Entry #538681, added on 09-30-07 @ 8:38 am EDT
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| The Path of Human History | Entry #538681 |
The Path of Human History
First Steps of the Journey
My following analysis of history, hopefully, will demonstrate what I am referring to when I speak of the path we follow. However, before you enter this world, please arm yourself with the following weapons.
“The number of true versions of an event is exactly equal to the number of observers of said event. Paradox: The number of different versions of an event is also exactly equal to the number of observers of said event. Conclusion: No two people may observe the same event”. This opinion is based on years of observation, and I ask that you consider the following when judging the above maxim. Eyesight, and hearing are products of personal experience, beliefs, fear, point of viewing, and memory. Think of the childish game of sitting in a circle, and whispering into the ear of the person next to you. As your words are passed around the circle, from person to person, this claim is verified because what the last person hears, generally bears no resemblance to what you said. Furthermore, national statistics show that a disproportionately high number of false imprisonments, occur due to errors of identification by eyewitnesses. When dealing with history, always carry a grain of salt, and remember the famous newspaper saying, “When the legend becomes more interesting than the truth…print the legend”.
The path humanity has always followed began as a road of survival, and over time it became the way humankind, psychologically, accepted as the true way. Early humans banded together in small tribes for survival in a very harsh, and hostile environment. These small tribal units were also a matter of survival due to the hunting, and gathering efforts they applied to feed themselves. In other words, the size of the tribe was directly related to the availability of food. The larger the tribe, the more often they would be required to move, as they exhausted the available food supply in their area. This was an important factor, because moving the tribe was dangerous, and exposed them to attack by other predators. Furthermore, the need to move, often meant the new territory was already held by another tribe. Here is the historical justification for territorial wars, hatred, and the foundation of the belief others are different from you. This has remained a factor of the human psychology from that time, into the present.
It began because matters of survival required that the strongest, and fiercest warriors, be granted entitlements in-order that they could defend, and feed the social unit with their best efforts. This created a situation, which played upon the basic human need to feel special. This need was expressed within the tribe, by establishing a social order of importance based upon your ability to provide value for the whole unit. Once this was established, it became important for self-image to give a special value to the whole unit by declaring they were the people, and all others were evil demons, and enemies. This satisfied the need to be special by allowing all members of the tribe to be acknowledged as more special than those outside of their unit. It should be apparent how this situation allowed wars to be justified, and hatred to develop. Furthermore, we have now established the parameters beginning the initial foundation of wealth. This development occurred as a convenience, a natural happening based upon the attitudes stated previously. If your enemies were not viewed as equal in their humanity, then their enslavement could be justified. There were three needs met by this event. One: It allowed all members of a tribe to have somebody to whom they were superior. Two: The workload was eased for the members of the tribe. Three: At this time of history, this factor was probably the most vital. The taking of slaves was a way to replenish attrition of people, within the tribe, which occurred due to the harshness of their living environment. Slavery was, and is that foundation of wealth to which I referred.
I hope that you do not dismiss this statement, and stop at this juncture, and I am acutely aware of the controversial nature of my statement. However, you cannot be harmed by my words, and just as the denial of the earth being round, held back humanity, perhaps denial of my statement can do the same. We are all aware of the role slavery played in the past, however, my statement claims, “was, and is”, so please give me the courtesy of attempting to justify my claim. All ideas have value even if they prove to be wrong, for they induce thought, and indicate seeking. Seeking is the effort of humanity to find the best path, and we should never rest on our laurels, and forego seeking. Like standing water, the lack of seeking produces stagnation, and we are at a critical juncture, of civilization, which cannot afford stagnation, so please read on.
