There is one reason that we have the minds that we do. This adaptation gave our ancestors the ability to adapt and survive across the globe in every environment from the coldest tundra to the hottest desert. The human mind enables a man or woman to analyze their environment and make use of very conceivable advantage that may add to their survival.
The human mind enables a person, say in coming across a deer, to construct a spear to kill it and the ability to utilize its hide for clothing, protection from the elements. With this ability comes a price, for in having the brainpower to analyze that which is outside ourselves we in turn are ever present with our inner selves which we are are always seeming to analyze. Depression easily sets in at this point. Just as Gilgamesh in his epic was struck with horror in realizing his inevitable doom, the fact that he was mortal just as any animal, that he must die one day, it is thoughts that cripple so many of us with the doom mindset.
Not only must we die, but soon. Our lives are too short to accomplish much of anything important. Just as workers would, if they were asked to build a bridge the size of the Golden Gate in five days, we throw our metaphysical tools upon the ground in realizing the futility of it all. This mindset leads people to folly. They shout, "What's the point?" For many there is no difference in a life spent working on a cure for a disease than one spent primarily watching television. Chances are you won't find anything in your searching. What's the point in building anything up at all if by the time we die all that has been built is a foundation? Many people are not willing to aim big for this reason.
We dream of heaven in our great minds, yet we know not how to build it. We are left trapped in these feeble bodies, unable to fulfill our great dreams we see within our minds, left scavenging for survival as any simple animal must. To ease our minds myths and religions are created. An architect of belief scribbles down simple explanations for natural phenomena and devises stories which, in many cultures, provides a vision of a better world, a hope when this world provides so little hope. Those stories create a diversion, fantasy worlds far, far away from the nightmare of reality within ones mind. Reality is painful in nature for one that desires more. These illusions are provided for those who seek relief.
We make up rules for what is considered the #1 creature on Earth. We often decide that it is us because of our brains for the most part. Do we swim as well as a dolphin? Run as fast as a cheetah? Do we have the sense of smell that a shark does? Would not these animals consider their own qualities the most important? What does a man become once he is stranded in the ocean? We are so very inferior there, especially to the hungry beasts who call it their home.
We suffer for our minds and still we must undergo the degradation of our bodies and die. We gather little more than a squirrel does, working for our paper bills rather than nuts. What do we have to show for all of this? Our art? Our science? We spread across the globe killing each other and so many other species. We are the killer ape, killing senselessly. There are avenues which even in the most selfish plan all may benefit, but the dumb apes that we are only know to destroy and perhaps survive. What a wretched, bizarre creature we are. If only more of us could rise above our animal selves as so many ancients recommended.
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