Grasshoppers Metamorph to Locusts, and More!

Are you familiar with how a grasshopper and a locust are related? They're the same species: the latter has just undergone another stage of metamorphic evolution. Locusts are biblical because they primarily only swarm during famines and droughts. You see, when grasshoppers have to compete for limited food sources, they wind up clumping together and rubbing against one another. This physical stimuli triggers a metabolic response, and the stimulated grasshopper begins transforming. You can actually just rub a grasshopper the right way and it will transform.

When I was young, I used to think bugs were aliens sent to spy on us

Given that having such a defense mechanism is immensely more beneficial than not having one, it's safe to assume that many species have some innate biological response to facing Armageddon. It may not be as drastic as the grasshopper, but logically there would be the presence of something that bestows an advantage in specific dire circumstance. If there were any genetic benefit to facing a life threatening event, then any extinction event is effectively a filter, naturally selecting those species best capable of surviving such an event. Across the history of the world, life has faced countless extinction events, both major and minor. Because of this selective pressure, it stands to reason that life generally accumulates defense mechanisms or responses to specific life-threatening events.

What does this mean for us? We are a species that has only emerged after uncountable generations and many selective event. Think about it: all of our lineages must have passed through all major extinction events. This means that statistically a lot of our genes must have been selected because they helped carry us through the worst the world had to offer. We can see many mental illnesses as defense mechanisms to specific life crises. Think about the hyper-vigilance that results from PTSD; that sort of headstrong attitude is an adaptive response to seriously stressful, and likely difficult, scenarios.

Thinking beyond: when has humanity really faced absolute tragedy? Collectively, we are such an unbeatable force that we have functionally conquered the elements. This means that no one alive has seen a full-blown response to the apocalypse, or the collapse of civilization.

We're so dominant, we spend the money we work for on things to make us feel afraid

Looking back, when throughout history have we seen the collapse of civilization as a whole? There would have been many times where pockets of prehistoric civilizations collapsed, leaving people to dwindle and die, but they do not offer as many useful records. Yet, there are so few complete bottlenecks in recorded history. In order for the population to feel the direness of total collapse in the abundance provided by powerful states, we have to look at the collapse of empires. Rome is a perfect example, and to demonstrate this, let's first hypothesize what a human locust would even do.

As apex predators, we must have accumulated enough survival response traits to save a significant portion of our population. This means that someone who has undergone this transformation would be the type of person who can enact great change in the behavior of the collective: someone who can supplant previous operating systems and replace them with a more ideal means of decision making at the individual level. In order to do so, this person must have great mental prowess and communication skills, being able to perceive this more ideal means of being and effectively teach others. As someone who unites the population, such a person must be a beacon of love and healing, bringing families together and waking people to their full potential.

You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one

Do we see such a thing in Rome's prolific history? Are there any historic figures that are the epitome of what I just described? I'm being facetious at this point, but really, why is Jesus Christ considered a savior? Personally, I don't think there was one person who was the son of god, rather I believe there are many who woke up to the fact that we are all God's children and were moved by how much He could love everyone.

I offer more than just this argument as proof. It's slightly embarrassing to admit, but for a portion of my life, I had messianic delusions. I really thought I was the one. More than just am ego trip, this compelled me to constantly grow, bettering myself while healing and learning more about the human condition. I'm still on that path: the work is never done. Being such a locust, I am certain the species is undergoing a transformative event, and that I am playing a role.

This is not a boast. There is nothing special about me, because this time around there are millions of us, each playing a key part. I've met others like me. We're starting to organize. The empire is collapsing, that is self-evident at this point. I'm not standing at the city gates for attention. I'm here, broadcasting my message because it hurts my heart to see the people of this world squabble over meaningless things and squander their and the world's potential when we have a mountain in our path to navigate. There is much in our collective's way, but it is all possible if we approach the problem properly. This requires the right set of eyes to see and the willingness to admit we all need to change. No one is exempt: our survival is a group effort.

Do you hear that? I hear buzzing...

Image Sources:

Grasshopper vs Locus

Apex Predator

Lecture Slide