cynthetickravings...
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
With all that's going on in Haiti, I am considering the nature of altruism. What on earth is 'altruism'? I prefer to think of it in terms of evolution and survival of the species. There is an evolutionary reason for compassion and kindness. There is a time to be selfish, competitive, manipulative and there is a time to rescue others, express compassion and empathy. I recognize that both these archetypical drives are within me and they make me most human.
With all that said, evolution and survival probably includes fearing extinction/death. The earthquake in Haiti is reminding me of my mortality and humanity's, (as Nietzsche wrote) will to power. Mortality is a scary thing and over time we have developed spiritual traditions to ease this meaninglessness, or existential despair. We spend our entire lives trying to survive longer, procreate, rescue, kill, nurture and oppress. As specific chains of protein types, we humans sure have bullied and dramatized our way to the top. Now we own the planet. And the planet is reminding us of our insignificance. A simple earthquake caused thousands of lives. There is something terrifying about being a mere mortal. It drives us to be altruistic, empathic and compassionately heroic.
"It's an insane world but I'm proud to be part of it."- Bill Hicks
... posted
at 12:38 PM by C.flava.
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Friday, January 15, 2010
Stefan Sagmeister: The power of time off | Video on TED.com
... posted
at 2:05 PM by C.flava.
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