Aposematism in Human Social Signaling

This one might trigger a few people… 😅

It's not an attack. It's an exploration.

NOTE: there is no current scientific basis for what I’m introducing here. I’m riffing… but there is a connection to evolutionary biology and I find the conclusion compelling. 

Aposematism in Nature.

"Aposematism is the advertising by an animal, whether terrestrial or marine, to potential predators that it is not worth attacking or eating. This unprofitability may consist of any defenses which make the prey difficult to kill and eat, such as toxicity, venom, foul taste or smell, sharp spines, or aggressive nature. These advertising signals may take the form of conspicuous coloration, sounds, odours, or other perceivable characteristics. Aposematic signals are beneficial for both predator and prey, since both avoid potential harm.”

You can picture a few examples off the top of your head: the poison dart frog, porcupines, pufferfish, or the highly venomous blue dragon of Australia.

The question I'm exploring is: does aposematism exist in humans?

Aposematism in Humans.

Do humans ‘broadcast’ their toxicity, and erect sophisticated defences to warn and ward off potential predators, using 'conspicuous coloration, sounds, odours, or other perceivable characteristics'?

I’ll let you decide...

What I find compelling is my lived experience of this...

For a decade of my life—my entire twenties—I had a big black lip ring. I wore bright, confrontational colours in high school. Elaborate chains, upside-down crosses, scissor necklaces, you name it.

Some of it was innocent and playful self-expression. But that boy carried a lot of pain inside of him. A lot of hurt, confusion, sadness, and anger.

It was ‘edgy’ and they were good fidget toys. But there was another part of me that used it as a warning. A shield. Oftentimes it was a protection for the other person, somehow helping me 'bite my tongue'. 

I was angry, intelligent, and good with words. A dangerous combination. Because the verbal lashings I could deliver when someone got on the wrong side of me were devastating. I could pick someone apart, find where it would hurt most, and hit them there. It’s a part of me I still fear, and I’ve become quite a quiet and peace-oriented person as a result.

It was—like any good aposematic marking—both a personal defence and a warning to predators. What I lacked in physical strength, I made up for in verbal assaults. Engage at your own risk.

I had the whole 'scene kid' period too. Dying my hair fire hydrant red, obscure and abnormal black/white colour combinations, bright markings and clothing everywhere and every day. It’s easy to say “It’s just personal expression!” and shrug it off. Which is true! 

But the question is: what are you trying to express?

• A call for help. A bright and glaring “notice me! I’m in pain.”
• A warning. “Do not fuck with me.”
• A form of protection. “You can’t hurt me, my armour is up.”

Some of my experience was just a phase. It was just discovering who I was and finding ways to be unique. But also, some of it wasn’t. As I've done my own healing work, as I've gotten honest with myself, I know that some of it was a call for help that I couldn’t say out loud. A lot of it was an elaborate defence system, a sophisticated series of warnings and protections against the pain and the predators I perceived in the world. Both are true.

So maybe—just maybe—when someone is trying to tell you who they are, you should listen.

When someone is broadcasting an elaborate construction of defence and offence, a signal of toxicity radiating out into the world, you keep yourself and everyone around you safe, and far away.

And you're probably wise to not: give them a seat in government, let them read sexual stories to young children in school, allow them to meet with malleable and naive pre-teens, or engage with them like a ‘project’ that you can ‘fix’.

And yes, if you believe any of what we’re discussing here, this opens the door to real compassion.

They might be in pain, they might have had some truly horrific things happen to them in the past. You can be compassionate, understanding, and loving.

BUT... do you have the appropriate training to handle venomous animals? Do you know how to treat poison? Can you read the markings of coral snakes?

Red Touch Yellow - Kills a Fellow.
Red Touch Black - Venom Lack.
Yellow Touches Red - Soon You'll Be Dead.
Red Touches Black - Friend of Jack.

What makes you think these situations are any different? If you don’t know what you’re doing, you’re going to get wrecked. 

I sure did. I've watched many others get wrecked too. And I've helped them heal from that. You, your loved ones, your society, and other members of your human family might get hurt.

Aposematism in humans is real. Listen to what the world broadcasts. It’s speaking to you all the time.

Stay safe out there, I love you.
EB.