Humanity is awesome. We've been put on this planet with virtually no guidance as to how to live and grow, save (possibly) a few vague scriptures. We have countless obstacles in our path: disease, poverty, drought, natural disasters, etc., yet we thrive. Most of us work to make the planet a better place in subtle or profound ways. In spite of all the turmoil we see currently, life is better in general on this planet than it ever has been - because Life is the antidote to entropy. We see people starving somewhere? Most of us respond in some positive way. Scientists work for better agricultural techniques and cures for diseases, often with no expectation of financial reward. Artists work to raise money. People give their hard-earned money. Many even give blood, peacefully or otherwise. We're struck with a devastating terrorist blow and we respond with energy and compassion. We don't even know for sure (at least not intellectually) that there is any point to life, yet we embrace it, protect it and revere it. We have two major world wars, and the former enemies later become friends. We create massive cities, incredible works of art, ingenious devices of protection and comfort with no one teaching us. We learn on our own because we are determined to live more positively. We are attacked with hatred, yet we continue to love. We fail, and keep trying. We even have compassion for the most violent criminal offenders in our society. Some of us are so determined to become more loving, creative and responsible that we subject ourselves to cults, dolts and insults. And then when we see we were taken for a ride, and we continue to work towards these ideals, because it's better to be deceived than never have sought. God created the Heavens and the Earth. Quite impressive. Mankind created Stonehenge, the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Vatican, the Blue Danube Waltz, Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, Jazz, Rock and Roll, Romeo and Juliet, Great Expectations, the computer, the automobile, the airplane, the Mona Lisa, the Magna Carta, the American Constitution... Also quite impressive. Disclaimer: there are some notable exceptions
Dear Fluffernutter, It is beautiful, lovely, wise and true. You are enlightened. Thank you. Peace and Love
If I may add some balance by offering my views of some of those notable exceptions. The vast majority of people still suffer from the poverty and disease you mention. It is said that 29000 children a day die of starvation, 365 days a year, and a similar number of kids die daily for want of cheap, basic medical care... They might disagree about life being better than ever. For some, it is, but I don't accept any excuse for why these kids can't be helped. When we can spend 1.2 billion dollars for one bomber designed to kill people, where is the money for some food? Better agriculture? I would prefer the old way... it was sustainable indefinitely. Here, the people maintained and preserved the ecosystem for over 7000 years. In the last 200, it has been totally decimated. Religious people everywhere espouse love but can't get along.... I will stop there. I agree, humans are awesome. So, what is the problem? We know what to do to fix these things, but we aren't doing it in any significant numbers. Love dispells hate and conquers all, I firmly believe that, but the current state of the world makes me wonder when it is going to start doing enough to turn it around.
Yes, it is also true that, when overwhelmed by indifference or fear, humanity all-too-often commits the error of submission to the illusions of power - willful ignorance, hatred, violence and destruction. The worst offenders will claim they "had no choice," "it's not my problem," "'Those people' (whoever they are) require extreme measures," "Just following orders," and far too many other bullshit excuses. But, regardless of their cause, every sane human knows it is untrue and wrong. Of course, anyone who ever hopes to transcend their own blind spot(s) must know humanity is far more than the image painted by our worst examples. The humanity we celebrate, admire, revere, aspire to, the humanity we sometime ARE, embodies those ideals that are independent of, or transcend, our capacity for evil. More simply put, we celebrate the meaningful lives of those who are good, regardless of anything their adversaries do, regardless of their situation or their circumstances. Some of celebrated names who have faced adversity with grace and creativity include: Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Rabbi Akiva, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, Bob Marley, Stephen Hawking, the Amish (who, last month, lost their daughters to a gunman), Nelson Mandela, etc., the list could go on eternally. These days is seems more difficult than ever to resist a pessimistic view of humanity. Maybe it has always been like this. Who knows? But it is good to be reminded that humanity is also loving, creative, compassionate, responsible, wise, enlightened, joyous, mirthful, and on and on and on . . . Peace and Love
