Nikolas D. Skalkotos, Las Vegas

Tue, Dec 2, 2008 (2:03 a.m.)

In reference to the recent trampling and consequent death of the Wal-Mart employee, I have a serious question that pertains to our gluttonous and self-centered modern society.

Although many people feel uncomfortable with the thought that there is no difference between human and animal, experts in various fields of science tell us in a not-so-transparent way that the supposition of “no difference” is to a certain extent true.

Each species of animal in the known world has its own natural way of communicating, organizing, transacting, managing, implementing and realizing its survival needs — not much different from the way humans live. The above-mentioned fundamental traits are not unique to humans.

So, like it or not, we are indubitably part of the animal realm. Yet, our egocentrism leads us to believe we are the most advanced species in the animal world. So then, if our self-assessment of supremacy happens to be correct and indeed we are so much more endowed than the rest of the animals, why, in innumerable cases, do we behave far more badly than the most bloodthirsty beasts of the lawless jungle? I guess the theory of “no difference” answers my question.

I am not an authority on the subject, but I am a member of the human race and it annoys me to the utmost seeing many people behaving as if nothing virtuous is guiding them in life and only greed, gluttony, voracity, selfishness, malice, wickedness and their insatiable self-indulgence. I could possibly tolerate this kind of behavior from the bloodthirsty animals of the wild jungle but not from the ones who are supposedly civilized humans; but again, are we really civilized?