The "100 men versus a gorilla" is a thought experiment and viral internet debate that asks whether one hundred unarmed male humans could defeat a single silverback gorilla in a fight. The scenario usually imagines a confined, natural environment with no weapons and no combat training for the men
. Origins and Popularity:
- The question first appeared on Reddit's r/whowouldwin in 2020 and gained viral traction on TikTok in 2022.
- It resurged widely in 2025 after YouTuber MrBeast jokingly asked for 100 men to fight a gorilla, sparking massive social media discussions
Scientific and Expert Opinions:
- Primatologists and experts generally agree gorillas are incredibly strong and powerful, with muscle fibers adapted for explosive strength far beyond humans pound-for-pound.
- However, gorillas are not typically aggressive and tend to avoid conflicts, especially against large numbers
- Experts like Tara Stoinski and Michelle Rodrigues suggest that humans' ability to cooperate, coordinate, and take turns attacking could eventually wear down a gorilla, despite the danger and injuries the men would suffer
- If humans attack one at a time, the gorilla would likely prevail, but if the men can attack simultaneously and work together, the numbers advantage is significant
- The gorilla's stamina is limited, and prolonged fighting against fresh attackers would exhaust it
- The physical constraints of fitting 100 men around a gorilla at once complicate the scenario, but waves of coordinated attacks could overcome the gorilla's strength
Summary:
- While a single gorilla is vastly stronger than a single human, 100 men working together could theoretically overpower it by using numbers, coordination, and endurance.
- The fight would likely be brutal and dangerous, with casualties among the men, but the gorilla would probably tire and be overwhelmed eventually.
- The debate remains speculative and is mostly a fun thought experiment rather than a realistic scenario
In essence, the consensus among experts leans toward 100 men having the upper hand due to coordination and numbers, but not without serious risk and difficulty.
