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Written by Will
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Sunday, 11 November 2007 |
Outside of the Tokyo office, my level of communication matches that of a mute. I point, present, smile, and say "arigato." Okay, so I have a slight advantage. But barely! Majority of my interactions are transaction based. All that society has taught me thus far seems meaningless without the ability to properly communicate. My mannerisms, etiquette, behavior, thoughts, attire, etc allows me to blend in with the rest of society. But I am unable to truly express myself. So, this got me thinking.. How has human advancement truly affected the way we interact with each other?
As primitive beings, it was simple: food and reproduction. (Hand a piece of meat) You like food? So do I. (Pull on hair) You're a girl? Great! (Pull close) Let's stick together. Through social evolution, we began to differentiate ourselves by creating different paths of life. I'm part of this tribe. You're part of that tribe. My parents are blacksmiths. Yours are carpenters. You like Starbucks coffee? I rather go get some Jamba Juice. You're an Apple person? I prefer PC. With the increasing variety of options in life, we have successfully segmented our society to make ourselves more unique, more "civilized."
Two men dressed alike may have similar physique and looks. One could be a worldly intellectual and the other a village idiot. There are of course higher regards to the individual with greater options in life. Why? Because there are already an abundant supply of men just like the village idiot. If we were stripped from our existing lifestyles and materialistic possessions, we would be left with a universal measure for survival: our goals and ambitions. Regardless of the number of increasing alternatives, we are all still human. We live to either survive or prosper. This inner desire is what truly separates us. How we convey ourselves and interact with one another is merely a mode to achieving our goals.
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