of how good it is for you.

I find that hard to swallow!
Steve

[DiscoMick]

Prasetyo, Volke struck deal that led to murder-suicide (http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/prasetyo-volke-struck-deal-that-led-to-murdersuicide-20170515-gw5hgj.html)

[loanrangie]

Prasetyo, Volke struck deal that led to murder-suicide (http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/prasetyo-volke-struck-deal-that-led-to-murdersuicide-20170515-gw5hgj.html)

He went a bit overboard to have an authentic Nasi Goreng, he just had to have real Indonesian ingredients :evil:.

[tact]

After all, we've been eating each other for many thousands of years.
Dr Karl says it might be because humans are actually not very nutritious. That's a relief...
Dr Karl: Why isn't cannibalism more common? - Science News - ABC News (http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2017-04-18/dr-karl-why-isnt-cannibalism-more-common/8449450)


Cannibalism: Simultaneously solves both human overcrowding and obesity problems (assuming the eaten are the properly fattened).....

[ATH]

I can never understand the horror many people express at the thought of people eating other people. Not nice having "thigh steaks" on the menu in restaurants I suppose but if it's done privately, like killing and eating the neighbour'wife you hate etc, I don't see it as a problem.
As for the furore about Asians eating cats and dogs, as far as I'm concerned the more they eat the better for the environment.
Get stuck in everyone, eat drink and be merry whomsoever you may be consuming.
AlanH.

[DiscoMick]

Black Labrador is supposed to be a delicacy.

[loanrangie]

I worked with a Malaysian chef and he said Alsatian was his favourite.

[DiscoMick]

Soju is supposed to go well with dog, say Koreans.

[JDNSW]

My son spent a semester as an exchange student in Korea - says he did not try dog as there was no way a student could afford to go to that flash an eatery.

(That's his excuse, anyway!)

[Hall]

I thought a dog food restaurant would be a bit ruff.....
Cheers Hall

[Tins]

If one was starving I imagine one would eat anything. There are numerous examples that suggest I'm right.

That said, I'd need to be bloody hungry before I ate haggis.

[carjunkieanon]

Some POW's during the battle of Stalingrad ate slivers of meat from the huge (and daily increasing) pile of corpses. Apparently those who ate were almost immediately identifiable as their skin took on a healthy pink colour instead of the waxy green/grey of the starving prisoners.


My mother-in-law from Hong Kong was telling me a story about one of their family dogs that disappeared while tied up outside a shop. I jokingly said, "It was probably eaten". She instantly replied, "No, it was a western dog, Chinese dogs taste better."

[DiscoMick]

I once asked a former refugee student if he had ever had a pet dog. 'Yes, we did, but we ate it, ' he said.