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Marc2b -> RE: The Tipping Point (1/25/2010 6:30:48 PM)
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Pyro, don’t let the others rag ya down. It is not a sin to feel maudlin. If we could go out right now for a few beers and long gripe session about what is wrong with humanity – I’d be there. Some beer, some conversation, some Blues music – yeah, being maudlin can be fun.
It is easy to let the state of humanity wear you down. We are a strange species – an animal that sometimes shows a spark of the divine. But mostly an animal. We are a tribal species and hierarchy comes naturally to us. So does self-interest. But we are also an intelligent species and quite clever when we need to be. Is there some social system, that we haven’t quite worked out yet, that will provides us universal good health and happiness? I doubt it. There are just too many of us
If we are to get at least a semblance of universal happiness I think that as a species we need to work with our animal nature rather than try to oppose it. We need to sublimate the negative aspects of human nature and decentralize power so that smaller, more local governments have most of the power, not national governments. If combined with respect for other cultures and individual rights, we might just have a fairly decent world after all. Not that I ever expect to see such a paradigm shift in my lifetime but I try to remain optimistic about humanity none-the-less.
So what is one individual to do amongst this mass of humanity? First, while not abandoning interest in the whole, focus on those humans around you. Get to know them, all of them, as best you can. Keep your charity close by. It can be a little thing like taking out the garbage for the out lady across the hall or giving a ride to work to the guy down the street whose car was totaled. Look into volunteering at the local food pantry or clothes closet. If they don’t exist and there is clearly a need – start one.
Second, try to look for the good, even amongst that which seems negative. Sure, a business that offers to donate a percentage of its sales to Haitian Relief is hoping to make money for itself. But if they are living up to their word then so what if they benefit on the side? If two groups of people (the Haitians and the business owners) both benefit, what is really wrong with that? We should encourage things that benefit the most people. Of course, if they are not living up to their word then they are scam artists but there is a legal system to deal with that and a whole apparatus of media to voice your opinion of them.
Thirdly, try to see the interconnectedness of all things, and how that which is good (and unfortunately, that which is bad – but I want to be upbeat here) spreads. It is not just the Haitians and the business that benefit. Those who the business buys from (inventory, supplies, etc) also benefit. The customer also benefits. They get to feel good about themselves for helping out the Haitians. There is nothing wrong with good feelings and perhaps some of them will take that good feeling and spread it to others.
Lastly, simply accept that despite everything we do, that which will be - will be. That despite all our extraordinary powers – both as individuals and as a species - all we can do is swim the currents while perhaps helping those around us stay afloat. Those who believe that they have control are the ones who are suffering from a delusion.
Be well,
Marc2b
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