Aloha;
Living with, or around, other human beings requires that sooner or later some level of order, or understanding, be reached between those who are in a given environment. This is so that they may manage resources, or conflict. When two or more people agree that an idea is worth pursuing, and then act upon their decision, the power of that idea grows.
They become a group of two, which is also a group of us. Whether the group of us is large, with many adherents to further its’ objectives. Or only a small membership of us, who have highly motivated adherents. Any group may have an impact on society, or its future.
It is clear that various groups of people exert this influence on our society every day. Some groups of us are consumers. and our buying choices and habits affect prices, and the availability, of given commodities, products, and services. Regulating access to the things society requires to satisfy our mutual need for survival.
Some groups of us are producers, such as farmers, fishermen, miners, and manufacturers. Their production choices and decisions allocate resources, and direct their use. And helps them address market demands. This also impacts the variety and quality of what production comes to market. Along with what we ultimately buy.
There are groups of us which have deemed informing, and teaching others, as the most important contribution they should devote their thoughts and talents to. Every group of us shares at least commonality however; that being the ideas the members of the group agree on.
These beliefs, and shared perspectives are the glue which holds that group of us together. Once a person has accepted the group as a larger image of themselves, they will be as quick to vigorously defend the group and its beliefs as they would defend themselves.
In fact, a great many of the ideas we have developed over the generations are now adopted, and accepted, as valid things to believe, or correct positions to take. It is inevitable that some of these ideas will clash with other points of view.
When such a condition exists, and people who hold these differing belief systems meet, there is a real possibility for suspicion, and mistrust. Since, if you are not one of us, then you must be one of them. This means competition for the group’s belief structure. In some situations, consideration of differing beliefs is heresy.
There are many other groups of people, in all ‘walks of life,’ which have their own specific understanding about what is best for their group; and by extension, what is best for the world at large. Often the aims of many differing groups of people overlap sufficiently enough so that common goals, and rules of behavior are possible; which helps make them obtainable.
However, as the world view of differing groups of people become more stratified; and their resultant plans of action for dedicating resources differs; decisions about where, and how those resources shape the future, will also diverge; which in turn, increases the likelihood of strife.
So just as surely as a group of us evaluates the world in a given way, there are many other groups of people who are not us; and who do not share an understanding of the world the same way we do. Each one of them is automatically a competitor for the group of us and our world view.
When the goals and actions of these other groups interfere with the goals and actions chosen by us, they become an obstacle; and a potential threat to us. But one should keep in mind that although it is natural to mistrust them; a group of them are only a group of us. And therefore deserve the same consideration and respect we want for us.
Respectfully Yours,
J. A. Stubbs, Editor-In-Chief
Forgotten Lore Publishing, llc