Human beings are a highly evolved life form on this planet. The word comes from the Latin, Homo Sapien , meaning wise man. And Wise he is. Today Humans have the most complex and developed brain capable of logic, structural thinking , ability to love , feel pain and numerous complex emotions. They can communicate use of gestures, by speaking languages. But perhaps the strongest and dominant of all qualities of Human Beings is that they are social primates. Sure there are other species and all most all are known to be socially active, but nothing as complex and deep rooted as the Human Beings. We are capable of living in groups, forming colonies, families, partners, involve in courtship, form social boundaries, governments, countries. Social interaction between humans has given birth to traditions, rituals, values and ethics. In a sense we are all connected by this human bond. It is also our biggest weakness. The Error in Humans. Its a well known fact that is also a popular expression (with numerous variations, but the meaning remains the same)- “The best way to be happy is to make others happy” Its true. We seek happiness in other peoples joys and sadness in their misery. In war the most effective means of torture is by threatening the prisoner’s most loved ones – his family, his children. No other specie is capable of such superior emotion and thought process. It is why we plead, take us but spare them. We are ready to face death in the interest of their survival. Man appears very selfless. But behind this selfless act is a very simple rationale. We are needy, we are needy for love for companionship for support for our basic existence. Solitary confinement is the worst punishment. It is why we are most disturbed when our near and dear pass away. They leave a vacuum in our lifves that can not be filled. A Void. This is man’s greatest gift and greatest folly. Its simply Human Error.
There are many ways to define our fragile existence. Many ways to give it meaning. But it is our memories that shape its purpose and give it context. The private assortment of images, fears, loves, regrets. For it is the cruel irony of life that we are destined to hold the dark with the light. The good with the evil. Success with disappointment. This is what separates us. What makes us human. And in the end, we must fight to hold on to.
-Heroes : 2.08
Written in memory of Gp Capt. SK Bhatia , may your soul rest in peace
May his soul rest in peace and his family have the courage to bear the loss!
Aman, a really nice piece written by you!Shows that you have come a long way!
first of, condolences on the demise of Gp Cpt Bhatia. Losing something one cannot replace with anything.
i partially agree on this. Sociology does act as a catalyst in bringing out the best and the worst in us. But there are these great minds who have changed the the face of life as we know it, who derive pleasures out of different (read eccentric) things than what we mere mortals define fun. Having a large group of friends and confidants in their case just makes them lose focus and hence even the idea of such a life must seem odd to them.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m all about having lots of friends and loved ones around. To care and be taken care by. But turning the devil’s advocate for just a few moments, do you think that in a high octane, stress filled, competitive world of today, is having friends and loved ones to fall back upon just a mere way of hiding from your real problems; your pet peeves, your emotional baggage? really all the things that should be sorted out. Because of i have seen text book cases of people having a zillion friends, to say, who are great when they hang out, love each others company, are there for each other in whatever facet of life.
We the people tend to hide ourselves in comfort blankets. These are the people who make us happy. Anything uncomfortable and making us look inside our own selves is totally shunned away by us. I ask you this, is pain really that bad? If it weren’t for the bad times, would we really cherish the good times as much as we do? Why do we run away from anything that is even remotely uncomfortable or painful?
I personally think that one should carry the pain with them all their life. Its the pain that life gives you that makes you thankful for the brilliance that life has to offer.
What do you think?
brilliantly written btw. You writing style is more hard hitting and attractive than ever before. Keep it up!
Its true but i think people who can do that are perhaps one in a million. I think we were all born with this quality to hide behind our fears and under comfort blankets. The rituals and mythology we believe in were born out of these fears. We tend to submit to someone or something. And as a basic quality, we look to seek company. Company to either understand and assure us we are right in having those fears, or to stand by you in front of those who dont believe or think like we do. Your comment (and subsequently my reply) leads to another human topic which would take away the essence of this article. But i like you viewpoint and perhaps will write another article about it.
good to know…looking forward to an amazing post…