A Center That Humanity Should Not Occupy
Have you ever wondered why we humans are ever locked in conflict?
I mean, beyond the pursuit of overt profit-motives by those who are materially rich yet ethically bankrupt. Yes this 'is' a nice way to side-step most sizzling political angles on this. ;c)
Well... I have spent a fair time thinking about this and I have come to a conclusion.
It is because humans are attempting to occupy a space which should never be occupied by humans.
This 'space' is a conceptualized representation of that which is. Picture a circular podium or altar, a mere foot in height over an otherwise barren landscape. From above the podium a stream of light falls and washes over it abundantly, diffusing off of it to scantily bless the void beyond.
The center is representative of focus and boon. As such, whom or whatsoever should occupy 'the center' shall see riches beyond their wildest dreams (they (and we) are but mere humans - with perspectives smaller than we imagine).
Thus humans have jostled with each other for millennia, tearing at and shoving each other so as to occupy 'the center'.
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Those with more military might hold onto the center position far better than the competition and those who have but given up, and who slump or lie across the space, ever impoverished while the mighty and greedy few continue to jostle, and sometimes stomp on the less fortunate's bodies for the crime of gasping for more.
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Symbolically this is not far from the reality that we live within, even if we may not recognize it quite this way.
Debunking the Ideological Bankruptcy
What if I told you that what we presently know as the norm today will one day be seen to be a throwback similar to using a violin as a club?
What if I told you that the optimal use of the 'center' is not to occupy it but to allocate it intelligently?
And to help me explain this, I am going to be referring to the concept of light and mirrors as attributed to the ancient pyramids of Egypt (If you're not sure what I'm talking about then watching 'The Mummy' (from 1999) - or the following somewhat related YouTube video - should help in picture this).
In placing a single entity (a self-proclaimed elite cluster of humanity, for instance) in the center, much of the potential of the previously described stream of falling light of boon and focus is squandered.
This does not apply to individuals alone.
Religions and political ideologies have also been guilty of similar...
And when one cluster of persons, a religion or ideology occupies the center...
Such may be endowed with extravagance but their evolution is stumped...
Along with the evolution of humanity... and the World suffers also.
An Alternative More True
To explain this, let me further simplify the matter.
Let us suppose for a moment that there are only two factions of humanity - the Capitalists and the Socialists. In between them exists 'the center'.
Now traditionally they would each try to occupy the center.
They each see themselves as the answer.
But what if...
...that which should occupy the center of boon and focus...
...is not an answer at all... but a question or a problem?
What if we have grown so accustomed to the primitive jostle for supremacy over each other that we have forgotten that the aim is to gain supremacy over ourselves and the issues that we face?
Multiple Paths Toward a Desired End
There are many ways that one could prepare a cup of tea.
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One could let pour boiling water into different cups or mugs with a tea bag in each - let it infuse, remove the teabag and add some sugar and milk.
One could use a (suitable) tall glass and not remove the teabag (Malta).
One could opt to add the sugar before pouring the hot water.
One could opt to pour some milk before pouring the hot water (Ireland).
One could opt for honey instead of sugar - or no sweetener at all.
One could opt to pre-heat the milk.
One could opt for something other than milk (butter seems popular enough for coffee in India).
Some prefer teapots.
So many ways...
Yes, a number among you would balk at some of the above methods but they all solve the same problem - making a cup of tea.
Lets Try Similar In Approaching 'The Center'
Let us pose a problem.
The Common Cold.
Implicit in posing a problem is asking the question "How does one solve (the common cold)?".
Any number of 'factions' normally vying for the center can contribute to this problem.
The problem reflects the light of boon and attention towards those at the periphary who would answer the call... and they and their perspectives reflect back upon the problem to inspire a solution.
Once a problem is solved - everybody is better off.
It matters not if Big Pharma, homoeopathists, or a group of elderly persons with herbal traditions handed down through generations solves it. The aim is solution, not occupation ( or monopolization').
The next problem rolls up - and a different set of protagonist groups or individuals weigh in.
Implications On How Nations Should be Ruled
Should, to loosely paraphrase Max Weber, governments hold a monopoly over the legitimate use of force?
Should governments hold a monopoly over the legitimate exercise of agency within their borders?
Oh yes - some would argue that they do not - but can individuals do 'anything' within their own nations without some kind of obligation to the state, whether it be a trade license or a declaration of employment or taxes?
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Strings and chains run through us all - the government occupying the 'central space' rather than reflecting upon it.
This post has been perhaps a little philosophical and metapolitical in nature - but it is hoped that you found the contents provocative of thought.
Glance at the roots of conflicts - both today and in the past. Have not many of them been due to an attempt at occupation of 'the center' to the exclusion of others?
Also, since I am a student of consistency, I ask you to consider applying this content upon all scales, including individually. Might some things be occupying our personal center to the detriment of others and even our own selves?
If you found this post interesting and would like to share this with your friends then a resteem couldn't hurt.
