Human nature

[livendive 8]

What is it about humans that makes us want to feel superior to others?

We hold our species in higher regard than others, and are more disturbed by our own carcasses. Most people can drive by a dead cat on the road with entrails hanging out etc without feeling much more than mild sadness, but an awful lot of people would feel physically ill if it was a human in the same condition.

We hold our nations as superior to others, whether it's in a vicious manner such as that imposed by the Nazi's, or simple arrogance, such as "My country is the greatest country in the world."

We hold our religions as superior to others, postulating that only those of our particular sect will enjoy a wonderful "afterlife" and others will not (or in atheist/agnostic realms, we'll enjoy a better present life and there is no "afterlife").

We like to hold our geographical regions as superior, sometimes joking but often "on the square", (east coast/west coast, damn yankees, queerafornians, don't mess with Texas, etc).

We want to believe our schools are the best (high school rivalries, alma mater loyalty, etc).

Hell, we generally pick something as trivial as our favorite sports team based on one of two things...them being from our "region" or them being perceived as "winners."

I'm just curious if anyone has any ideas why we do these things. Do you think it's genetic or cultural? I'm leaning toward a hard-wired trait of the species, simply because it seems to have been a human tendency for all of recorded history. IF it's physical, do you suppose it's an evolved trait that helps the survival of the species?

The current political situation is a good example of the negative aspects of this trait, and I'm just wondering what people think of it. Is nationalism good for each individual country? Is it good for humanity as a whole? I don't know. I do know that everyone seems to be trying to dehumanize their enemies or in some other manner demonstrate superiority (be it moral, intellectual, religious, etc).

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[turtlespeed 226]

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Most people can drive by a dead cat on the road with entrails hanging out etc without feeling much more than mild sadness

What do you think another animal - any animal would think? My guess is that there wouldn't even be sadness.

It is because we undestand things and have a higher capacity for free thought.
Competitiveness is what allowed us to get this far.

So, in a short answer - Competition.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[kallend 2,150]

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What is it about humans that makes us want to feel superior to others?

....

IF it's physical, do you suppose it's an evolved trait that helps the survival of the species?

100,000+ years ago humans only had an advantage over both their predators and their prey by virtue of teamwork. A lone human is easy pickings for a pack of wolves or a pride of lions, and can't hunt or farm very effectively with prehistoric weapons/tools.

So I guess that those with stronger team instincts thrived. Darwin Rules!

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[lawrocket 3]

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Most people can drive by a dead cat on the road with entrails hanging out etc without feeling much more than mild sadness

What do you think another animal - any animal would think? My guess is that there wouldn't even be sadness.

No, in fact I'm sure that Joe the Crow would feel elation at the sight of Speedbump the Roadkill Kitty since it would signal a nice meal.

Human indifference? The cat doesn't do us much good or bad. So, let's not feel anythign for it. Mild sadness indicates a great quality, doesn't it? That we care about something of no use to us.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[livendive 8]

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Most people can drive by a dead cat on the road with entrails hanging out etc without feeling much more than mild sadness

What do you think another animal - any animal would think? My guess is that there wouldn't even be sadness.

I suspect you're right for most if not all other species in the example I gave (passing a dead animal on the side of the road). Then again I've seen animals mourn the loss of their mate & offspring, so they do have *some* capacity for understanding and sadness.

Remember this? Or better yet did you ever read of this?

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[livendive 8]

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100,000+ years ago humans only had an advantage over both their predators and their prey by virtue of teamwork. A lone human is easy pickings for a pack of wolves or a pride of lions, and can't hunt or farm very effectively with prehistoric weapons/tools.

So I guess that those with stronger team instincts thrived. Darwin Rules!

A good answer and one I'd already kind of supposed. Next question: Given all the subsequent battles, wars, etc, all of which kill off people who "apply" the trait to intraspecific competition, why hasn't the trait gone the way of the tonsil or slowly become something less damaging to the species? Homeostasis?

Edit to add: Just a second...How does the concept of teaming require a group to assume superiority over another?

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[billvon 3,120]

>Next question: Given all the subsequent battles, wars, etc, all of
> which kill off people who "apply" the trait to intraspecific competition,
> why hasn't the trait gone the way of the tonsil or slowly become
> something less damaging to the species?

Because evolution selects for people who win wars.

[livendive 8]

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>Next question: Given all the subsequent battles, wars, etc, all of
> which kill off people who "apply" the trait to intraspecific competition,
> why hasn't the trait gone the way of the tonsil or slowly become
> something less damaging to the species?

Because evolution selects for people who win wars.

I don't know the significance of the difference in fatalities between people who win wars and people who lose wars, but I do know that all of the population reduction happens to communities that *fight* wars.

Then again, the surviving members of the winning population will likely have better food, shelter, and wealth with which to afford things like technological and medical advances, so I guess you have a point.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[billvon 3,120]

> but I do know that all of the population reduction happens to
> communities that *fight* wars.

Way back when, the pacifists were basically exterminated by whatever aggressive tribe was roaming around (the Mongols, the Huns.) Nowadays, fewer people die in wars as a percentage of the total population. The breeding population of the US and Iraq will not be substantially affected by the current war unless the Rhinos have their way.

But then again, we are no longer products of evolution. We actively support the weaker members of society. In some cases we give them advantages we do not give the stronger members, out of our sense of fairness. This prevents the "survival of the fittest" paradigm from working.

[jakee 1,596]

The two strongest aspects of human nature
The lust for a shag,
The lust for power.
Shagging often comes along with power.
Thats pretty much it, although I suspect the need for intoxicating substances comes a pretty close third.

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[kallend 2,150]

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The two strongest aspects of human nature
The lust for a shag,
The lust for power.
Shagging often comes along with power.
Thats pretty much it, although I suspect the need for intoxicating substances comes a pretty close third.

I'm rather partial to eating and breathing too.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[jakee 1,596]

Well I breath alot but I wouldn't say that I really enjoy it...

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[markd_nscr986 0]

***What is it about humans that makes us want to feel superior to others?

well..... anthropologists would tell you its "hardwired"in our genetic make-up......survival of the fittest that sort of thing.....that was there a long time before there were any cultural trappings associated with that inner drive to be superior....most if not all other "complex" life forms possess the trait to some degree or another

Marc SCR 6046 SCS 3004

[kallend 2,150]

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Well I breath alot but I wouldn't say that I really enjoy it...

Take a break from breathing for an hour or so, and then report back...

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[PhillyKev 0]

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Most people can drive by a dead cat on the road with entrails hanging out etc without feeling much more than mild sadness

What do you think another animal - any animal would think? My guess is that there wouldn't even be sadness.

It is because we undestand things and have a higher capacity for free thought.
Competitiveness is what allowed us to get this far.

So, in a short answer - Competition.

A few years ago I was driving down the road at night and saw something in the road, so stopped. There was a dead rabbit in the middle of the road, and about a half dozen others were sitting around it in a circle looking at it. I flashed my lights, honked my horn, they didn't move. Not until I got out and walked right up to them did they hop away. Was eerie.