Bonobos Prefer Sharing with Strangers

Blood is thicker than water, but apparently not to Bonobos according to this new study by Duke University researchers:

... bonobos, those notoriously frisky, ardently social great apes of the Congo, prefer to share with a stranger before sharing with an animal they know. In fact, a bonobo will invite a stranger to share a snack while leaving an acquaintance watching helplessly from behind a barrier.

"It seems kind of crazy to us, but bonobos prefer to share with strangers," said Brian Hare, a professor of evolutionary anthropology at Duke University. "They're trying to extend their social network." And they apparently value that more than maintaining the friendships they already have.

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Really... they're like the Twitter users of the animal world aren't they? Wanting to share their own stuff with complete strangers and trying to extend their friendship network as much as possible - even at the cost of relationships that they already have.
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I don't know why that seems crazy to us. It's exactly how many businesses treat their customers, particularly subscription businesses like magazines, internet, cable TV or cell phones. New customers get great deals, come-one, special perks while existing, loyal customers get increased fees, lowered services and crappy service.
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