If you 'didn't' like this then feel free to share your views in comments. A civil conversation can go a long way.
Sincerely,
Your last thought actually hits on the crux of the matter - turning new understanding into changed behaviour is really hard.
Upvoted and resteemed.
From Minnows Accelerator Project - Six of the Best MAP1
Thank you @rycharde, for the upvote and the feedback, and especially the resteem! Not to mention for being the gracious host of the Minnows Accelerator Project - Six of the Best MAP1 . ^_^
That is precisely right! Any improvement in one's understanding is conducive to an improvement in one's actions. :c)
We humans dedicate such a lot of resources and effort toward the development of our technologies. It is often tragic that we dedicate so little to developing our society's techniques. This is but one step in a better direction. ^_^
Thanks again!
Yes, and my own deep concern is that technologies that are being promoted precisely to undermine human wisdom and self-mastery of the limits of existing human abilities.
For example, our abilities to sense subtle EM energies (as researched meticulously by people such as Persinger) are being squashed by a torrent of pulsed microwaves.
I have long longed for a human-made radiation-free World.
I do wonder however - to what end would certain entities wish to subdue our EM senses?
full spectrum control
Maybe it will help if people start their ow businesses again. Much of the problem I think is that the financial economy has taken over and gotten a life of its own. Money is not just a medium of exchange anymore, it has become something liquid and with no inherent value.
Thank you for the upvote and comment @pjcswart. :c)
I think that it is very valid to suggest that the financial economy can and does influence the decision making processes of individuals - thus motivated by greed.
I am not quite clear on how people starting their own businesses is going to solve this 'crabs in a bucket' situation though. :c)
Sorry, not quite wrapping my mind around this one, probably too tired from a rough day. In any case, I think the center is the only thing which prevents the two extremes from killing each other. In the past, that space was occupied by God. I agree with your example of Big Pharma and herbalism working together to find the cure for the cold, and not giving a hoot who comes up with the cure. Whatever works. In Norway (where I used to spend a lot of time), they believed in pragmatism. i.e. find a workable solution and go with that. Perhaps this is what you are trying to illustrate? The results can be wonderful and meet needs you never really thought about, like the boot dryer that they came up with. BUT, people have to want to work together, and have to be willing to accept that solution no matter who it comes from. Sadly, if it is Big Pharma, there are loads of people who would reject it just based on that. Sad state of affairs, when people are so eager to cut off their own noses to spite their faces.
Thank you for the upvote and feedback @adjohmen. :c)
Don't worry! I wouldn't exactly call it light reading, and taling about shifts in perspective don't make for the easiest topics to embrace either. ^_^
Even though you claim to be tired you make some really good points. Yes people 'do' need to want to work together. It introduces the 'prisoners' dilemma' problem, where two persons might need to choose between benefiting from 60% alone or 100% together (simple example).
I mention Big Pharma for a reason - since the profit motive of corporate medicine can demonstrably run contrary to the interests of curing any given ailment. However you are correct in saying that rejecting Big Pharma because Big Pharma - is far from an ideal situation.
Big Pharma occupying 'the center' to the exclusion of others is also not ideal - as it itself is more concerned with raising barricades to the practice of medicine thand the actual curing of ailments (due to the conflict of interest with its corporate dominant side)
Lastly, a boot drier sounds helpful in a cold wet climate. ^_^
Thanks again for the feedback and if anything isn't quite clear then feel free to ask me about it. :c)
This post received a 5% vote by @minnowsupport courtesy of @creativesoul from the Minnow Support Project ( @minnowsupport ). Join us in Discord.
Wow. I am truly elated by the great response that I've received from all you people - and so soon after posting! :c)
Special thanks to @minnowsupport, @creativesoul, @hr1 and others fer helping this post to gain more exposure as you feel it deserves. ^_^
I hope this response is indicative of at least some among you reflecting upon that whcih has been said here - that we humans have been approaching things wrong - and found it to ring true. Even if not - I look forward to the discussions that can be had. :c)
Thank you again you wonderful Steemitians! :cP
I thought it very well written and thought provoking.
Always nice to see things from a different perspective and challenge our way of thinking.
Perhaps some of these views can also color other issues that humanity faces.
This is my hope @creativesoul. :c)
It strongly hints toward the benefits of a decentralized approach - a concept that Steemit members should quite readily appreciate.
To tease just one more example - can you imagine how much more a structure of governance could achieve if the various factions dedicated just half of the effort that they allocate to fighting each other, instead towards the issues facing humanity?
To bring about an 'us and us' situation rather than an 'us versus them' situation.
Thank you again! ^_^
Well said my friend..Mahalo
Thank you kindly for the support @thethreehugs :c)
By the way, in case you (or anybody else) might be interested, @rycharde is throwing a competition. Your votes would greatly help me should you feel that I deserve to get ahead on it. :c)
Well deserved and I will chck our the competition.