I agree that the human need to belong to a group will prevail–it is evolution's gift to humans that has allowed us to become the dominant species on earth. The conflict, however, remains between our need for social belonging, which frequently inspires us to altruistic behaviors that do not directly help us as individuals, and the individual drive to selfishly do what best helps us get ahead.
This conflict' also evolution's gift, has played itself out throughout history in ways that have caused us to sacrifice ourselves to support our tribe, but be eager to violently destroy those from other tribes who threaten us. When the world was large and there were only a small number of nearby tribes with which we could disagree, this more or less worked out. As global becomes the new neighborhood, this is a recipe for endless strife.
If humans are to survive, we have to learn to expand our notion of tribe. If we cannot, we doom ourselves to constant conflict that will likely destroy us. As millennials inevitably rejoin society, let's hope they are able to continue to have a more expansive sense of who "we" are.
@AACNY: Very true. Barack Obama handed Republicans a nice gift in 2008, alright, and again in 2012.
A tragedy that took an outstanding person. I hope he lives on as an organ donor. I am a kidney recipient and know the value of the gift of life.
"...in recent years he had begun to view his talent not so much as a gift, but as an obligation." And in a culture where everything has to be fun, fun, fun and me, me, me, obligations and responsibilities are just so passé.
Losing 63,000 jobs is a small price to pay to make sure you don't have anything to do with the ACA. And, the hooker is you can blame the high unemployment on the President. A gift to the GOP!
Love it! Danny Snyder continues to believe he knows how to run a football team yet provides daily evidence to the contrary. He is the gift that keeps on giving!
Since your book was so fascinating - and one I have given as a gift on more than one occasion - I very much appreciate reading this update. Thank you for your excellent writing about such an important story and family.
Charles, you've gone along way to purging your demons in this courageous, masterfully-written essay. Your inspiration is evident. a gift to everyone who reads this. Well done, and thank you!
Pranay, I wish you well in your career. Your humanity and honesty and authenticity is a gift to me and to your now and future patients. There is no perfection, only goodness and doing our best to do no harm.
