Is mankind on a downward spiral? Are we evolving or devolving?
I recently read an interesting article on the development of the human thumb. Because of the regularity at which children use their thumbs for game consoles like PS3, the thumb is being used more often than ever before in human history. Could this have further implications? Inventors and scientists are constantly striving towards inventing things that would make our existence on earth easier. Unfortunately, in this life of instant gratification and reduction of physical exertion, we are destroying ourselves. Obesity is the biggest health threat worldwide. The average American consumes up to 7 kilograms of food additives yearly, and between 30 and 60 kgs of unrefined sugar. This plays a significant role not only in the development of lifestyle induced disease, but also severely affects the brain!
We spend more and more time indoors behind a computer screen and thus do not get the sun exposure or movement needed by our bodies. We expose ourselves to high doses of radiation from our mobile phones, Wi-fi transmission to our computers, microwaves ovens, high voltage electric poles etc. We consume additives, pesticides, refined wheat, refined sugar and subject ourselves to high levels of stress and far too little sleep. The brain is a social organ, yet we continually and increasingly isolate ourselves from other people by getting stuck behind computers and tv screens. We manufacture weapons of mass destruction in the form of cars…(someone dies every 2 minutes as a result of car accidents). We destroy our environment through deforestation, pollution, the use of harmful gases and chemicals…and this in turn has led to the change in weather patterns resulting in loss of life and huge disasters.
So, at the end of the day, we have to ask ourselves a question: can we really call ourselves an advanced evolving race?
Here are a few shocking facts about our world:
(Taken from “50 Facts That Should Change the World” by Jessica Williams)
*The average Japanese woman can expect to live to be 84. The average Botswanan will reach just 39.
* China has 44 million missing women.
* More than 12 000 women are killed each year in Russia as a result of domestic violence.
* One in five of the world’s people live on less than 1$ per day.
* Nearly half of British fifteen year olds have tried illegal drugs and nearly a quarter are regular cigarette smokers.
* Every day, one in five of the world’s population go hungry (around 800 million)
* Ten languages die out every year.
* More people die each year from suicide than in all the world’s armed conflicts.
* There are 300 000 child soldiers fighting in conflicts around the world
* There are 27 million slaves in the world today.
* Americans discard 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour. That’s enough bottles to reach all the way to the moon every three weeks.
* Some 120 000 women and girls are trafficked into Western Europe every year.
These are just a few facts that has made me wonder about human “evolution” and being called the “superior species”. We are the masters of our own destruction, and we are becoming more and more equipped to do this effectively. In a race to cure one disease, the side-effects are causing several new diseases. The essential paradox.
Is there a solution? Can you make a difference? Well, if we all remain apathetic and feel that we can’t do anything as individuals, I have to ask the question - who will make the change then? Governments?
I guess we can just strive to think a bit about things…save water, save electricity…switch off unused appliances, walk more, plan trips (well, I guess with the electricity crisis in SA and the rising fuel costs, most South Africans are doing this?). Be a bit kinder…reach out to your friends, get away from the tv and computer a bit more often, re-use and recycle, grow your own veggies (minus the fertilizers and pesticides), get into the sun, drink more water (and use a purifier so you don’t need to buy bottled water). Smile more. Do relaxation exercises. If a million individuals start doing this, it can start a revolution…it could perhaps fuel evolution, stop devolution of mankind.
(From an unfailing optimist and believer in the essential good in people).
In South Africa today security plays a vital part in any business or private home. This book and the volumes to follow, will guide you step by step through the essential precautionary measures to be taken in protecting your family and valuables. From employing security guards, evacuation of your site and security measures to burglar bars and alarms in your private home.
a Book compiled by me from experience gained after 10 years in the security industry as Industrial relations officer with Nosa qualifications, 1st Aid, fire protection and also S.O.B. grade A.
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