Shouldn’t we be further evolved by now?
I’ve been studying human behavior in one way or another all my life. As a child, to help me manage the emotions of the grown-ups around me. As a teen and young adult, to try and understand how people can be so cruel. As a grown-up myself, I added the academic route so I might help other grown-ups feel better about themselves, so we might all be happier.
What I still don’t understand is with psychology clearly explaining the nature of motivation and goals, why are we still self-sabotaging our progress? Surely, overeating or numbing emotions or going back to the abusive ex are not in our systems’ best interest. So why does our brain keep steering us down those paths?
Or another, bigger, conundrum - with all the available global, ancient wisdom teaching us for literally thousands of years that whatever the question, love is the answer, surely we should have evolved out of the petty small-minded bullshit by now?
So I did what we do these days and asked chatGPT.
First, I asked:
“Given all these external influences on the self, like astrology, societal pressures, cultural expectations, and adding unknown subconscious quantities, childhood coping mechanisms, awareness of global climate and other disasters, how is a person supposed to maintain hope and optimism for a better future?”
It replied
“Maintaining hope and optimism for a better future amidst a complex web of external influences and challenges can indeed feel daunting. However, it's important to recognize that hope and optimism can be cultivated through intentional practices and shifts in perspective. Here are some strategies to help navigate these influences and foster a positive outlook:
(abbreviated)
Focus on What You Can Control
Practice Mindfulness and Self-Awareness
Limit Exposure to Negative Media
Seek Support and Connection
Engage in Meaningful Activities
Practice Gratitude
Embrace Hope as a Choice
Focus on Long-Term Vision
Seek Professional Guidance
Practice Self-Care
Remember that hope and optimism are not about denying reality but about cultivating a mindset that acknowledges difficulties while choosing to focus on possibilities and solutions. By integrating these strategies into your life, you can foster a sense of hope and resilience, even in the face of complex external influences.”
Reader, I was thoroughly disappointed. These are so generic! Surely, there’s some secret perfect advice, or at least something new and exciting we could try? So I followed up:
“This is advice is nothing new. Philosophers have spoken for thousands of years about the benefits of sleep, healthy lifestyle, a nurturing community, meaningful work, and mindfulness. If these cures have been available and known for so long, how come we as a species haven't evolved into higher states of consciousness and well-being yet?”
It replied:
“Your question raises a profound and complex issue about the nature of human evolution and well-being. While advice on practices like sleep, healthy lifestyles, community, meaningful work, and mindfulness has indeed been advocated by philosophers and thinkers throughout history, achieving widespread adoption and sustained positive change on a collective level presents significant challenges. Here are some perspectives to consider:
(abbreviated)
Human Nature and Habitual Patterns: Humans are creatures of habit, and changing deeply ingrained behaviors and societal structures is not a simple task. Many individuals and societies struggle with inertia, resistance to change, and the allure of immediate gratification over long-term well-being.
Cultural and Societal Influences: Societal norms, cultural values, economic systems, and political structures can profoundly shape individual and collective behaviors. Many societies prioritize productivity, competition, and consumption, which can detract from holistic well-being and the adoption of healthier lifestyles.
Complex Interplay of Factors: Human well-being is influenced by a multitude of interconnected factors—biological, psychological, social, economic, and environmental. Addressing these factors comprehensively requires coordinated efforts across various domains, which can be challenging to achieve.
Inequality and Inequity: Disparities in access to resources, opportunities, and healthcare contribute to inequities in well-being across different populations. Socioeconomic factors play a crucial role in determining individuals' ability to adopt and maintain healthy practices.
Evolutionary Time Scales: Human evolution, particularly in terms of consciousness and societal well-being, unfolds over extended time scales. While progress has been made in various areas of human development, transformational shifts in consciousness and societal paradigms can require generations or even centuries to manifest.
Resistance to Change and Complexity: Addressing issues related to consciousness and well-being involves navigating complex systems dynamics, power structures, and vested interests. Meaningful change often requires challenging entrenched beliefs, overcoming inertia, and navigating unforeseen consequences.
Intersection of Science, Philosophy, and Practice: Bridging theoretical knowledge (philosophy) with empirical evidence (science) and practical application (lifestyle changes) requires interdisciplinary collaboration and sustained efforts in education, research, policy-making, and community engagement.
Emergence of New Paradigms: Despite persistent challenges, there are signs of evolving consciousness and well-being practices in various fields such as psychology, neuroscience, sustainable development, and spirituality. New paradigms are emerging that integrate ancient wisdom with modern insights, paving the way for transformative change.
In essence, advancing human consciousness and well-being requires a multifaceted approach that addresses individual, societal, and systemic factors. While ancient wisdom offers timeless guidance, realizing its full potential necessitates ongoing adaptation, innovation, and collective action. Achieving higher states of consciousness and well-being is a dynamic journey that unfolds through the interplay of individual choices, societal structures, and the continuous evolution of human understanding and capabilities.”
In other words, there are no short cuts.
There are no secrets.
There are no silver bullets.
There is no savior coming to save us.
The change we want to see around us has to start with ourselves. Over time, the more people aim higher, the more likely it is they will be voted into political offices or take leadership positions where they might influence others. And so the ripple effects will multiply.
I’m not gonna lie, I get discouraged a lot lately. Looking around me at the state of the planet, the widening gulfs splitting up humanity, and me just one person who doesn’t even want to play in the content creation game anymore. How much longer until that paradigm shift?
But then, I’m reminded - every time we look for magic outside ourselves, the universe is giving us an opportunity to learn the same lesson, over and over:
