HUMAN NATURE

To be human is a strange thing. We have the ability to simultaneously know of our deep histories, are capable of extrapolating our futures based on those events and our current situations, yet most of us are unable to make much of a difference. In a global society where you are a number, like a single raindrop in a rainstorm, how does one cause change for the betterment of themselves and society if they were so inclined?

Many individualists wish to remain that singular raindrop, but many don’t. Many strive for meaning as to why they are rain and what will happen when they hit the ground below. Many seek purpose in the meaninglessness of being rain. This is human nature, allegorically.

Human nature to us are these elements described above but it is also a real understanding of our relationships amongst one another, society, nature, and the universe. How does it all come together? How can it fail? What do we need to do in case it does? What has history to teach us of our nature?

A central point in understanding ourselves and others around us is the acceptance of collective histories as a species of animals on this planet. As society progresses forward there seem to be delusions that we have become better than we once were. In some regards we have, but we are still a lion seduced by barbiturates to make us docile. Many such drugs are coursing through society such as literal medications but also through systems of incentives that require participation. What happens when the lion no longer wants the barbiturate or worse, what happens when the system that administers it fails while it is addicted?

The misanthrope would have us believe that humans are only self-interested, in it for a quick buck, and would destroy anyone in the way of their goals. The humanitarian finds only the positive qualities of cohesiveness, philanthropy, and welfare. The middle of these two are true and will shift to varying degrees as independently unique as the person. Just as a Conservative is a Liberal who has been mugged at knifepoint, a Liberal is a Conservative who is dependent on the State.

When society is stable it eventually falls into disorder. When society is faulting the order eventually returns. There is a natural state whereas society waxes and wanes from order to disorder. We are still a species that collectively around the world sacrificed children and adults a few hundred years ago. In parts of Africa, such as Uganda, ritual child killings still occur to this day (BBC News, “Where child sacrifice is a business,” 2011). These beliefs are to a large part contained today, but they remain just that: beliefs.

Beliefs change society and progress it forward, set it back, or send it in new and interesting directions. Beliefs gave us alchemy and modern medicine. Beliefs gave us gladiators and mixed martial arts champions. Beliefs gave us the bow and arrow and bazooka. Changes in perspective and beliefs can wax and wane in society especially one in great turmoil, which is why ritual child killings still occur in parts of Africa despite many modern conveniences.

It takes but a year of constant stress on a country for tyranny and anarchy to erupt from even the more ardent and cohesive society. The majority of societies are closer to cannibalism than they are to a settlement on the Moon. We have progressed far but have not shored up our faults and the weak links in the chain.

The rise and fall of complex advanced civilizations may have occurred many times before modern human history was recorded. We know that modern humans lived before and during the ice age. The ice age was ended by rapid warming which gave rise to the flood myths of today. During this time existed no less than six distinct humanoids which perhaps gave us myths of giants, man-apes, pygmies, and more. Would it not be conceivable in the 200,000 years of mankind that there could have been several rises and falls of advanced societies?

Paper lasts a few hundred years, but stone can potentially last forever. Only a truly individualistic society with no regards for the future would construct a world made from chemicals which are finite or toxic to the point it hampers reproductive rates which is what we see today in our Westernized societies with hormones and forever chemicals in the water. Some historians argue Rome was also weakened by lead from its pipes and cookware.

The only thing that can match stone’s prominence is through that of storytelling of myths. These stories gave us modern religions and ways of communicating concepts of morality, rules, and laws. It is these stories that can outlast a civilization and the nature of humanity that both bring it fruit but also its demise.