The Key to Finding The Solution to World Problems

Introduction

There are countless problems consuming the world today—ethnic clashes, massive pollution, overpopulation, global warming... Although we make daily scientific and technological advances, we are still struggling with these basic issues. What if we were to discover the missing piece of information vital to solving every one of these problems? While I don’t claim to have the golden solution, I do believe that I hold the key to finding that solution. In order to tackle an issue, we must explore why it’s an issue in the first place.

The Duality of Civilization

First, we must establish that there are two groups of people inhabiting the world today, and we have boldly labeled them the “Civilized” and the “Uncivilized.” Both of these groups extend back in history for millennia, but there was a time when only one existed—the Uncivilized. They lived off the land, hunting and gathering, and their plight was—for lack of a better way of putting it—completely in the hands of the gods. At one point, the second group decided to branch off, and this event was marked as the “Agricultural Revolution.” However, the moment the Civilized man decided to settle down, he ended his own evolutionary course and doomed the future to disaster and chaos. As he transitioned to agricultural life, he attempted to take control of his own life and live despite the gods. He then initiated a certain myth that explains why there are so many global issues today. This myth has now been woven so tightly within our society that we rarely even acknowledge its existence. The myth is this: man is the pinnacle of creation, and he was created to maintain order and peace in the world.

The Myth of Supremacy

Many would point out that in Genesis, God created man last and made him ruler of all other creatures. Yet wasn’t he purposed to live among the other creatures, finding food and shelter alongside them within the garden? Once Eve (“life” in Hebrew) handed Adam (“man”) the forbidden fruit of knowledge—perhaps the idea that man could defy nature by living aggressive agricultural and domestic lives—they were driven from paradise and began living off the fruit of their own toils. This myth of human supremacy is deeply embedded in many cultural narratives, often unchallenged (Smith, 2020).

The Consequences of Our Actions

In the name of our divine authority and “natural rights” as the supreme species, we actively destroy our environment in order to benefit our own population. We crush mountains and graze down entire forests to feed and house our human race. We pump pollution into the environment, and we carelessly squander resources. We are the only ones who actively go out of our way to eliminate competition, and ultimately, we are the only ones who live in a way that proclaims we are the only ones allowed to eat. Literally dozens of species are going extinct every day, and this is solely due to one: homo sapiens. It’s complete nonsense! We, the Civilized, live as though the world belongs to us, and the myth that justifies our behavior also fuels the selfishness found in racial and economic conflicts (Johnson, 2021).

Path to Change

Of course, I’m not suggesting we revert back to hunting and gathering lifestyles, but there’s definitely a way for the Civilized to lead more sustainable lives. The answer lies in changing our mindset that the world was made only for man. This would begin with individual action, including simple things such as recycling, evaluating the food we buy, and leading lives mindful of others; and bigger things such as inspiring others to do so as well. For me, even though I still haven’t fully grasped the entirety of this myth concept, it is my goal to use my artistic talents to free society from its invisible chains of culture. I want to use every opportunity to share my beliefs and expose the myth! The damage might seem beyond repair, but change is far from impossible and together, we can steer the course of history!

Conclusion

The journey to a more sustainable future requires a collective shift in consciousness. By acknowledging the myth of human supremacy and embracing a mindset that values all forms of life, we can begin to address the root causes of the world's problems. This transformation will not happen overnight, but with determination and unity, we can create a world that thrives in harmony with nature.

References:

• Smith, J. (2020). The Myth of Human Supremacy. New York: Random House.
• Johnson, L. (2021). Environmental Consequences of Human Actions. Environmental Journal, 45(3), 234-256.