On the ordinary human's love for pain, or; why won't they read the FAQ's, anyway? With a secondary consideration of why rats are still with us, despite millennia of our efforts at eradication, and may remain after we are gone.
Scenario One:
Human A approaches a device, setup, or gizmo. Human A decides to give it a try.
Human A: Hmmm... Never saw one like this before.
I wonder... Zzzzzzt!
Wow! What the... Zzzzzzzzt!
C'mon now, it's just a... Zzzzzzt!
Owwww!
Human A sees Human B walking by. Human A calls out to Human B.
Hey! Take a look at this thing. There's like a button here, and when you... Zzzzzzzt!
Human B: Really? I had one like that once, and... Zzzzzzzt!
Wait a minute; I remember now, you just... Zzzzzzzzzt!
No, that wasn't it. It was the other way... Zzzzzzzt!
Owwww!
Human C approaches, is flagged down by A and B.
Humans A and B explain their problems.
Human C examines the device, points to an inscription above the button:
Warning! Do not touch! Electric shock hazard!
Human C then points out another sign below the device:
For safe maintenance, disable this device by pulling lever. (arrow points to lever)
Human C nods to A and B, continues on his way.
Human A: Who has time to read all that? All I wanted was to ... Zzzzzzzt!
Human B: Yeah! I've been working with these since I was a kid, and... Zzzzzzt!
Human A and Human B: Owwww!
Scenario Two:
Rat A: I see an unknown. I will examine it... Zzzzzzt!
After backing off and observing for a considerable time, Rat A approaches the device cautiously, whiskers extended, alert and ready to flee... zzz...
Rat A: Here is danger without reward. I will avoid it.
Rat A bypasses the device, sees a second unknown object.
Approaching with caution, Rat A extends whiskers, lightly brushes object.
Encouraged by lack of negative consequences, and smelling food nearby, Rat A pushes gently on the object with his nose.
Click - chunk, a greenish pellet drops out of an aperture.
Rat A: Ah, a food pellet! I will enjoy it.
Rat A continues pushing and consuming until satiated.
Rat B, a female, approaches.
Rat A assumes non-threatening posture, indicates readiness to share food and socialize.
Rat B, assured by A's posture and presence, seeks out device and feeds successfully.
With hunger satisfied, they mate.
Rat A continues journey through life, cautiously on the lookout for opportunity.
Rat B settles down near the food source to produce and raise a large family.
No doubt there will be a Rat C along in due time.
So now, have we learned anything by reading this story, Humans?
Zzzzzzzzt!