Human Nature

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I’ve been reading that in France in the mid-20th century various fringe groups instigated massive protests against the government, building barricades across streets in Paris and causing as much mayhem as they could muster, which was considerable, energy being particularly high when an injustice is believed to have been committed against the people.

Although the demands of the anarchists weren’t well articulated it appears the rub essentially was about class struggles; a class-less communism seeming to be the desired end; freedom to be equals through re-distribution of resources. The result of all the chaos turned out to be a ruthless police crack-down and excessive prison sentences where abominable conditions led many inmates to suicide, which led to more protests and civil unrest.

It all seems too familiar: the tendency to perpetrate violence. Even all-out anarchy appears hidden beneath mankind’s benign exterior. Human nature seeks opposition; someone or something to cast as enemy, the cause of their difficulties, emotions rise, factions unite, shouting occurs, and all Hell breaks loose: another revolution of sorts happens.

The human psyche being what it is I sometimes wonder how periods of peace happen at all.

Freeing the Mind

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As my thoughts drift through the gray mists of partially realized ideas my mind is invaded by abstract anxieties, remorsefulness for past inadequacies, inferior efforts. But such thoughts dissipate, evaporate, then segue into an ethereal cloud mind wandering through multitudes of what might have been, should maybe be, may yet occur. Thoughts free without direction, small intention, wandering mind. Perhaps a good idea will occur.

Ugly Truths

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I’ve been reading, lately, a treatise by a moral psychologist who claims pretty much everyone lies, cheats and steals. Apparently most all of us have such a deeply-held, innate self-interest that, given the opportunity, dishonesty is inevitable.

Excuses made to avoid an unwanted invitation are likely to be lies. We do this, I guess, because we all want to be well-thought of and it’s pretty clear unremitting truth will make anyone pretty unpopular. And when it comes to cheating, laws are set up such that everyone who drives a car will inevitably cheat in some way, at least in terms of speed limits. As far as theft goes, ‘borrowing’ items from one’s workplace, even if justified as improving one’s work efficiency is never the less stealing.

So, as I think about it I guess I have to admit I fit the profile. I can claim, I suppose, I do no grievous harm to any individual. I do have to admit, though, I’m a liar, cheat and thief. The worst of it is I still think I’m a pretty good person.

Surviving the Wilds

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In the midst of a camping trip when conditions become somewhat adverse, one’s mettle is tested. What to do: pack up and go home or remember the pioneers and early explorers who underwent extreme hardships, hostile natives, an unbalanced diet; men (and women) who we remember for their heroism and important accomplishments opening, as they did, the continent for settlement.

I think these things as I sit in the comfort of my pop-up camper listening to the soft purr of the generator suppling power to my various electronic devices.

The mosquitos and rain are pretty daunting, though.

landscape 1

Conspiracy Theory

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I’ve been reading lately about humankind’s inclination to embrace conspiracy theory. When on finds oneself facing what appears to be insurmountable problems it is not uncommon to imagine the existence of a conspiratorial force interfering with and blocking one from resolving problems.

Usually, such ideas of conspiracy are short lived, disappear when difficulties subside, but, in extreme cases, when living in incomprehensible uncertainty, the human imagination may take hold, enhance the powers of malevolent entities, and allow imagined evils to grow, create false realities and extend beyond individual problems to suppose secretive governmental power structures and even cast doubt on the understood nature of the physical universe.

Proponents of conspiracy theories exploit the psychological power of belief and reinforce power over disciples by cherry-picking misleading Biblical texts or in some cases creating ‘sacred texts’ of their own. The truly committed may establish schools to insure their children are believers as well.

I worry the beliefs the flat earthers, election deniers and government conspiracy nuts impose on their children will produce skewed realities, individuals unable to grasp and address the existential issues becoming more real every day.

Realizing the Ungraspable

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I find myself visited lately by an idea, a figment of imagination that, during times of contemplation come and go, hint at an ellusive potential for understanding; thoughts of solutions and resolutions appear, slip and fade replaced by new enigmas always wavering on the edge of consciousness remembered clearly then lost, evaporating, caroming into then out of view; ideas within sight for an instant but ungraspable, mind fluctuating from one ill-defined thought to another, the intangeable true reality beyond reach. Something of value may be there twisting into then out of focus. How long must I wait for the idea to appear.

Existential Truth

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I think it was the philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer who determined that a satisfied desire may be followed by a brief period of peace but that the momentary peace will soon be replaced by a new want; the moment of satisfaction will be lost. Suffering unrealized desire whether selfish or altruistic will be the state in which everyone lives. Which means, I guess, that anxieties will be constant companions throughout our lives.

Humankind, though, has imagination. In order to stay reasonably upbeat and optimistic we conjure favorable scenarios: a benevolent nature, a loving partner, supportive forever friends, lasting economic security. But, of course, things don’t always go as one might desire; scapegoats are needed to save us from our inadequacies.

Sanity requires maintaining faith in our beliefs.

Another School Reunion

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I’ve been thinking lately about what draws people to get-togethers with their former high school classmates years after graduation. It makes sense of course to want to reconnect with those who were good friends, but I suspect those who wish to do so are in the minority, that there are a variety of other reasons compelling attendance.

High school was and is a contrived culture dictated by overseers in an artificial environment with time restrictions, attendance demands and pecking order. Those in charge, aware their charges harbor under-developed brains tolerate them on the basis of their cooperativeness, a fact not lost on the average intelligence who may opt to suck up to those in charge, rebel and play the renegade or simply accept the situation and persevere; we all know which behaviors can expect future social and economic success.

It’s mostly out of curiosity, then, that reunion attendance occurs. Everyone is wondering how so and so made it through life to this point given how tenuous his/her potential survival appeared back then.

Short Term Memory Loss

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My short-term memory isn’t what it once was. I find myself, while visiting with a new acquaintance, forgetting her name before the conversation is over and twenty minutes after dinner is over, I’ve forgotten what I just ate and how many times while retrieving a needed item I’ve forgotten what I was retrieving. I guess I find these small memory slips more amusing than concerning but the realization the issue is a symptom of age and is degenerative is undeniable.

The upside, though, of short-term memory loss is I’m less inclined to hang onto negative occurrences. Experiencing the moment in terms of past memories leaves time for contemplation. It’s good, I think, to feel a sense of peace in aging.

Remembering College

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I recently found myself sitting in the student union of the college from which I matriculated forty years ago. I got lost in the maze of corridors finding my way; it’s all quite unrecognizable, but the ghost whispers of remembrance conjure vague memories of classes, activities, acquaintances and competitive exchanges. I remember the hierarchy of college authority, an authority based on what one knows, sometimes, but sometimes on pure bravura. Wondering why, why students seek more school whether the commitment is for the pure love of learning, aimed at future employment or just four more years of little responsibility. Maybe it’s the assumption of future success; maybe the belief is, to paraphrase Woody Allen: ” all one needs to do to succeed in life is just show up.”

On this weekend day the campus is mostly deserted. It feels cold and alien despite the big light filled windows, the carpeting and comfortable chairs. Huge public money goes into these edifices, the intention being to produce productive citizens. I wonder if that’s happening.

On the upside, four years of liberal arts education will likely produce more liberal voters.