Ishmael and thoughts on humanity
Ishmael by Daniel Quinn had a profound impact on how I see the world. If you have not read the book, I suggest you do. I will not spoil the story, but will muse on ideas it presents.
Humans (us, we) are animals and yet, our culture/upbringing/socializing tells us that we are different from other animals. Culture is not specific as to why we are different (different sub-cultures may have their own rationale), but there are some generalities that seem to prevail:
- We are smarter than other animals
- We are civilized and animals are not
Being smarter is seen as the reason for us becoming civilized. Many of us agree that humans used to be uncivilized, but eventually we 'saw the error of our ways' and made adjustments. We built tools & shelters. We learned to harness fire. For the most part, humans stopped relying on hunting and gathering for food. We developed agriculture and took control of our food sources. This is simplistic, but we've ended up controlling, or at least impacting, a lot more than just the food we eat.
Perhaps, since the agricultural revolution, we humans have continued attempting to control other aspects of the world around us. Quinn suggests, and I'm sure he's not the first, we aspire to be like god if not surpass him.
Maybe unsurprisingly, these notions as presented by Quinn are not a positive. Some people might even agree that there is just something off about humans and the way most of us have chosen to live. Quinn goes even further suggesting that humans are violating vary fundamental laws of life, and yet, like a person in free-fall, believes they've conquered gravity and are flying.
However, the even worse downside is that if we are falling, it's likely not just our lives that we threaten, but most of life as we know it on Earth. Climate destruction. War. Loss of biodiversity. There are many examples that suggest this is true. And we've managed to achieve these things in a very short time.
Interestingly, Quinn suggests a scenario I find fascinating: suppose humans did not destroy life on Earth long enough for a second form of intelligent life to emerge.
An aspect of Quinn's book that both appreciate and struggle with is the lack of a solution.
Peter Senge's thoughts over at The Systems Thinker.