Letter to the editor:

Trampling death reveals base human nature

Nikolas D. Skalkotos, Las Vegas

Tuesday, 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?

Discussion: 2 comments so far…

By blondie8000

12/2/08 at 8:39 a.m.

Suggest removal

Unfortunately what you have observed has been observed by many of us. We forget that humans invented civilization to reduce the negative, and support the whole of humanity.
By KDR81

12/2/08 at 12:36 p.m.

Suggest removal

We could always go back to the communal medieval life where energy came from wood fires, people worked 12 hours a day, there were no medications, the rich paid no taxes, the poor were landed serfs (and made up 95% of the population), the average income was $2 a day, education was on the job training from your dad or mom, and your hut better be next to a castle because bandits, vagrants, and Vikings stalk the land ready to kill at will, and oh life expectancy was about 40 years.

Won't that be fun? -_-

Oh wait, not only are we more civilized, we are wealthier, and we live much better.