Like many, I am spellbound by the series Planet Earth. Every aspect about it seems to have come together to create perfection: the narration by David Attenborough, the marvelous camera work, the intent behind the effort, and of course, the bountiful offerings of nature. While taking in all this beauty and intrigue, I could not help feel that all the entities in the universe seem brainwashed.
All species' lives are coded and their performances seem orchestrated. Most species live and die trying to survive and reproduce, and then ensure the survival and flourishing of their offsprings. In all of this, the thought process and the actions are completely driven by the inbuilt software. Live, reproduce, protect, safeguard your species, nothing else matters. Octopus dies of starvation protecting its eggs; Glass frog risks its life to protect its eggs. Most species risk their lives protecting their young ones. Human beings are no different from the octopus, squid, salmon or mayfly that die after giving birth. We are led by the same primal mission and nothing is in our control.
Of course, isn't propagation of the species the pivotal motive of any species? But is this mission self designed? Aren't we all living like the salmons who swim upstream to lay eggs or the penguins who go to any extremes to protect their eggs and chicks. Nobody seems to be in control of what they are doing, all are led, all follow.
Is perpetuating the genes the only motive for life and living? Are we brainwashed into this journey of self obliteration by false sense of bigger purpose in a giggling baby or manipulated emotional rush?
We are after all not that much of a thinking animal. We are mostly like all other animals, driven by basic programming. Survive to reproduce, have babies and then die nurturing the babies
Seems like life is not about living, it is about dying. Do we cheat death through children? or do we embrace death through children?
All species' lives are coded and their performances seem orchestrated. Most species live and die trying to survive and reproduce, and then ensure the survival and flourishing of their offsprings. In all of this, the thought process and the actions are completely driven by the inbuilt software. Live, reproduce, protect, safeguard your species, nothing else matters. Octopus dies of starvation protecting its eggs; Glass frog risks its life to protect its eggs. Most species risk their lives protecting their young ones. Human beings are no different from the octopus, squid, salmon or mayfly that die after giving birth. We are led by the same primal mission and nothing is in our control.
Of course, isn't propagation of the species the pivotal motive of any species? But is this mission self designed? Aren't we all living like the salmons who swim upstream to lay eggs or the penguins who go to any extremes to protect their eggs and chicks. Nobody seems to be in control of what they are doing, all are led, all follow.
Is perpetuating the genes the only motive for life and living? Are we brainwashed into this journey of self obliteration by false sense of bigger purpose in a giggling baby or manipulated emotional rush?
We are after all not that much of a thinking animal. We are mostly like all other animals, driven by basic programming. Survive to reproduce, have babies and then die nurturing the babies
Seems like life is not about living, it is about dying. Do we cheat death through children? or do we embrace death through children?
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