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The Hierarchy of the Species... short essay,,,,
    #9559379 -

Sorta wrote this up on a whim the other day, revised it some... I think I made some cohesive points, it was sorts inspired by some thoughts I had floating around my mind last acid trip on newyears eve...

The hierarchy of the species... We are all tyrants, one and all. It has been said time and time again; life feeds on life, thus goes the cycle or rather ebb and flow of the phenomenon we call life. Any organism that has pursued power and freedom, having been successful enough to stake a genetic claim, surely could be accused as a species as tyrannical. But what does nature care about tyranny? Why do many of us think something went wrong? As we humans have reached such a level of supreme earthly sentience it is true many feel obligated to define “good and evil” actions, but perhaps this is due to a sheltered and forgetful consciousness?

Our species more strife-filled eons are no doubt hard to fathom for us. But as the human being has dominated nature one could imagine a slow decline in the conquering mindset among the average men. In my mind the highest degree of respect goes to those tyrants of early man who forged our species supreme success. It is amazing to imagine how many forms of higher “apes” were transcended and lost in humanities emergence as the highest form of an organism that delights the most in sending more blood to the brain than to the muscles! How conniving we must have been!

Our species has perhaps long been over abundant in benefactors that have no idea how difficult it was to become what we are; fate leaves us out of so much. Surely the human race’s prehistory was full of unspeakable things for the contemporary human (just watch most peoples reaction to the food chain in action). The pinnacle of dominance on this earth is no doubt man, it remains a marvel how balanced nature is, and it is as if the different species form an amazingly balanced continuum which reflects the drama of conflicting wills. But for us humans one of the most important questions seems to be, at what point did humans become conscious enough to despair? Was it because of our species overflowing? Is it a sickness from too much success? Could it been because of rebellion against God? Or is that too crude, too simple? Is not modern man a parallel to the infirmities of the bastard children that scavenge for scraps from the bounty provided by warriors in tribes long forgotten?


any comments would be noice :gethigh:


--------------------
Jesus loves you.

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Re: The Hierarchy of the Species... short essay,,,, [Re: andrewss]
    #9559527 -

Can you find an introduction, a thesis, a body, and a conclusion? I can't. You seem to have several ideas vying for the spotlight, which I found slightly confusing.

I think your essay would benefit from a more structured approach: What exactly are you trying to argue? How can you convey your thoughts clearly and efficiently? Do you make a strong case?

Lastly, I don't think the multiple questions you raise in the final paragraph work toward a better understanding of the subject at hand. I think questions in an essay are fine, as long as they are answered. Sometimes rhetorical questions, properly worded and placed, are effective as well; but, I feel your speculative questions did not further your point.

And I'm sorry for only focusing on what I thought needed work. I'm only trying to be constructive. :tongue:

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Re: The Hierarchy of the Species... short essay,,,, [Re: Cameron]
    #9559649 -

yeah I know what you are saying, a lot of times I have a hard time connecting thoughts really well when I rabble on, but then again sometimes its intended to just provoke thought. Like what reactions could someone have from as it is? I am not sure I intended at that moment to form a really cohesive point. Either way I know what you are saying and I appreciate the feed back :wink:


--------------------
Jesus loves you.

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Re: The Hierarchy of the Species... short essay,,,, [Re: andrewss]
    #9559775 -

Hey andrews

Would you really want a structure or a point? If there was a point, it would be as cogent as an angry dog.

On the other hand, figuring as to what pre-existing structures this applies to is something i can see as useful. For instance, I think the leap from capitalist to humanitarian is in the present situation, fit for such emphasis. No doubt, it is useful to know what us humans are actually doing. But human is not a humanism.

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Re: The Hierarchy of the Species... short essay,,,, [Re: daytripper23]
    #9559792 -

Can you elaborate?

Anyway, yeah I am not afraid to not have a really reducible point laid out obviously, a lot of times when I write I am no where near that purpose, a lot of times I write provoke more thought. Its hard to nail down much, besides that can take the fun/freedom out in many cases...


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Jesus loves you.

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Re: The Hierarchy of the Species... short essay,,,, [Re: andrewss]
    #9561264 -

I think you describe something we cannot ignore. This fundamental energy is our animalism. As for a humanism; the message, or the point, what could these ideas suggest? That we all devour each other?

I think it is incredibly useful and relevant to our particular age, to be aware of this fundamental energy, that is the will to power. But this is only so we don't delude ourselves into think we have transcended this. Using our understanding of this energy to justify certain actions, or in other words, to humanize this energy, is dangerous.

In our human ability to contemplate this energy, it is tempting to specify extrinsic goals. A person might begin to think that certain actions are justified by the nature of this energy. But this doesn't make sense. This energy is just energy, with no reason to it. There can be no outside reference of this energy to specific goals or motives, precisely because it IS them. As Nietzsche would have it: "The world itself is the will to power - and nothing else! And you yourself are the will to power - and nothing else!"

This whole situation reminds me a bit of Shunryu Suzuki, from Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind. After looking up the quote I wanted, it seems that there is a bit of extra content in the quote, but I think its still quite relevant in contemplation of energy, direction, and motive.

Quote:
The Bodhisattva's way is called "the single-minded way,"
or "one railway track thousands of miles long." The railway
track is always the same. If it were to become wider or
narrower, it would be disastrous. Wherever you go, the
railway track is always the same. That is the Bodhisattva's
way. So even if the sun were to rise from the west, the
Bodhisattva has only one way. His way is in each moment
to express his nature and his sincerity.
We say railway track, but actually there is no such thing.
Sincerity itself is the railway track. The sights we see from
the train will change, but we are always running on the
same track. And there is no beginning or end to the track:
beginningless and endless track. There is no starting point
nor goal, nothing to attain. Just to run on the track is our
way. This is the nature of our Zen practice.
But when you become curious about the railway track,
danger is there. You should not see the railway track. If you
look at the track you will become dizzy. Just appreciate
the sights you see from the train. That is our way. There is
no need for the passengers to be curious about the track.
Someone will take care of it; Buddha will take care of it.




PS if you're interested, here is a link to a free online pdf of the classic in its entirety.
Zen Mind Beginner's Mind

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