If we can just agree on the basic facts concerning the foundation of humanity, I believe I can demonstrate a reason to agree upon the balance of my statements. Wealth: at this juncture let us give wealth a definition relating to this early moment of history. Surely, the concept of money had no bearing on this definition, so what exactly did it equal? Wealth equaled the keystone for the ascension of humanity as the dominate specie on earth. Wealth provided that unique ingredient needed for humanity to express its ability to think. This ability could only find its full potential if given the freedom to be applied. Therefore, wealth can be expressed as freedom, leisure, spare time, or whatever you chose to call it, however it is called, it is simply the time required to free up the mind from the necessities of survival, so humanity could envision the possibilities of life. That is why I say, slavery was the initial foundation of wealth. I think it should be easy to see the parallel from the past to todays situation. Clearly, wealth did, and does allow greater leisure from the pressure of day-to-day existence. Therefore, to that level we have come to agreement on something in this discourse, and I believe we can expand on this agreement to a point that will give you some thing to ponder, and hopefully enlighten.
BEGININGS
Ulan felt the primative rush of the hunt coursing through his body. He, and the other hunters of his tribe were following Mulak, their leader, into a territory they had never hunted. Great care had been taken to insure all of the portents had been appeased, so this hunt would be successful. Still, they were venturing into unknown territory, and this was always dangerous, and fraught with great trepidation. As they went deeper into the unknown, there began to be a number of hunters who began to mutter about the demons who surely guarded this realm. Soon these frightened members, began to come to Ulan, asking him to intercede with Mulak to take them home before disaster struck. They came to Ulan, because he was the second greatest hunter, after Mulak, and this gave him a degree of influence they lacked. Ulan considered their words, however, he knew if he carried them to Mulak there would very likely be a power struggle he did not feel confident he could win. Mulak was only slightly larger, and he was older, however, Ulan knew Mulak was fierce, and very single minded about battle. Ulan, while a great warrior, in his own right, also knew himself to be a person often distracted by thoughts other than battle. These character features would surely give Mulak an advantage, so Ulan hesitated to speak up. Just when the fear had reached a fever pitch, they stepped into a clearing, and before their eyes grazed a large herd of Zuma. Instantly all thoughts were on this great gift from the Spirits, and it was clear their hunt was blessed. Every hunter knew their role, and in short order they were in position.
So successful was their hunt that it was soon apparent they had killed far more than they could carry. Even after gorging themselves, and bundling up as much as each could carry, there was a great deal they were going to have to leave.
A shrill whistle echoed through the glade, instantly all of the warriors had faded into the surrounding foliage. Like an evil mist, an entire tribe of demons drifted into the opening, with nervous glances they approached the slain game. Fate had dictated the necessity, which had caused them to move their territory, and thus they had arrived at this exact juncture of time. Soon, their excitement overcame their caution, and a wild celebration ensued. The intruders were convinced their arrival had frightened off whoever had slain this game. Consumed by their good fortune they began to gorge themselves on the freshly killed hunt.
As the warriors of Mulak watched these evil ones excitedly eating the product of their hunt, they became enraged, and wanted to fall upon the demons and slay them. Even Ulan was pulled into the bloodlust mentality, and beseeched Mulak to attack. Mulak, with his experience, cautioned them, and demanded patience. Only the dominance of his will could have held his warriors in check, and this was sorely tested by their ardor for revenge. Even Ulan was beginning to doubt his leaders abilities to lead, as they watched the demons eating a portion of their hunt. Ulan, wondering why Mulak hesitated, watched the celebatory feast wind to its conclusion. Ulan was unique in that he observed things with a different perspective than others, and with his thoughtful mien he sought to discover the why, and why not of this situation. Ulan knew the element of surprise gave them a great advantage, so he doubted it was fear, which held Mulak in check. Soon the quest for understanding over came his blood lust, and the questions of why, and why not became his main concern.
When the demons had concluded their feast, it was apparent the meal had casued a great lethargy, and here-and-there they began to recline, and fall to sleep. Their leader chose three hapless underlings, and set them to guard the camp, while the rest slept. As Ulan observed these preparations he was in awe of Mulak’s cleaverness, for it was not long before the three guards were also overcome by the repast, and their chins slowly dropped onto their chests.
