The State of Humanity—To Evolve or Not to Evolve
Humans are pretty disappointing as a species. Yes, we’ve made technological advances and created artistic marvels, but have we really evolved? In this context, I’m not talking about evolution in the Darwinian sense. I’m using the word generally to describe a balanced progression of the human species that will keep us alive and thriving. While we have seen gains in some areas, there have not been coinciding advances in critical aspects of human nature, such as wisdom and compassion. Without these, we are seriously at risk. We will eventually be doomed due to our passions, combined with our technology. Of course, there are sagacious and compassionate people in this world, but they aren’t involved enough in charting our course as a species or making decisions.
What would our evolution look like
What would the world look like if humans evolved past their shortcomings, their conflicts, and their demons? What if one day, we all woke up and realized that we have the means to provide for the needs of all the people, regardless of where they live? This ability is independent of national interests or the creation of wealth, but relies on compassion, wisdom, and the desire to make the world a better place. Humans would treat disagreements with the knowledge that we don’t all think and feel the same, and with an open mind and respect for other perspectives. It is possible to move in this direction; we just have to decide that it is our best path. The path we take is our choice to make.
What we are now and what it would take to evolve
To get to where we want to be, we first have to know where we are and be honest about who we are. Humans are driven by selfishness, greed, and fear. We put national interests above the broader needs of people. We put the right of a very few to amass wealth above the right of everyone to make a comfortable living. We use religious beliefs or patriotism as an excuse to disenfranchise everyone who is not part of our country or religion. We handle conflict in a petty and puerile way—no better than petulant children. As a result, we ignore the significant needs of the planet, its people, and its environment.
Getting on the evolution path
To evolve, we first have to address the forces preventing us from taking steps down that path: selfishness and fear. These two characteristics are interdependent, as selfishness often occurs as a result of fear. Fear is, of course, a natural state that has kept us alive throughout our history. We needed to be on guard against predators and enemies in our past, and fear is a natural defense. But if we can convert that fear into wisdom-based courage, we can start down our path toward evolution. We can realize that we have the ability to provide for everyone, and if we come together behind that realization, we can get over our fear-based behavior. Selfishness arises from the drive for security, and greed is just an amplified sense of selfishness. Selfishness will also subside if we can bring our wisdom to bear and replace it with compassion.
Individual Evolution
Society may be ponderously slow in realizing what needs to happen to evolve, but we as individuals can live that utopian ideal now. We can live a life of wisdom-based courage and reject our selfishness- and fear-based behavior. We can live by example and activism, exposing our lesser-evolved behaviors through words and action.
We can evolve; it is possible. But we have to do it together and with intention.
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