The Nearly Limitless Forgiveness of Nature
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2016 8:05 pm
There are probably quite a few variations on the concept of "Eye for an eye" scattered throughout the history books of humans. But how quaint, how typically limiting, is this very human notion of fairness and retribution.
Nature exists as such because its constituents care more about survival than justice, "red in tooth and claw" *only* when it needs to be or is bored and wanting entertainment, and *not* because the natural world somehow reflects back this human notion of fairness.
Nature is about thriving in the face of tyrants or becoming one of them yourself. The math as interpreted by other humans might judge you in the end, but nature won't.
Likewise, when tyrants find themselves being questioned and point the blaming finger at nature's exemplars, they are borrowing trouble and stretching fancy to the limits of its pain. Because nature doesn't promise to back us up, or any of our frail, limited, transient notions.
Yet nature can be merciful when we show her respect. She provides for us. Without question? No, of course not, we must all bravely ride the wheel of fortune to whatever end, but in general, mother nature is kind.
Certainly humans who are mindful of this, of the importance of a general respect for nature and her provenance, are among the most truly happy people; until of course they are confronted by people with Zero respect for life in general, Zero respect for nature, Zero wisdom and insight outside of the human jungle.
We can't waste our whole lives on human notions of what's right and fair, particularly political and religious disputes that have nothing to do with survival or experiencing the true world.
Blessings to those lucky and accursed pilgrims who hope that in spite of our race, this planet endures.
Nature exists as such because its constituents care more about survival than justice, "red in tooth and claw" *only* when it needs to be or is bored and wanting entertainment, and *not* because the natural world somehow reflects back this human notion of fairness.
Nature is about thriving in the face of tyrants or becoming one of them yourself. The math as interpreted by other humans might judge you in the end, but nature won't.
Likewise, when tyrants find themselves being questioned and point the blaming finger at nature's exemplars, they are borrowing trouble and stretching fancy to the limits of its pain. Because nature doesn't promise to back us up, or any of our frail, limited, transient notions.
Yet nature can be merciful when we show her respect. She provides for us. Without question? No, of course not, we must all bravely ride the wheel of fortune to whatever end, but in general, mother nature is kind.
Certainly humans who are mindful of this, of the importance of a general respect for nature and her provenance, are among the most truly happy people; until of course they are confronted by people with Zero respect for life in general, Zero respect for nature, Zero wisdom and insight outside of the human jungle.
We can't waste our whole lives on human notions of what's right and fair, particularly political and religious disputes that have nothing to do with survival or experiencing the true world.
Blessings to those lucky and accursed pilgrims who hope that in spite of our race, this planet endures.