The internet is no stranger to bizarre trends, and on TikTok, Reddit, and YouTube, there has been a chaotic debate that has caught the attention of many. The hypothetical question: could 100 men defeat 1 gorilla in a fight? What started as a silly hypothetical that was posted on Twitter exploded into a widespread debate with many people weighing in, running simulations, and even crafting elaborate battle strategies to defeat the gorilla.
People often toss around the idea of “versus” battles for entertainment purposes; however, this one seemed to strike a chord with many people. This argument is very multifaceted. Some argue strength in numbers, while others argue the gorilla’s raw strength and speed will make it basically unbeatable in hand-to-hand combat.
As typically not face-to-face with these creatures, to put it into perspective, an adult male silverback gorilla can weigh over 400 pounds and be able to lift easily up to ten times is own body weight. An underrated aspect of the gorilla is its sharp teeth. The bite force of a gorilla is about 1,300 pounds per square inch, according to Science Focus Magazine, which is higher than the bite strength of hyenas, grizzly bears, and polar bears–animals known for having jaws of steel. Junior at Elkhart High School, Allen Addison, says, “100 men would easily overpower a singular gorilla. Those who are fighting a gorilla could utilize their surroundings/environment to their advantage, scouting out possible objects as weapons.”
It’s no surprise people believe that 100 men wouldn’t stand a chance; however, others make the argument that coordination and strategy would turn the tide of such a battle. People have suggested such tactics as surrounding the gorilla or attacking it in waves to exhaust it. It’s hard for people to visualize how much one hundred people is, but rest assured, it is a lot of people–more than many have likely ever seen in one place.
At the end of the day, the debate over whether or not 100 men could defeat a gorilla is less about the answer and more about the fascination many share over such a hypothetical. While the gorilla’s incredible strength makes it unbeatable against a human with no heavy weaponry, the sheer number of people and human potential for strategy and coordination, as well as use of the environment, keeps the debate raging on.
