Radio Silence, for my mission in life needs a mask, a cover, a feeling of obscurity. As with a solider gathering information in on a reconnaissance assignment, I am personally fascinated by the doings of others. I know that it is stereotypical to say that my name is not important, but it truly is not – it is merely a label bestowed upon me by my mortal guardians, a tag by which to distinguish the inhabitants of this diverse planet. It is not always as successful as some would wish as well, there are so many Anthony Johnson’s and Peter Green’s in this world to prove this uniqueness to be but a fable.
Which brings me to my second observation – Why is it that in the labels assigned to new arrivals there are so many –sons and color surnamed titles? The race of humanity is oddly consistent in this aspect. We, the rulers of this realm, have an internal conflict between reason and emotion; occasionally experiences and connotation form the deciding undercurrents to snap judgments made every moment. People on a global scale are equally self-sufficient, motivated, and dependent.
I was at one point challenged as to my racial identity as part of a learning exercise performed during an academic event. As the nationalities were voiced “Caucasian, Asian, African, Hispanic, Italian, etc.” I stood firm, raising a few eyebrows among fellow participants. When queried as to my identity, I replied simply that I am a human, they laughed uncomfortably and changed the subject. My answer was too simple and considered a little arrogant. So it might have been, and I may have been trying to press a point – Humans are so quick to diagnose, categorize and label their surroundings as a coping mechanism.
When we are spawned into this world in the form of infants, we are pure need, and are unashamed of our appetites and weaknesses. During the periods in our young waking lives when all needs are met, we learn to take in our surroundings and react accordingly. The novelty and wonder of this environment expands our open minds, overwhelming our senses and thought. Through years of training and conditioning, we learn to focus – to block out the minor details in favor of the general idea. To dwell on analyzing every facet would distract us from making a timely decision, and if there is anything upon this earth that humans serve uniformly, it is time.
From the moment we comprehend a moment, philosophic, scientific, and religious conundrums are made manifest and real. We are mortal, physical beings. How did we get here? What role do I have to play in this cosmic scheme? What do I need to learn from experience rather than accepting by faith?
Many more questions abound, but it is the last question that intrigues me for now. From a scientific mindset, we are to be skeptical of any ultimate truth or law of the Universe. There are measurements to make, experiments to conduct, and averages to calculate. Once the work has panned out to a statistically significant result, the event’s conclusions will serve as data for future testing. There is no end, as there can be no certainty of a beginning. We have to arise from an initial state, but that would be to assume that there existed intelligence before us. The farther back the idea of existence pre-me travels, the less of a feeling of long-lasting notability.
From a philosophic standpoint, the questions are encouraged and built upon an inquisitive desire to learn. For at its core, philosophy is an exciting field – the quest to know how we know what we know. And the general synopsis of our learning is: The more we learn, the more we learn that we need to learn more. Theories are tossed as leaves in a storm, but one in which the individual thoughts collide and form new shapes from the old for a moment in time. For no two humans have the same set of experiences, or even impressions of the same event. The emotional side of the human state is emphasized by sensitive souls, while the colder and logical minds state that humanity is primarily reasonable and rational. A third, fringe group calls the polar ends both faulty and declares mankind to be a lucky chance of fate, we are no more than the current top of the ecological food chain – we are but developed beasts through the concept of civilization. Millions more derivations and alterations are to be found – seeded in the matchless and unique minds of the human race throughout space and time.
Occasionally, a few humans happen to cross paths and find that their destination and mindset are compatible and become travelling companions. This is the basis for religion, or shared thought. Men have a need for a purpose in life; most express that desire through the form of worship. The only real possession that humanity owns is ourselves and our time slot of existence. Worship is simply time used to pursue a thought, idea, vision, or concept. Farmers desire to work the land and reap its bounty, sailors long to tame the sea, warriors long to gain through their physical strength and power. Whatever it is that we humans do, it defines us as a person and shapes our future decision making progress.
I nearly forgot this part!
It is now a tradition.
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