IEET > Vision > Futurism > Fellows > Douglas Rushkoff
Print •
Email •
permalink •
(5) Comments •
(2611) Hits •
 subscribe •
 •
 •
 •
 •
 •
What makes me Optimistic: Human Beings Are Different
Doug Rushkoff
The Edge
Posted: Jan 2, 2007
Now that we’ve gotten false notions of “god” out of the way, we come up against the question from which He insulated us: if human beings are not the “chosen” species, then are we at least capable of transcending nature, from which we emerge?
Our most natural inclination should be to kill each other, one way or another. From plankton to pachyderms, the myth of nature as a sustainable and loving collaborative is about as absurd as that of a Creator Being. Unless we prove different from every other species, we will continue to compete with the rest of the planet for a disproportionate share of its resources — and with one another for the spoils of this ongoing war. That’s just life.
I’m optimistic that human beings can be different than the species from which we evolved, and that the endless comparisons between human culture and other species are, ultimately, specious. I hope that just because sponge colonies will fight endlessly with those of a different color need not mean that humans are destined to do the same thing.
I’m optimistic that, having been liberated from the myth of intrinsic meaning, human beings will gain the capacity to make meaning, instead. And that this unique ability will give us the opportunity to disobey biology’s commands.
Douglas Rushkoff is a fellow of the IEET, author of a dozen books and comic books, producer of two award-winning Frontline documentaries, and his essays have been published widely.
Print •
Email •
permalink •
(5) Comments •
(2612) Hits •
subscribe •
•
•
•
•
•
COMMENTS
Well said!
Jenny • Australia • May 12, 2008
It seems incredibly ironic that you present the idea of humans being ‘different’ yet simultaneously suggest that we are essentially the same as every other organism on this planet.
It’s also absolutely absurd to play this out as ‘optimism’. If we have no inherent meaning then created meaning has even less to offer. What could you, a finite being, possibly gain from living life according to something you’ve created, when you can’t even explain how it is you yourself came to exist?
Carrie • Kansas City • Nov 26, 2008
I believe since we have this hope inside us, that life must be so much more that the commands of biology which resullt in survival of the fittest, which have already been broken, as human beings have shown, this proves that human beings were created differently, and thus I believe in God and that it is not absurd at all to believe in a loving and All-powerful God who has created humans in His likeness. He has given us a this hope to not be like fighting sponge colonies.
sir , i notice something different in me ... i m all like u people ... but i know something which is really really important ... but there is something in that one ..
Thanks, Smitesh, for reviving this thread. I have some ideas to share with Mr. Rushkoff.
“Now that we’ve gotten false notions of “god” out of the way”
Yeah, but how ‘bout those true notions? Heh, just kidding.
“if human beings are not the “chosen” species, then are we at least capable of transcending nature, from which we emerge?”
I’m confused as to what are you asking. Are you asking, eg, if a rich doctor from New York decides to leave his comfortable lifestyle and live for a year in disease-infested Mali taking care of malnourished children, is he transcending nature? If so, then the answer to your question is obviously yes. I’m sure we both know of such people.
“I’m optimistic that human beings can be different than the species from which we evolved,”
Perhaps you’re optimistic because you indeed can identify such people. Not enough people to be sure, but some, nonetheless.
“I’m optimistic that, having been liberated from the myth of intrinsic meaning, human beings will gain the capacity to make meaning, instead.”
What do you mean by “I’m optimistic that human beings will gain the capacity to make meaning”? You’ve never seen an example?! Again, I suspect that you can identify such people, just not quite enough.
Besides, even people who already have a belief in intrinsic meaning still need to make their own meaning.
“And that this unique ability will give us the opportunity to disobey biology’s commands.”
Maybe they’re not “commands” after all, but rather “suggestions.”
YOUR COMMENT
Next entry: Andy Miah to work with Euro-NBIC group
Previous entry: On Limits
| 
IEET Blog