EP 28: | Universe 25 The Mouse Utopia That Became a Warning for Humanity

Welcome to another episode of the Did You Know series with Amish Tripathi!

In this thought-provoking episode, Amish unpacks the legendary Universe 25 experiment —an unsettling story where a mouse paradise turned into a cautionary tale for us all.

Episode highlights:

• Discover the story of John B. Calhoun, the pioneering ethologist behind the Universe 25 experiment.

• Explore the “four phases” of the mouse colony — Strive, Exploit, Stagnation, and Death.

• Reflect on powerful lessons for humanity: urban loneliness, loss of purpose, and rising mental health issues in crowded cities.

Amish reminds us that the greatest lessons sometimes come from the smallest creatures — and calls on us to nurture compassion, meaning, and true community in our lives.

#ImmortalIndiaPodcast #AmishTripathi #Universe25 #HumanSociety #BehavioralSink #Connection #MentalHealth #IndianPhilosophy

References:

The Scientist – Universe 25 Experimentthe-scientist

Wikipedia – Behavioral Sinkwikipedia

Disabled World – Universe 25: An Examination

LinkedIn – Universe 25: A Mouse Experiment and the Terrifying Parallels to Modern Human Society

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Below is a list of reliable sources documenting the Universe 25 experiment conducted by John B. Calhoun. These references include scientific publications, expert analyses, and historical summaries from established institutions.

• Calhoun, J.B. "Death Squared: The Explosive Growth and Demise of a Mouse Population." Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine (1973): 66(1P2):80-88.This seminal paper authored by John B. Calhoun is considered the primary scientific account of the Universe 25 experiment, detailing the methods, results, and interpretations of the project.

• Calhoun, J.B. "Population Density and Social Pathology." Scientific American Magazine (1962): 206(2):139.This earlier publication by Calhoun discusses his research on population density and its behavioral effects, which set the stage for Universe 25 and related studies.

• The Scientist: "Universe 25 Experiment."An in-depth, recent article providing a scholarly overview and citing Calhoun's original work, including discussion of the experiment’s methods and scientific impact.

• Science History Institute: "Mouse Heaven or Mouse Hell?"This historical summary describes Universe 25, its outcomes, and its significance to animal behavior studies.

• Cabinet Magazine: "The Behavioral Sink" by Will Wiles.A detailed, accessible account of the setup, results, and cultural influence of Universe 25, referencing primary sources and Calhoun’s designs.

• Nature: "Why the man behind a 'mouse utopia' disappeared from science."An authoritative science magazine summarizes the creation and outcomes of Universe 25, and its legacy in behavioral research.

• Ramsden, E., & Adams, J. "Escaping the Laboratory: The Rodent Experiments of John B. Calhoun and their Cultural Influence." Bulletin of the World Health Organization / Journal of Social History (2009).Academic review discussing Universe 25 in the context of Calhoun’s career and the wider impact of his findings on science and society.

• Wikipedia: Behavioral SinkThe entry is well-cited and summarizes the Universe 25 experiment with references to Calhoun’s original work and independent reviews.

These references collectively provide both scientific and historical verification that the Universe 25 experiment was a real, well-documented event in behavioral science.

Peer-Reviewed Papers and Original PublicationsReputable Science and History InstitutionsAcademic Reviews and Analysis