A Choice for Mankind
Admittedly, answers can be difficult to come by. For me it is necessary to look at the negative so that I may move towards the positive and find solutions. Specifically for the sake of all humans we all have to find workable answers together. In the end, it is the "survival of the human species" which we seek. We will need to find a true niche for us in the universe. In the essay after this one I will offer a more positive viewpoint -- for now, however, we have to consider the more difficult 'tracks'.
I have witnessed on film a large snake swallow and consume a full grown crocodile -- but this is not the worst of it. The most feared and ruthless killer in Africa is a vegetarian -- the hippopotamus. I ask you -- why do animals kill? Do we all know that to lose just one fight means that one will be eaten? What should we expect from man?
Certain small cats, such as the bobcat, the lynx and the domesticated kitty, kill more than they can eat -- indiscriminately. The Stigma of the Mentally Ill: Bob Does Everything Backwards
Notice that the 'big cats' and the wolves both use an almost 'humane' way of killing, by quickly cutting off the neck (windpipe) to suffocate their prey. Most all animals do not overkill -- none that I know actually torture. It is my humble opinion that hippos kill for their territory out of fear they are being infringed upon. Many good watering holes are being dried up these days.
What is man's excuse? Why do members of our species kill in excess as well as use torture while harming others? Why are there annihilists who just want to destroy?
The answer could be in our make-up. Humans focus with senses, limbs and fingers quite directly facing the front -- for analysis and concentration. Potential for both good and evil is great. But why are we evil enough to advertise and cause great pain before death? What goes on in our brains?
Take four examples:(1) ISIS who have factions that burn and behead people. (2) Witness the Vice-president of South Viet Nam years ago who passed judgement on a man and on the street shot him in the head (LIFE magazine -- 1969).(3) See the U.S.A.'s executive branch be implicated in torture by 'water-boarding' political prisoners. (4) Finally see the ultimate of modern horror with the Nazi's who made lampshades out of human skin (Dachau).
All of these tortures together beg the question -- what is left? Does violence with the aftermath of torture guarantee that people will be on your side? Why do there have to be "sides" at all? What happens to the witnesses of torture? Do people assume that torture will guarantee extinction of another people? Or set of behaviors? Did early tribal primates eat their enemies after the killing was done? It goes to show that mankind has not evolved out of this survival mode because even with technological growth grave atrocities still occur. Just look at Nazi Germany (or any modern day genocide for that matter).
Once when I was in a psychotic state of mind I believed that aliens were coming to earth to eat the 'inner' brains of humans. I had thought that the aliens would enjoy the "high" provided by biting into our exotic brain chemicals. Though this did not pan out to be a true thought -- our brains do have something to do with torture.
Torture is a way of getting attention and instilling fear. Some people in fear become malleable -- others fight the foe. In short torture is a rallying cry for a people. For the group who is doing the torturing -- they seem to be testing their God (or gods) to see if they should survive or become extinct. They also seem to have the mistaken belief that from their 'righteousness' they can do anything without consequence. In their eyes no rules apply to them.
For the group that is being tortured; they are being told that their presence in the world threatens weaker people. These victims fear extinction and are boxed into a corner. It is this group -- the ones that the torture is being directed towards who determine just how the fight will be won. Does an entire race have to suffer or is this a war of ideas? To show that mankind can evolve at all from the monstrosity of torture then certainly strong quick decisions have to be made. In the end, to make sure mankind is positively evolving, all ideas must be discussed in peace. Guns, swords and plows notwithstanding, we need to talk. True questions of tolerance need to be discussed.
Anger erupts when dealing with others who have a psychological need to hurt other living beings. Good and evil may play roles but definitely the negative may also be attributed to some sort of disease. Although swift action many times must be taken, it should be known that admittedly or not, the core of all of this hate is centered around fear. Why should the mere presence of a group cause so much ill feeling that others want them obliterated? If we are going to hate that much then really why should any man ever really gain, "The keys to any kingdom" at all? Will we never admit that we are weak with fear instead of strong with hate? Therefore it becomes necessary to decently supervise the ill until the innocent are spared or until the healing comes. We really only know how to relate to others in this world once a positive trial can be witnessed. No amount of ostracizing others will solve the problem.
When an animal loses a fight many times it is eaten. Remember that love will mean nothing until we get the notion out of our brains that just by losing one fight we will be obliterated, become extinct or consumed. Too much adrenaline goes into our arguments and games. Never do we consistently act with the wisdom that there will always be another chance. Too often do we see ourselves on a life and death battlefield instead of using the thoughts of an athlete with the knowledge that the next season is just around the corner.[Parenthetically, the ebb and flow of a democracy also means that a new government can peacefully be just around the corner.] Finally -- the last finality -- creates the legacies we want ourselves to live by. Yes, a man should not be known for how he dies; but more for how he has lived. Together we can live and create a joint legacy -- a true good history -- with all of us having a part worthy of a strong and essential review.
In the next posting I will attempt to show our healthy differences as we celebrate our lives as unique beings. Please travel with care -- live with passion -- and do not become indifferent to the lives around you.
