I agree with you on the nine meals metaphor.
I would suspect that not matter who, the average person could be turned into a cold-blooded no-regrets killer in 24 to 72 hours, given the right circumstances.
A man or woman can be hungry.
But most would not sit idly by and watch their children starve or worse.
“Let me tell you something about humans, nephew: They’re a wonderful, friendly people - as long as their bellies are full and their holosuites are working.
“But take away their creature comforts, deprive them of food, sleep, sonic showers, put their lives in jeopardy over an extended period of time and those friendly, intelligent, wonderful people...will become as nasty and as violent as the most blood-thirsty klingon.”
Quark from: The Siege of AR-558 (#7.8)” (1998)
As quoted in my Preparedness Manual which you can download at:
http://www.mediafire.com/?tyoktknynnl