Most humans seem to take offense upon learning that they have been lied to; yet nearly all these same humans gladly embrace all manner of other lies until/unless something forces them to see a truth; and these same humans will not hesitate to lie if they believe doing so helps them or advances their agenda. This is a successful survival strategy more often than not in evolutionary terms, which is perhaps the main reason it persists. Yet it is also a huge retarding factor in many areas of human progress, since problems can never be dealt with effectively and overcome until the truths about the problem are known and accepted.
Lying is not a uniquely human trait; other primates have been shown to engage in the behavior. A lower level monkey may lie to his group by screaming a warning of danger, when no danger exists, in order to give him time to finish the food he would probably not otherwise get...it would likely be taken from him by higher ranking members. Obviously this is a part of our innate nature from long before humans existed. We must remember that, in evolutionary terms, in genetic drives, survival is the goal, not being honest. Many of us like to think that we humans have overcome this, that we have developed a "moral sense" which overrides this particular survival instinct. Yet, when it is actually tested, it is shown that this is very seldom the case.
For the majority of humans, lying is simply life, whether on a personal level or national or any other level. Very few Americans would EVER vote for any politician who actually spoke the truth, even though very few Americans would even recognize many of the truths spoken. But a few would be recognized, and that would be enough to put the candidate in the "also ran" column. This is one of the many reasons why I long ago gave up any hope I may once have had that humans will ever progress very much in the areas of what most claim to believe are the "best" aspects of humanity; kindness, compassion, empathy, generosity, good will toward all. The truth is that very few humans actually consider these good things except in abstract philosophical terms, or when they are on the receiving end. If there is a cost involved; when the facade of "civilization" slips slightly during "hard times", lying, cheating, greed, even violence and murder, can quickly replace these supposedly "higher aspects of our nature".
Is it not odd that probably most people would indeed consider these; the empathy, kindness, compassion, etc., the better or "higher" aspects of our nature...but ONLY when they are easily affordable? I don't think it is odd at all if you remember that we are, in fact, animals, with most of the inherited "survival strategies" of all our ancestors still embedded in our genetic code and in the workings of our brains. This will never change, it CANNOT change, until those who understand this and who have the will and ability TO change it on a molecular level start to do so. If humanity were seen as a single entity, perhaps we could see that it would be so incredibly, hopelessly, insane that it has no possibility of long term survival. We have existed as "anatomically modern humans" for only about 6 minutes on the Cosmic Calendar Year; a mere blink of time in the history of our planet. We have only had writing for about 10-15 seconds. Dinosaurs ruled for tens of millions of years, and probably would still be the dominant life form here, except for random events.
I have no doubt at all that humans, as we currently understand the term, will soon reach the end of our "blink". We are, as far as we know, the only living things to have ever had the capacity to understand and direct our own evolution. We have yet done very little in that regard. The only two possibilities are that we will adapt or die; the Absolute Dictum of evolution. If something arises from the ashes of humanity, it may well become the pinnacle, at least in this section of the universe, of genuinely intelligent life. If not, we will join the millions of other now extinct species, the "also ran" candidates. Which would you genuinely prefer?
I would prefer that genuine intelligence emerge, guided by "the better angels of our nature". As long as I am able I will likely engage in talking, blogging, debating issues of the day because, for me, what else is there? I am always thrilled and excited when I learn of new discoveries that offer real hope of vastly improved and extended human lives, even while knowing that I personally will almost certainly never benefit from them. It is for such reasons that I remain grateful for the one universally accessible and applicable escape from the psychosis that is humanity.
From a "God's eye" view of this planet and its creatures, especially us, the whole thing would be comical, were it not for the genuinely unimaginable amount of pain and suffering, so much of it self inflicted. Our tools have changed enormously...WE have not, because, to this point, it has been impossible. It is now becoming possible; whether we recognize it and use it remains to be seen. For now... Ecclesiastes 9, [adjusted].
9:2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the [bad]... .
9:3 This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.
9:4 For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
9:6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
9:7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart;...
:7
9:9 Live joyfully with whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, ...for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.
9:10Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
9:11 ... the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
9:12 For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
9:16 ...Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
9:17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one [fool] destroyeth much good.
TRB
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