I would like to discuss the origins of human violence.

No, not violence against women. Just plain old garden variety violence. The kind that is 'practiced' every day. The kind that kills people, or the kind that demeans people, or the kind that ...

Oh, I see. You are not convinced that there is more than one kind of violence? Hmmmm...

[thinking]

Well, I am not so sure either, really. But many people who know --- people who are experts at such things --- have many different categories and protocols and even definitions of violence...

You are still skeptical... but I am not sure I understand your, or rather, the origins of your skepticism.

Ah, I see ... you are what they call a lumper, I guess, rather than a splitter?

For you, all forms of violence stem from the one --- dare we say primordial? -- source ... the wellspring of all violence on Earth?

OK. I can credit that, at least for now. We can have, or continue, I guess, our discussion on that basis, based on that premise.

So then: what is that single source?

This I Know

We need to talk.

Yes, you and I, to start. There will be lots of time to bring in others later. For now, it should be just the two of us.

No. Nothing like that... nothing illegal or immoral or even slightly discomforting. It's just that we are starting with first principles. A certain level of trust, not to mention basic understanding, is necessary for that to work. We will be discussing things that very few people discuss with others -- and even fewer discuss in public.

Exact. A private chat, for now, between equals.