We humans are
an amalgam of characters… some might even say we represent the “flotsam and
Jetsam” of the unknown zygotic universe.
Harsh
thought? Maybe… then again, maybe not. Perhaps today I am being influenced by a
bad flu aftermath; my head not wanting to accept much in the way of
explanations or of softening elements to what I see and feel.
Earlier
today, still feeling a bit sorry for myself and my own personal health state, I
was lying down (seems I have done a lot
of this lately) and watching one of my favorite channels: Discovery
Channel. The show was about some of the
tribal civilizations which still inhabit the Nile
River Valley ,
as well as other parts of the desert in Egypt
As
one sees this unfold, albeit in a documentary, there are moments of sheer lack
of understanding… Oh My God! They are still living in the 7th century… how
poor!... how miserable must they be!... imagine… no cars, no air conditioned
comfort, no supermarkets, no FaceBook, no Twitter, no…. whatever… Then, little
by little, it begins to dawn on this viewer that they don’t miss any of these
wonders of modern living. They go on in their universe, living, eating, working
and, in general, carrying on with a lot less stress than we carry on within our
own universe.
I
started to mentally compare the lifestyles of each universe. On the one hand,
the one I have come to know and –at times- grudgingly accept. On the other
hand, a universe lacking in the aforementioned comforts and modern
conveniences, but which provides its denizens with a reliable day to day
living, low stress factor, and where family life still is the center of each nuclear
grouping. Who gives up more?
We
give up a degree of individuality and privacy; we give up the ability to
survive without the constant humming of the electric power grids, the sounds of
the car engines which announce they are ready to carry us from here to there
and back. We become used to ingesting chemicals which are needed to have the
food we buy look good after too long a time since harvest or gathering or, in
the case of animals, their butchering. And in doing this, we harbor new and
ever more impacting illnesses.
We
give up part of our inner core of who we are, so that this can be shared
–whether we wish it to be or not- with others within that other universe of our
creation, the virtual one. Along with these, we may also be giving up the right
to shape our future, since decisions which are incumbent to this are often
taken by others and we get to know them after the fact(s).
On
the other hand… what do these folk and other groups around the world who have
managed to hold on to their ways and who go on with their traditional lifestyle
give up? … Well… all of the above complications. Yes, they give up some
creature comforts and being part of an ever faster universe of changing
cultures but, have you considered that they may not want to be a part of these
changes? That their way of life just suits them fine and that “our” way would
just not make it with them?
We,
as “good Samaritans” insist their ways are long gone and obsolete. That they
will not hold up to the new world… that we should do our utmost to bring them
into –albeit kicking and complaining- our way of life. Sometimes I wonder if
this is a desire born of true good “samaritanism” or of plain envy when we see
them go on with their simple lives without the need for all those accoutrements
of our modern world like attorneys, cell phones, computer tablets, psychiatrists,
and the like… I say let them be and let us try to fix our own issues, without
dumping them unto others who are doing just fine, thank you.
As
an almost Non-Sequitur… We have enough problems with which to deal right in our
own backyard. In our society, we come across some members whose existence’s value
could come into question. I know, we are all part of this human kaleidoscope
but, every once in a while we are put face to face with some examples which
bring to the fore a deep questioning of the concept of human evolution. Yes,
these specimens are also people and I guess needed in the overall scheme (for some yet unfathomable reason) but
these extreme examples truly do not add much to society at large, except an
additional load which the rest of us have to share. And no, I do not refer to
those who are physically handicapped or have proven learning disabilities. These last two groups, when given a chance, often perform well beyond expectations.
Are
these misfits the result of a society which has little time for those who do not conform
to its core beliefs or structures? Perhaps… Are they the result of an unplanned
detour by a better spermatozoid, allowing a not so good “cousin” to get ahead
in the race to fertilization? Maybe…
The
point is, when I come face to face with one such fellow human, the obligated
question is… “are you sure your ‘zoid was the fastest one, or did it cheat?”
Be
Well … Be Back!!!
Final Notes:
- Pray for those who are fighting an illness which
may take them away from their loved ones… Every request is heard, and
counts!!
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Otra Caja de Pandora”… The
Spanish language Blog… “otracaja.blogspot.com”
… Bienvenidos!!!
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