The Human Mind — A Mistake of the Gods?

The Monotony

All the species came to Earth with a mechanism of population control. Predators, forest fires, climate changes and aging, could easily take care of the population. Though the species were provided with a counter mechanism — adaptation. But it was too slow to counter the population control mechanism and at max, the species were able to handle climate changes and ward off predators using camouflaging and other defense mechanisms. Nature’s technology was far superior and was able to maintain the balance easily.

Everything was under control. The lack of any challenge must have made things boring for the Gods. Even if creative urges were explored and new species were created, they were still based on the same perfect set of rules. The new specie would come to earth and show their beauty (like the Red panda and the Tulip flower), power (Dinosaurs, Vulture and Lion), or a unique skill such as moving in water, flying in the air, climbing mountains, growing underground, moving at amazing speed, but eventually, everything would fall into equilibrium on its own and the monotony would kick in. The Gods wanted to do something different. An innovation far beyond anything they had ever done. The risk was apparent but the Gods must have been too proud of their creation, and they pursued the love of their artistry. The Humans were created.

The Rise of Humans

The humans were gifted with a special weapon, the Mind. The highly advanced self-evolving device. The humans used to it to showcase their feats in beauty, power, and other skills which were unique to specific species. We created architectural marvels, developed the ability to move in water, fly in the air, move at high speeds on land, air, and water. We outmatched all other species in all possible domains.

The mind gave us the capability to battle all possible constructs of population control. We could predict if it’s going to rain the next day or which city is the cyclone going to hit. Wolf, Elephant, Bear, and the entire cat race (except for the cat itself :P) was capable of killing the humans in a one to one combat, but we were able to counter them back in the Stone age itself and established clear dominance by the advent of the Iron age. We have imprisoned and perhaps enslaved most of them now, and those which are still out don’t stand a chance against the human mind.

Our evolution sped up exponentially. Earlier it would take humans thousands of years to evolve, but this lag was gradually decreasing.

Humans were constantly pushing the mechanism of control. Though capable of delivering only one child in about a year, humans were still one of the most populated species on earth. We were destroying and enslaving other species. The Gods, though already aware of the possibility of misuse of the human mind, finally realized that it might have been a mistake. The same one we are about to commit with A.I. Stronger measures of control like Earthquakes, Tsunami’s could not be taken frequently as those impacted other species as well. Another option was to provide a self-evolving mind to another specie, but Gods would never repeat the mistake. Finally, Gods came up with a masterstroke. To use our greatest asset against us.

The Fall

Our greatest weapon would remain the reason for our continued dominance over the planet and also the reason for our devastation. Scientific advancements that humans are making are eventually turning against us. We take one step forward only to realize we are pushed two steps behind.

• Advancements in the defense sector are becoming the reason for our destruction.
• Medical tech was supposed to save lives but the side effects of implants, surgeries are outweighing the benefits. Heard of 510(k) pathway? If not, watch “The Bleeding Edge” on Netflix. It has an interesting insight into the medical industry.
• Automation and advanced communication is resulting in inactivity and diseases and eventually the end.
• Vehicles were supposed to shorten our commutation time but they are also shortening our lifetime by poisoning our lifeline…Air.
• Agricultural advancements resulted in the rise of GM foods which are proving to be hazardous.

The Silver Lining

The Gods have done their part, they have set us on a gradual path of decline. But there is still a silver lining. We are also provided the ability to reason, though it is only used by a fraction. Several philosophies are advocating going backward, renunciation at different levels. Hindu Monks live a life of detachment from the material world. Western concept of Minimalism also takes inspiration from this. There is a lot we can do, only if we can see the need. A few changes which we can bring at individual and community level:

• Consume stuff that we need. Unnecessary consumption just because there was a sale, impacts the environment in the form of waste creation like packaging material, depletion of resources, and carbon emission to name a few.
• Eat to provide nourishment to the body, not to beef it up. I am not promoting a vegetarian or vegan diet, but eating a full chicken in a meal just to look like a beast doesn’t seem necessary.
• Use weapons for defense. ONLY defense.
• Promote love. In this era where trolls are the new cool; love, respect, empathy are slowly losing their charm. This might sound cliched but this is vital for the paradigm shift.

In a nutshell, using the power of the mind to live in harmony with nature might be our only chance at survival. Are we ready to take it??