People Don't Need People

I lied. Well I didn't exactly lie, but I've changed my mind – and several other things. At the end of my last essay I wrote “Next episode: “Remembrance Of Things Past” – Or the forgetfulness.” Maybe I'll get around to that and maybe not, but I realized when sitting around that I'd already achieved my purpose.

Since I began spawning these narcissistic forays in October of 2010, I've written close to 375. I've spoken quite a bit of what's on my mind and, by and large, virtually everyone must agree with me since only one person has taken issue with what I've said. I refuse to believe that the reason for this is that no one is interested, but even if that were the case, if others actually read what I write, there would be concurrence with my thoughts.

Anyway, the first of my essays, “Prolegomenon,” appeared on October 5, 2010, and in it I wrote

I hope that others will benefit from my wisdom (which is a given if they read this), but even if not, just putting ideas on screen allows me to consider and develop them. I can confront my own rare logical weakness when I see (and recognize) it in front of me, and, since I always agree with the point I am trying to make, that helps me reinforce and strengthen my arguments. I make no pretense as to fair and balanced opinions. The views are my own. If I present someone else's, it's only to expound on why it is wrong.

I'm sure that the message is clear, but just in case let me explain myself. I've used this tool to help me work out some of the questions that have occurred to me – to try to come up with a better understanding of the issues and to decide on the correct answer (not just for me, but the TRUTH) to the problem I've been pondering. And I did this without even consulting Douglas Adams's computer. The answer – and it is the ultimate answer to cause of the world's problems – is not “42,” but “people,” and the computers they construct and program. If there were fewer people there would be fewer problems. And if there were none, there would be none.

The idea is, at least as far as I am concerned, worth some dilation.

Whatever issue I consider – politics, hostility in the Middle East, religion, constitutional freedoms, or almost anything else – the cause of the difficulty is human. For example, if the government isn't working (“Why,” you ask, “did he use the word 'if?' The government never works”) it's because no one is willing to hear the views of anyone who disagrees with him or to compromise; when (not “if.” I know it will happen, and I know that you'll smirk at “if”) an instance of terrorism occurs in the Middle East, it is because of people's beliefs or fears. Some people who call for freedom of speech demand that right only for themselves and would deny it to those who disagree with them; and those who are believers blame evil on people, who have free will, while those who are atheists have no choice but to agree that people are to blame.

Pogo put it best. “We have met the enemy and he is us.” We're our own worst enemies. Everyone (or at least almost everyone) practices “one-upmanship.” It's as important to us to defeat the “other” as to be right. Too often our goal is not just to help me (a more or less “acceptable” aim), but to beat you (which is more “problematic”). We're always looking for an angle or a loophole. We can't get along with each other because we always want to come out on top. Right and wrong are irrelevant.

Whether you're a Darwinist or a believer, your object is survival. It may be personal, patriotic, or religious – or there may be some other aim. But in order to accomplish it you must conquer your enemies. Life is a zero-sum “game.” Everyone's in it for himself. The one who dies with the most, wins.

The recognition of human responsibility for all our ills confirms my wish to be a hermit on a desert island. The fewer the people the better. The fewer the people, the fewer the problems. Cooperation is an illusion. Some information is OK. It's nice to be connected to the world – to know what's going on – as long as no expectations or obligations accompany that connection. Any interactions with the other participants is certain to lead to disharmony at least, with deception and competition more likely outcomes. Who needs that? I'm from the live-and-let-live school, and that will only work if I stay away from others.

And I've achieved my goal because that's the answer. It's the answer to all our problems. People are responsible. (Other people, of course.) So to have the fewest problems, stay away from people. And recognize their position as the sowers of discontent, as I do. So having clarified the issues I had five years ago, it seems to me that I have nothing to gain by continuing this series. At least not on a regular basis. If there's a particular situation or subject I want to discuss, I'll do so, but there won't be any pattern to my postings.

You're on your own.

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Well, maybe there'll be more.  People may be bad, but I'm not.  And I have more to say.  I can't help it.  Tune in next week ...