It is my belief that Behavioral Sink applies to humans as well as rats. It likely applies to all sentient creatures. When a population is taken to their respective utopias (food, warmth and shelter) violence and conflict subside. It is only the inequality and unbalanced distribution of wealth that leads most populations to violence among one another, as a rule, in my opinion.

Our level and efficiency of productiom at this point in our history would allow us to bring a utopian lifestyle to all the world's population yet the value placed on profit in the capitalist system thwarts that utopia for the majority of our species.

We may find that the many forms of spirituality are roadmaps to lead us to that utopian lifestyle and offering a faith that it is possible in the next word if not this one. That thinking probably lead Mao to consider religion the opiate of the people. 😎