Not specifically about apes or animal cruelty, but about abuse in general. The smallest things pile up and they weigh down on people. Really, the smallest of things, even in a friendly setting, they do have serious impact. Family, friends, or the lack of them, enemies, they chain us. The constant comments raining down on someone, the apparent dependence in having someone, they chain us, and take away our means to resist. Someone I've loved was like that. Very weak, and despite having taken some serious shit, that did not strengthen her, and that is something I always hated. If only she was stronger, everything could've gone better for her. And I myself, in a time of loneliness and when I felt like I had nothing else to hold on to, tried my best efforts to keep an abusive relationship going, it was pathetic, but I took it because I thought there was nothing else for me. Once I finally left that vile creature, I got a bunch of friends and saw that I was good enough after all, people treated me well, I was loved, I was important, it feels good.
Now, I'm not one to say we should be sissies about it, I think the use of insults and arguments is good, develops thick skin, helps people communicate and articulate, even deal with different sorts of pressure. We should not be like dodos, living with no threats will only lead to weakness, as well as a shallow understanding of ourselves and others, and with no means to defend ourselves when any obstacles or dangers present themselves, and that is a truly pitiful existence.