Who Are You?

By Douglas Clark

Who are you? The character Kosh on the sci fi television series Babylon Five would ask that of a few of the main characters, especially during times of self-doubt or pending change. We could ask ourselves the same question. Who are we? As individuals, as a society, as a species, we are all in a constant state of flux.

Recently an article was published about the relationship of Neanderthal and Human DNA. A small yet distinctive amount of DNA from Neanderthals is present in many of the humans alive today, despite geographic, social, ethnic, or political ties. Neanderthals are a species of Homo Sapiens that is considered to be an cousin to modern day people. They had similar intelligence, physical make up, abilities and skills. Having died out, they exist now only in our genetic code. But what does that say about us? As a species that wars, fights and hates against itself, we are the sole remnant of a species now vanished from this world.  

My mind swirls with the idea that within us we hold the tiniest bit of an entire race. What were the Neanderthals dreams? What did they long for? What did they imagine when they looked up at the starry night sky? Who did they love and care for? What pains and agonies did they suffer when loved ones died?  It may seem ridiculous to contemplate such things. After all, they were just ‘cavemen’ right? Well, if you really look at it, the Neanderthals were very much like us in many ways. And no matter how you look at it, they were related to us, physically, genetically, and in my mind, intellectually as well. They weren’t exactly human, but so very close our ancestors mated with them and formed families.

So in that regard, they are our kin, on many levels. What would you do if you were the sole holder of a memory of a lost love, a child, family? Would you want to preserve that memory and cherish it? If we are the keepers of every dream, desire, aspiration, and struggle of a lost race, shouldn’t we try harder to celebrate our commonalities, rather than fight because of our differences? The legacy of two human races depends on it. Think about it…

Thanks for reading.

Questions and Comments are welcome. 

DouglasHClark.com

What's Your Involvement?

by Douglas Clark

So I’ve been thinking. Is it too much to say that Humans have effected the Earth? Put aside the tinfoil hat, conspiracy theory nuts jobs, the dollar-hungry political pundits, the career-minded politicians, and the ignorant electorate for a moment and just think: Do human actions effect the Earth?

I was reading an article recently about Global Warming and the possibility of Human Extinction. I also just received the latest issue of National Geographic. In it was a story of rising seas and human involvement regarding climate change. I’ve been following this topic for quite some time. My personal belief is that Humans are altering the biosphere of this planet without understanding the long-term effects. Hell, if you don’t believe that pollution and global warming are happening, think about running your car inside the garage with the door closed. It gets pretty hot in there and the air is quite unbreatheable. 

Okay, that’s a simplification of the overall process but really, how is the Earth any different when it comes to our activities, except much larger? I’m not a scientist, but when it comes to the climate, I know enough to listen more to the guy that has a doctorate in climatology than to morons like Rush Limbaugh who know next to nothing about science. But whether you believe in global warming, climate change, Bigfoot, or gremlins, does it ever bother you that how you live your life might just be detrimental to the next generation?

I have a daughter. She just had her 10^th birthday. It pains me to think of the deplorable conditions the Earth might be in when she’s my age. Yes, some scientists say that by 2100 the Earth will be uninhabitable. Now I’m not such a doomsayer, but I do believe the last century’s worth of abuse we’ve visited upon the environment will be felt, and most painfully I might add. I know some people just don’t care, some people are selfish, some people are so greedy and power hungry and they’ll spite the world for a modicum of power. I’ll go all conspiracy theory for a second and say sometimes, I believe that those in power are just a bit sociopathic to do the things they do and still pretend that everything was done for the good of all. In my day-to-day life though, I just think, “What am I doing to make my daughter’s life and future better?” Because honestly that’s what I really care about. All of my dreams and hopes, aspirations and wants, accomplishments and endeavors are all secondary to her being safe, happy, with the potential for a better life. Like I said, some people don’t think that way, but I don’t think they should be the ones making the decisions that affect my daughter’s life and future.

So, what are you doing to improve your life and your world? Anything? Do you care about the greater good? I’m not saying you have to, but if you care at all about self-improvement, to me, communal improvement should follow right behind. At the very least, I would suggest educating yourself on personal improvement, and the effect people have on their surroundings. What you find might just blow your mind.

Thanks for reading.

 Questions and comments are welcome.

DouglasHClark.com