Who Gave Birth To You, Greed and Selfishness?

In the tapestry of human emotions and desires, few threads are as twisted and as dark as those of greed and selfishness. Their origins are multifaceted and deeply rooted in human history and behavior evolution. But one weft, observed carefully, explains it all: IGNORANCE.

At the dawn of humanity, the instinct to survive was paramount. The early humans didn't have the luxury of abundant resources, and as such, acquiring and sometimes hoarding resources was a matter of life and death. What we now call 'greed' might have been a survival strategy in ancient times. The one who gathered the most might have been the one who survived the harshest winter or drought.

Selfishness, too, has its roots in our primitive desires. The urge to prioritize oneself can be seen in many species, not just humans. By ensuring their survival and well-being, an individual ensured the continuation of their genes. From an procreation perspective, being selfish made sense.

But as humanity evolved, so did our societies and moral constructs. We moved from being mere survivors to builders of civilizations. Sharing and cooperation became the cornerstone of human progress. Cities were built, societies were formed, and the concept of community became integral to our existence. The old instincts of greed and selfishness, however, did not simply vanish. They evolved, took new forms, and manifested in different ways.

Religious and philosophical texts throughout history have grappled with these impulses. The Bible, for instance, is replete with stories warning against greed and selfishness. From the tale of Adam and Eve, driven by the desire to have more knowledge, to the Israelites hoarding manna despite God's instructions, the dangers of succumbing to these impulses are clear.

Culture, upbringing, personal experiences, and societal structures further influence these tendencies. An environment that promotes ruthless competition might breed more greed and selfishness than one which emphasizes cooperation and community.

The media and modern consumerism also play a part. The constant barrage of messages that equate success with material acquisition can fan the flames of greed. Similarly, the incessant push towards individual achievement can sometimes amplify selfish tendencies.

However, it's essential to understand that while greed and selfishness have been part of our journey as a species, so have compassion, generosity, and altruism. Just as there are tales of greed, there are stories of sacrifice and selflessness. The choice of which path to tread is, ultimately, in our hands.

Now, let's see how ignorance leads people to become greedy and selfish.

1. Not Understanding Enough Means Fear: In most cases, when we don't understand that the world has enough for everyone, we get scared. We think, "What if I run out of things?" This fear makes people want to grab more and keep it all for themselves. That's greed.

2. Not Knowing Consequences: If someone doesn't know that being greedy can hurt themselves and others, they might think it's okay to take more than they need. Taking more than you need, whilst others are deprived of their shares, we end up becoming the focus of the people's hunger and anger leading to anxiety and paranoia. The joy that we so cherished eludes us for the rest of our life.

3. Missing the Big Picture: Imagine watching a movie and only seeing one corner of the screen. You'd miss a lot, right? In the same way, if people don't understand how everything and everyone is connected, they think it's okay to take too much or only care about themselves, only to find themselves reaping what they had sown.

4. Thinking Short-term, Not Long-term: Sometimes, when people don't know better, they only think about what they want right now and forget about the future. This makes them grab and heap things for themselves in the short-term yet obsolesces makes nonsense of their toil and sweat.

Whilst the list may be endless, the fact still stands that greed and selfishness are just symptoms of a chronic disease called ignorance. So the next time you see a greedy and selfish person, do not envy his/her fear and insecurity which find him/her grabbing more but being impoverished of love, peace and security.