Peckin' order

Almost every type of living creature on this earth lives with what has come to be called a pecking order. This is a domination of others by a strong member of a group who bosses other members of the group (herd, flock, pack, etc.) to reflect their own egos and beliefs.

This seems to be true whether the creatures are as tiny as mice or as big as humans. Pecking and picking on others doesn't seem to have much to do with size, strength or intelligence, only attitude and temperament.

It was probably called pecking order because it is easily observed in a flock of chickens. Introduce a strange chicken into an established flock. Others will turn on the stranger and harass and pick on it - sometimes even to the point of killing it. I once saw a flock of Barred Rock chickens peck a Buff Orpington pullet to death. Her only difference was a buff color.

New introductions into established groups are almost always picked on and dominated by members of the group (herd, flock, pack, etc.) None dare return the bullying. If they try, they will be punished by members of the group until a new hierarchy is achieved in the entire group.

Worse by far is mankind, especially immature humans, who use their intellect to harass and bully anyone different or weaker than themselves. We often see this in schools where the child who dresses or acts differently is ostracized and picked on, becoming a victim of the pecking order - or bullying - brought on by thoughtless acts of cruelty by ignorant animals.

They feel a real separation that often turns to anger. Group members often adopt an elitist attitude. They consider themselves smarter and better informed so they reject anyone who looks or seems different. They take advantage of those who lack power. They seek to lord it over their inferiors.

It is probably this old pecking order instinct that leads politicians, legislators, CEOs and others in high positions, to look at others with disdain. They come to look on themselves as being different, wiser, stronger and more deserving. Those legislators are the ultimate bullies, affecting the entire country with their pecking order.

This elitist thinking that pervades society from the youngest children to the top echelons of government is at the core of much of today's violence and social dysfunction.