I guess I'm not fully evolved...

Depending on the species, the instinct to protect the young of the herd / pack / group is a powerful one. I think we've all seen the National Geographic episodes about African waterbuffalos or have seen nesting birds protect their young from predators. It's strange, but I've been feeling the same instincts towards my friends' kids (and more of my friends are getting pregnant it seems...). My friend Anita just recently gave birth to her new son and seeing the pics of the child, I had this very strong sense of love and protectiveness over him.

"But Obi, he's not even your kid. You haven't even seen him, nor is he related!" you might say. An expression I once came across comes to mind - "God chooses the family you're born into, but you choose the family you grow up with" (or something like that - I'm horrible at remembering quotes word for word). Basically it means that even though you may not be born into the family of your friends, your can share a bond equally powerful with your friends as to that of your own kin. And I think in this case, that's sort of what I'm feeling. Anita has been my close friend for a little over 10 years. Even though we've drifted apart at times, I've still considered her family. And through that extension, I feel like the child is part of my family / clan / herd / pack / whatever.

In any case, it's really weird to feel these feelings. I'm normally a pretty emotionally flat guy (I get irritated, amused, etc - but I don't get "furious" or "passionately involved" very often) so feeling a strong sense of "protect the younglings!" is a new feeling for me.

I guess I'm not quite as evolved and separated from the ancient instincts as I thought I was...