Posted by LlurpsieNoodle on June 24, 2007, at 16:01:43
In reply to What if?, posted by Guy on June 23, 2007, at 12:20:52
Somehow, humans have always been able to get their meds. We are a very resilient species. Think of the wide-scale human tragedies and traumas of the last century. The holocaust, World Wars, Darfur, central and east africa in general. the dust bowl. Somehow humans manage to survive extreme conditions, even before modern psychiatry. The ability to brew alcohol from any fruit or grain under the sun is one testament to our inventiveness. From sweet potatoes to peach juice hooch to aged bordeaux... There's a reason why alcohol and natural remedies are passed down throughout the generations.
My best guess is that in extreme circumstances the human psychology will kick in to preserve life. Quality of life may suffer, but it's also amazing how fear is the greatest teacher. Leaning into the pain as an opportunity to truly understand the world, of which one's own nature is a microcosm.
[yeah, I stole that last idea from Pema Chödron- not that clever myself]
bonds form between unlikely individuals. Our true social nature is exposed in its most extreme.
The threat is to our current lifestyle, which is always changing anyhow. One day at the beach the ocean recedes, and fish are flapping in the sun, and out of compassion for life, Thai tourists run out and try to throw them back into the sea, only to be drowned a moment later.
In order to survive, humans will have to LIVE through adversity, not just blunt the sharp edges of life with meds.
and another one from Pema "Only by facing anihiliation over and over again can we learn that part of us which is indestructible."
-Ll
poster:LlurpsieNoodle
thread:765202
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20070617/msgs/765447.html