I look forward to the day a majority of people realize that our biology is, to a large extent, something to be overcome. Our "natural" biological impulses are often incredibly destructive, for both ourselves (e.g. sugar cravings) and for those around us (e.g. the impulses in this article).
Our "natural" biological impulses are often incredibly destructive
Tribalism is easily the most destructive of our impulses, especially in the way in which it can interact with ideology. Through ideology, such tribal impulses can camouflage their own effects and short circuit the "better angels of our nature" to excuse the dehumanization end even the slaughter of the out group.
I think that's the last great barrier to humans finally "waking up from history."
In particular, the way tribalism and in-group/out-group psychology interposes itself into political discussions is especially pernicious -- especially in the ways it manifests over the internet in social media. Fear isn't the mind killer. It's ideology combined with tribalism! If humankind ever destroys itself, in all likelihood, some group will have ideologically convinced itself that it should do so for some incredibly noble reasons.
I've been thinking of this as a sci-fi concept recently. On Star Trek all the other races have this singular defining trait, vulcans are logical, klingons are warriors, ferengi are greedy. The defining trait of humans is going against their natural impulses. We evolved from violent savage apes yet strive toward peace. Some choose veganism. Others choose celibacy.
Most people spend a great deal of time fighting their impulses in order to behave in a proper socialized manner: go to work, be nice, clean up, call your mom, don't procrastinate, etc.
> I look forward to the day a majority of people realize that our biology is, to a large extent, something to be overcome.
I look forward to the day a majority of people realize that our biology is something that cannot be overcome. You work with mother nature or you get crushed by her. Those are the only choices available to us.
That is a truly deep thought, I love it. I also think it's begging for clarity - it's right and wrong at the same time depending on what we're talking about.
Whether our "natural" impulses are destructive, they were evolutionary advantages when it comes to pure survival for long periods of history. Craving sugar was a good thing until the last century. The sexual impulses that lead to higher mating success are also evolutionary advantages despite their being destructive and socially unacceptable.
There are known parallels in humans to what this article is talking about. The book "Sperm Wars" mentions many of them https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sperm_Wars The authors go to great lengths to denounce violent behavior, but nonetheless discuss the evolutionary advantages of some behaviors that we do not allow socially.
Look forward to the day? Religion (for whatever its faults) figured this out a long time ago. Man (by which I mean humans) is inherently sinful, though we are intelligent enough to recognize it and be responsible for it. It takes work, guidance, and discipline to live a righteous life.
Don't really see anything new here. Grew up on a farm. Cats beat the crap out of each other in mating season. Horses as well. The stud will typically bite the crap out of her or run her through a fence repeatedly
[+] [-] sethbannon|8 years ago|reply
[+] [-] stcredzero|8 years ago|reply
Tribalism is easily the most destructive of our impulses, especially in the way in which it can interact with ideology. Through ideology, such tribal impulses can camouflage their own effects and short circuit the "better angels of our nature" to excuse the dehumanization end even the slaughter of the out group.
I think that's the last great barrier to humans finally "waking up from history."
In particular, the way tribalism and in-group/out-group psychology interposes itself into political discussions is especially pernicious -- especially in the ways it manifests over the internet in social media. Fear isn't the mind killer. It's ideology combined with tribalism! If humankind ever destroys itself, in all likelihood, some group will have ideologically convinced itself that it should do so for some incredibly noble reasons.
[+] [-] drewrv|8 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Aron|8 years ago|reply
[+] [-] lj3|8 years ago|reply
I look forward to the day a majority of people realize that our biology is something that cannot be overcome. You work with mother nature or you get crushed by her. Those are the only choices available to us.
[+] [-] toomuchtodo|8 years ago|reply
Perhaps machine intelligence will be the better version of ourselves; we're just the bootstrap code.
[+] [-] dahart|8 years ago|reply
Whether our "natural" impulses are destructive, they were evolutionary advantages when it comes to pure survival for long periods of history. Craving sugar was a good thing until the last century. The sexual impulses that lead to higher mating success are also evolutionary advantages despite their being destructive and socially unacceptable.
There are known parallels in humans to what this article is talking about. The book "Sperm Wars" mentions many of them https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sperm_Wars The authors go to great lengths to denounce violent behavior, but nonetheless discuss the evolutionary advantages of some behaviors that we do not allow socially.
[+] [-] avaer|8 years ago|reply
If you recognize it you can vaccinate yourself.
[+] [-] ams6110|8 years ago|reply
[+] [-] sawyer|8 years ago|reply
If not evolution, then what? Doesn't all behavior have an evolutionary basis?
[+] [-] acchow|8 years ago|reply
[+] [-] esaym|8 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Mikeb85|8 years ago|reply
[+] [-] respiratory|8 years ago|reply
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[+] [-] antisthenes|8 years ago|reply
source:
[1]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19085605
[+] [-] dildo_fingers|8 years ago|reply
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