Contextualizing the Human Condition By Ben Charo Imagine for a moment that there exists a book containing behavioral

and physical descriptions for every single animal Earth has to offer. If you were leaf through the pages of such a book, you would notice the amazing variety of mechanisms creatures have adapted to best cope with their natural environments. You might take note of the Great White Shark, with its conveyer belts of razor sharp teeth, or the Coast Horned Lizard which can shoot blood out of its eyes as a means of defense. Maybe youre interested in carnivorous plants, or perhaps poison dart frogs are more to your taste. I doubt, however, that many people would choose the human being as their favorite animal. Last I checked, we cant sprint over 60 miles an hour like a cheetah, or hold our breath for hours at a time. By many standards, it would seem that we might be one of the most boring creatures Earth has to offer. Yet, ironically, humans are probably one of the most unique species to have ever existed. After years of cultural, technological, and societal development, we have acquired the ability to essentially remove ourselves from the competition occurring in our own backyards. We are no longer part of the natural world, but an outside force looking in. This capability is entirely derived from our highly capable brains, which allow us to think, to ponder, to ask questions, to emote, to connect to one another, and to do an infinity of other things. The only reason I can write this opinion article is because of this ability. However, our mental strength leaves us with some very perplexing questions. What does it mean to be human? Does having advanced mental capacity mean were superior to all other creatures? Does having a powerful brain mean were special somehow? Does it give meaning to our existence? If so, what does it life truly mean? First, I think its important to begin by outlining the human condition as it stands. Today, we have separated ourselves almost entirely from nature. Mankind has advanced to the point where it exists in environments of its own making, where predatory attack, supply of food, shelter, and disease are essentially irrelevant. In this modern world, our days are completely dominated by human contact. From the break of dawn until the moment we fall asleep, we are surrounded by members of our own species. I feel that this amount of human interaction represents an excess; that through constant engagement in the human world our vision has become narrowed to the point where social behavior is all that matters. We become so wrapped up in our own existence (living in the moment, if you will) that we lose sight of the bigger picture. However, its important to remember that in the end, were still just a couple of pages in the big book of Earth biology. Our ability to isolate ourselves doesnt take away from the fact that we are still animals, and as such, we have no reason to place ourselves on such a high pedestal above the rest of the flora and fauna that exist. Indeed, it seems to me that as a whole, mankind feels a strange sense of entitlement or superiority in this regard. We as a species dont view this planet as a home, but as a set of resources, designed and constructed for our own benefit. The animals that surround us are given far less respect than they deserve, simply because we believe our intelligence places us above them. The reality of the situation, as I see it, is that in the grand scheme, we are not nearly as important as we believe ourselves to be. Our sentience is not some divinely granted gift, but rather, like

all other adaptations, the result of millions of years of evolution. Assigning value to our mental capacities would be like assigning value to a hammer. Though the hammer is certainly useful, it isnt worth any more or less than any of the other tools in the shed. So what does it truly mean, then, to be human? In my opinion, being human doesnt necessarily mean anything. If humans are simply another creature on planet earth, why would we assume to have some sort of grander purpose? We are but one species of millions, and yet, we have the gall to assume that we have some sort of greater destiny simply because we can think, while others cannot. This assumption strikes me as distinctly illogical. I believe a more appropriate thought would be this one: that we exist simply because we can. That the human race isnt working toward any higher goal, and that in the end, our lives hold no more weight than the lives of any other creature. If, then, you were to ask me what the point of life was, I would respond that there was none. But why is living a pointless existence such a bad thing? In a sense, is it not liberating to know that we exist merely because its possible to do so? That in the end, we have the freedom to do whatever we want with our time here? Our sentience has given as opportunities nature may not have intended to give us. In todays age, the world is our sandbox; we can explore, enjoy, and yes destroy it if we wish. But why would we? Why not enjoy and take advantage of the time we have. Why not utilize our unique powers to feel fun, love, happiness, and fulfillment. Im not suggesting we all start doing whatever we want whenever we want, but I am proposing we start dedicating more of our time to doing what makes us truly happy, not what others want of us. At the same time, however, we must begin placing the human condition in context. In the end, every organism on this planet carries the exact same worth as we do, and as such, we ought to give them the attention and care they deserve. This concept applies to other humans as well, who have just as much of a right to happiness as we do. As citizens of a modern, ever advancing world, I believe its essential we take into account our own insignificance. We must strive to avoid becoming too wrapped up in our own abilities, to do what pleases us, and to continue to remember the context of our existence.