SEC-S17W6 "Saving Humanity"

When we mention the diseases that should be wiped off the face of the earth, most of the people think of cancer, diabetes, or heart disease.

Still, I would like to change the topic of the conversation. The disease I most wish to eliminate from this world is not a physical one, but a moral disease that has been corroding the human soul since ancient times: the manifestation of the vice of greed.

Greed is the unchecked craving to have more than what we need or deserve. It is one of the seven deadly sins which Christianity has identified, and for very good reasons, the sins are not to be taken lightly.

_{Greed is not only a corruption of the individuals who get it but also a thing that spreads and affects communities, nations and even the world. Image edited using Canva}

What is the reason that Greed is a Disease?

Greed is rightly called a "disease" because of its regular and damaging impact on the individuals and the society. Similar to cancer that eats away at the body from inside, greed corrodes a person's moral and ethical values.

The greedy people usually don't pay attention to the needs of others, take advantage of them for their own benefit, and hence, create a huge social inequality.

A clear illustration of greed can be found in different financial scandals that have been associated with big corporations and political elites. Those involved usually are looking for money and power without thinking about the negative effects on other people.

_{The 2008 worldwide financial crisis, for example, was mainly caused by the unlimited greed in the banking and real estate sectors. Therefore, millions of people got unemployed, lost their homes, and life savings. Image source from Canva}

Greed is one of the seven deadly sins that were first mentioned by Pope Gregory I in the 6th century. These seven sins—pride, envy, wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony, and lust—are the root of all other sins. Greed, especially, is considered to be a bad thing because it can result in other sins such as theft, fraud, and even murder.

Greed leads to environmental destruction. The unquenchable thirst to get more results in the excessive use of natural resources. Deforestation, pollution, and climate change are some of the environmental impacts of greed.

According to the scientific journals and articles that I have read, greed which is closely related to capitalism is the one that has caused the unprecedented environmental damage.

I Need This Disease to Be Gone, Right Now!

Now we can picture a world where greed does not exist. The rich would be more equally distributed, no one would live in the extreme poverty, and the natural resources would be managed properly. In that kind of society, we would never witness the extreme social inequality or extreme environmental degradation.

_{In a society without greed people, humans would be more focused on the well-being of each others. We would probably tend to cooperate than to compete immorally. Image source from Canva}

I am sure that we have all known or heard of people who are going through the trouble because of the greed. People who are overworked with low wages, people whose lands are taken for large projects, or families who lose their homes because of unfair lending practices.

They all are the victims of the disease of greed. I have observed people being oppressed and suffering the consequences of others' greed.

How does it feel? For me it is a pain that cannot even be described.

Although this disease might not be obvious like cancer or diabetes, its consequences are just as lethal, if not more so. It is similar to what the famous Gandhi once said, "The world has enough for everyone's need, but not enough for everyone's greed."

---

Thank you for taking your time to read my post. To my special friends @waterjoe, @harferri, and @alee75, let's join together and share your ideas in this contest.

Have a nice day

El-Nailul