Sincerely written, and
Respectfully submitted,
Robert N. Franz
see: amzn.to/1R1Oayq
or check linkage: amazon.com/author/rf3rd
I have witnessed on film a large snake swallow and consume a full grown crocodile -- but this is not the worst of it. The most feared and ruthless killer in Africa is a vegetarian -- the hippopotamus. I ask you -- why do animals kill? Do we all know that to lose just one fight means that one will be eaten? What should we expect from man?
Certain small cats, such as the bobcat, the lynx and the domesticated kitty, kill more than they can eat -- indiscriminately. The Stigma of the Mentally Ill: Bob Does Everything Backwards
Notice that the 'big cats' and the wolves both use an almost 'humane' way of killing, by quickly cutting off the neck (windpipe) to suffocate their prey. Most all animals do not overkill -- none that I know actually torture. It is my humble opinion that hippos kill for their territory out of fear they are being infringed upon. Many good watering holes are being dried up these days.What is man's excuse? Why do members of our species kill in excess as well as use torture while harming others? Why are there annihilists who just want to destroy?
The answer could be in our make-up. Humans focus with senses, limbs and fingers quite directly facing the front -- for analysis and concentration. Potential for both good and evil is great. But why are we evil enough to advertise and cause great pain before death? What goes on in our brains?
Take four examples:(1) ISIS who have factions that burn and behead people. (2) Witness the Vice-president of South Viet Nam years ago who passed judgement on a man and on the street shot him in the head (LIFE magazine -- 1969).(3) See the U.S.A.'s executive branch be implicated in torture by 'water-boarding' political prisoners. (4) Finally see the ultimate of modern horror with the Nazi's who made lampshades out of human skin (Dachau).
All of these tortures together beg the question -- what is left? Does violence with the aftermath of torture guarantee that people will be on your side? Why do there have to be "sides" at all? What happens to the witnesses of torture? Do people assume that torture will guarantee extinction of another people? Or set of behaviors? Did early tribal primates eat their enemies after the killing was done? It goes to show that mankind has not evolved out of this survival mode because even with technological growth grave atrocities still occur. Just look at Nazi Germany (or any modern day genocide for that matter).
Once when I was in a psychotic state of mind I believed that aliens were coming to earth to eat the 'inner' brains of humans. I had thought that the aliens would enjoy the "high" provided by biting into our exotic brain chemicals. Though this did not pan out to be a true thought -- our brains do have something to do with torture.
Torture is a way of getting attention and instilling fear. Some people in fear become malleable -- others fight the foe. In short torture is a rallying cry for a people. For the group who is doing the torturing -- they seem to be testing their God (or gods) to see if they should survive or become extinct. They also seem to have the mistaken belief that from their 'righteousness' they can do anything without consequence. In their eyes no rules apply to them.
For the group that is being tortured; they are being told that their presence in the world threatens weaker people. These victims fear extinction and are boxed into a corner. It is this group -- the ones that the torture is being directed towards who determine just how the fight will be won. Does an entire race have to suffer or is this a war of ideas? To show that mankind can evolve at all from the monstrosity of torture then certainly strong quick decisions have to be made. In the end, to make sure mankind is positively evolving, all ideas must be discussed in peace. Guns, swords and plows notwithstanding, we need to talk. True questions of tolerance need to be discussed.
Anger erupts when dealing with others who have a psychological need to hurt other living beings. Good and evil may play roles but definitely the negative may also be attributed to some sort of disease. Although swift action many times must be taken, it should be known that admittedly or not, the core of all of this hate is centered around fear. Why should the mere presence of a group cause so much ill feeling that others want them obliterated? If we are going to hate that much then really why should any man ever really gain, "The keys to any kingdom" at all? Will we never admit that we are weak with fear instead of strong with hate? Therefore it becomes necessary to decently supervise the ill until the innocent are spared or until the healing comes. We really only know how to relate to others in this world once a positive trial can be witnessed. No amount of ostracizing others will solve the problem.
When an animal loses a fight many times it is eaten. Remember that love will mean nothing until we get the notion out of our brains that just by losing one fight we will be obliterated, become extinct or consumed. Too much adrenaline goes into our arguments and games. Never do we consistently act with the wisdom that there will always be another chance. Too often do we see ourselves on a life and death battlefield instead of using the thoughts of an athlete with the knowledge that the next season is just around the corner.[Parenthetically, the ebb and flow of a democracy also means that a new government can peacefully be just around the corner.] Finally -- the last finality -- creates the legacies we want ourselves to live by. Yes, a man should not be known for how he dies; but more for how he has lived. Together we can live and create a joint legacy -- a true good history -- with all of us having a part worthy of a strong and essential review.
In the next posting I will attempt to show our healthy differences as we celebrate our lives as unique beings. Please travel with care -- live with passion -- and do not become indifferent to the lives around you.
Sincerely written, and
Respectfully submitted,
Robert N. Franz
see: amzn.to/1R1Oayq
or check linkage: amazon.com/author/rf3rd
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