Silently, Mulak led his hunters into the opening, and one-by-one they killed the warriors as they slept. In short order Mulak’s band had subdued the demons, and tied up all of those Mulak had allowed to live. Ulan understood, Mulak had allowed only those who were unable to challenge his authority to survive. After a gleeful celebration, Mulak ordered the surviors to be loaded with the spoils of the hunt, and it was apparent the tribe would now be able to carry home far more provisions than before.
Several weeks later, Ulan watched the activity of the camp, Mulak had taken the pick of the captives for his own comfort, and the rest were distributed for the welfare of the tribe. As Ulan had come to know the captives, he wondered about the belief they were demons. There appeared to be no difference between them, and his tribe, however, everybody treated them as though they were less than human. Sure the women were used as breeding stock to replenish the tribe, however, other than that they were treated with great distain. The young men were treated even worse, it was as though they were no better than camp dogs…except they did not eat them. With these thoughts in his mind, even Ulan could not help but appreciate the freedom from work these captives allowed him. Soon these thoughts faded as Ulan decided to take a nap, before his meal was served, afterall if Mulak said they were evil demons, it must be so.
CONCLUSIONS
Fear of the unknown, personal self interest, personal power, greed, hatred, and we have the first steps onto the path we have continued to follow, a repetetive failure of kindness, and communication. I must ask myself, what would have happened had Mulak taken a different approach? Never-the-less, before we step onto a different path we must travel this one for a while, in-order to grasp its application to our current condition.
First Wealth
Still having thoughts about the difference between the slaves, and himself, Ulan found he did enjoy the benefits they produced. The freedom of time, afforded by these slaves, had allowed Ulan to discover himself pondering some of the difficult factors of survival for his tribe. Understanding the problems, had produced in him, the belief there were solutions to these problems, and he often found himself considering answers to these needs.
With that question in mind, let us view a different path. A path that could have been applied, by simply overcoming fear, and trying a different effort. “Stop, look, and listen”, to this we can add think, and we have the formula for walking a path. The awareness that in any given situation there are countless solutions, (or paths), must guide this formula.
Ulan was frustrated, and this caused him to ponder the happenings of the day. Earlier, he and several of his fellow hunters had tried to kill an Amok. Now this was not a new experience other than today they had tried to dispatch the beast by using their wooden thrusting sticks. Generally Amoks were lured to the base of a cliff, or tree, where large rocks were dropped on its head. Ulan and his fellows, understood the difference between the weight, and hardness of rocks compared to wood, however, they had felt sure they could kill an Amok by repeated stabbing with their thrusting sticks. This, failed experiment, had cost the tribe dearly, for two of their best hunters had been severely injured, by the Amok, during their efforts. Ulan had been chastised for leading the hunt, and was thus sent to sit away from the tribe for a two day punishment.
Ulan knew this was a very harsh punishment, and could easily result in his death. He was given no food, and was without backup should he be attacked by a predator. Never-the-less, he could not stop his mind from wandering, as he pondered the events.
.
Clearly, the day-to-day existence was a constant battle for survival, because initially humans were another link in the food chain, and their survival required them to be better predators. At this time, natural selection was the driving force of victory, and survival. That is not to say that even at this early time in humankind the other segments of society did not exist, for clearly they did. Art, science, religion, family life, all of these segments existed; however, they were forced to assume secondary places to survival. It was the hunter, warrior, who assumed the place of authority, and all others deferred to this order.
It was somewhere in this early time that the two leading segments of society began to join forces, and have assumed control of society from that time until the present These territorial wars were fueled by others factors as well as survival, and these factors became part of the human psychology as well. Furthermore, these other factors became the central definition of personal power, and this required the artifice of leadership, and religion to join forces to legitimize these factors.
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© Copyright 2007 K. I. Smet (UN: k-i-smet at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
K. I. Smet has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.
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