Predator

Who and What are we?

Quick answer - We are the most successful predator on the planet, period. And that begs the question; how did that happen?

One point six million years ago Homo Sapian appeared on the scene having evolved from one branch of apes, according to those who research such things. By that time we had already developed the behavioural patterns common to all predators except that we had also begun to use tools and weapons extensively to help us survive. That does not mean that we did not occasionally become lion lunch, but it does mean that we were on the road to becoming what most other predators would avoid at all costs. It wasn't until approximately five thousand years before Christ that we began to form what we now refer to as civilisation.

So, let's see. We were already predators one point six million years ago which means that being a predator was pretty much instinct even then. We have been more or less "civilised" for about seven thousand years and have not had a serious threat to the species since before then. That doesn't seem to me nearly enough time to breed predatorial behaviour out of our genes, and, in fact, it is not.

So, what is predatorial behaviour? It is any action that will allow one to gain an advantage over another, in other words, any action that results in a winner and a loser.

The predatorial model has also made its way into how we organise our civilisations and this is a common thread that runs through governments, corporations and, in fact every type of human grouping we construct the world over. We think of our government as a democracy, as Lincoln said, "Of the people, by the people, for the people". On the other hand Mr. Churchill said, "Democracy is the worst kind of government in the world, unless compared to all others". The fact is that both are right.

I should point out that in my opinion the US has created the best yet, but we've still got a long way to go.

So what is behind our continued predatorial behaviour. Two things; wealth and power. By amassing one or the other or both an individual or a group can move up the food chain and find a more secure existance.

Conflicts involving weapons designed to maim or kill are all part of the predatorial instinct, regardless of the stated justification. Nobody in their right mind would say that people like Hitler and Bin Laden shouldn't be taken out of the picture. Both went way beyond any hope of redemption, and it is sad to say that we will probably encounter others like them in the future.

In that regard, what about the individuals and corporations that walked away from unsuspecting people with pockets stuffed with their money and leaving the rest of us teetering on the edge of financial disaster? Are they not also predators, totally uncaring of who gets hurt as long as they get the wealth? Of course they are, and that should tell us that among us are those who will take deregulation as a license to steal.

So, what is the answer? As a first step regulation needs to be reinstated for all financial transactions and expanded to allow for a full review and approval of new financial vehicles as they appear.

On the international front the approach needs to be different. I'm not sure who said it but a very wise person said, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer". Getting close to those with whom you differ gives you two major advantages. First it gives both parties an opportunity to understand the other in more depth and the better you know someone the less likely you are to perceive him as a threat. That goes both ways and it has nothing to do with agreement. Agreement is only needed in determining what to do next. Expanding democracy by coersion or force is no different from what Hitler wanted to do with his dictatorship.

Let's not forget that dictatorships can be the preferred form of government for some people. Citizens of dictatorships are free from worrying about who is in charge and who to put in when his term runs out and a whole load of other issues that fall to the government. Taxes are often included in the price of goods and services because the government owns most of it anyway. It may not be the same kind of freedom that we have in a democracy, but they are free from some of our worries and we are free of some of theirs.

The other advantage to keeping your enemies closer is that if he attacks you know much more about him than otherwise. That can be a huge advantage from a tactical point of view because you will know much more about his vulnerabilities than would be otherwise possible. We also need to understand that wars are conflicts between leaders with ordinary citizens on the front lines. If we know this country well there is a much better chance of finding those among their citizens who are dead set against the armed conflict. In other words, it gives us a much better chance of finding friends among the foe.

But enough of doom and gloom. The vast majority of people around the world are not active predators and most of them are horrified by what is happening around the world at the moment. This is a vast voice that needs to be heard on a continuing basis. In my opinion the first thing that needs to be said is, "Stop what you are doing and sit down and talk."