The way I perceive reality is troubling. I don’t know if it’s that I have an unrealistically bleak outlook, or that I’m too emotionally weak to accept the truth. But it’s hard to get my head around.
It seems to me that humans are evolved to seek advantage in whatever way we can. We find our place within the social structure, and then develop ways of pursuing power and status. These ways can be hugely diverse and obscure, but what links them all is some demonstration of fitness. Maybe we cultivate our appearance. Our sense of humour. Athletic prowess. Our knowledge. Or our artistic talent. Our moral standing. Or any number of other things that show what unique and talented individuals we are. Look how wonderful I am.
I’m not saying it’s conscious. What I’m saying is the root of all behaviour is this drive to be valued by others – even if we consciously feel that we don’t care. We’re seeking status with everything we do – everything that makes us feel good. And that’s a competitive pursuit. For your importance to rise, that of others has to fall – they have to be frustrated.
Why is this a problem? I think because it makes me feel that there can never be true peace between two people – there will always be power struggles in any relationship, however small. We will always be looking to assert ourselves over each other, in the tiniest little ways. However much you feel you love someone, you will always be trying to one-up them on some level.
But also because it sucks the meaning out of whatever you value. Why do you want to help others? So people will see how socially conscious you are and your status will rise. Why enjoy the kind of music that you do? So that someone will see how unique and sensitive you are. It’s not conscious, but I feel like it’s behind everything we do. So why do anything?
1 comment
Hii.
Uhmm that’s kind true. Humans are strange, but its not completly true, we are not all like that, some people help because they know what’s pain, and they want to give to the others what most of them didnt get when they need/needed you know.
And most of us just do the things because we like it or we want it, sometimes, but sometimes it guide us to the end of the world but well at least we’ve done it.
Myself, so many times i just do the things hopping for some miracle or to relief the pain.
I believe when you do the things just to call attetion you dont get the real pleasure and sometimes you think that people are soo happy but in fact they are not.