AGGRESSION ADVANCED US, AGGRESSION WILL DESTROY US
Wars are started with
words by politicians and fought by the masses with bullets.
Home sapiens has a rather checkered past and quite literally
we have gone from cave to the moon in a blink of cosmic time. Earth’s natural history spans billions of
years and has gone through some amazing transformations. My novel: They were like Angels—is an amazing
story that chronicles the Earth journey and in it I have taken license of using
intelligent design to explain away some of life’s mysteries that still confound
us to this day and which challenge evolution.
I do stick with evolution however to explain human behavior and
development and in my novel: Energy & Origin—I fully explain why evolution
explains who we are and more importantly, where we’re headed and why. I had fun imagining and hypothesizing in They
were like Angels, but I prefer to stick with proven facts and the kind of
deductions that usually prove to be correct when scrutinized against verifiable
experiments and studies.
Evolution is not only about the development of species and
adaptation, but also about behavior and how a species reacts within its
environment, and why. For reasons I
can’t fully explain some ape species branched off into various humanoid-like
creatures. An upright stance probably
came with some interesting advantages and disadvantages—the ability to carry
things in the arms and to use weapons, walking or running over greater
distances—but losing the ability to hide in trees and escape. Necessity is the mother of invention and once
we left the jungle behind the world became our oyster and we never looked back.
Don’t worry about the
giant sloth, it is people we need to be concerned about.
The strength and abilities of a species, to not only survive,
but to dominate, is by and large due to its level of aggression. In record time we have emerged as the most
aggressive and dominant species to ever inhabit planet Earth. Aggression is the common denominator behind
innovation: to be the best, the victor, the boss, the wealthiest, the fastest
and strongest. Aggression invites
competition and adversaries, an ongoing contest for supremacy. A lengthy introduction, but I do hope that I
have your undivided attention. If you’re
starting to feel slightly uncomfortable, you should be.
Because . . .
Our levels of
aggression are only intensifying.
To explain the progressive nature of aggression I will place
it against the current conflicts that are grabbing international
headlines. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,
Israel’s punitive actions in Gaza and Lebanon, the unilateral trade conflicts
initiated by Trump and company and their unchallenged activities in regards to
Venezuela and Cuba and of course the latest in political gaffes and blunders, the
bombing of Iran initiated once again, unilaterally by the USA and Israel,
leading to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Led by three, unprincipled, bad actors, one of the questions that
inevitably arises is the following: Why aren’t they challenged by the global
community? Why is international
condemnation so incredibly muted? One of
the hallmarks of unchecked aggression is the delusional assumption by the perpetrators
that they will not be challenged because they are walking around with a
superiority complex brought on by perceived military strength and prowess. The appearance of being unopposed!
The escalation of
aggression.
Desperately looking for
solutions, for an escape or a way out.
Our species is facing an existentialist crisis that is threatening
global stability and when this happens a rare breed of psychotic leaders emerges
in some nations, the variety that resorts to beating the living crap out of
anything and anybody perceived to be standing in their way, because, in their
simplistic minds the nations they are attacking are preventing them from
restoring balance and prosperity for their tribe. (Go figure, Canada, my nation and recognized
as of one of the nicest in the world, is one of them?) It is only their narrow minded view of the world
that counts. America first, Israel
first, Russia first. Now is the time to
seize the upper hand because we have the nasty toys to back it up with. And . . . what are “they” going to do about
it.
Let’s start with
Ukraine as a classic example.
Why did Russia attack Ukraine (again)? The Crimea was handed them on a silver
platter and without barely a ripple because the then Ukrainian president was a
Moscow stooge. Paid to step aside. The second time around was in part a
calculated risk. A: would the new
president, Zelensky, resist or cave in quickly when faced with the threat of an
invasion? B: there was an assumption
that overwhelming Russian military might would crumble any resistance within a
matter of a few days or weeks. C: would
anyone bother to come to Ukraine’s aid?
The nation has a checkered history of flip-flopping from independence to
being occupied and incorporated within the greater Russian empire. It is a bit like Taiwan. A lot of verbal saber rattling from other
nations, but nobody with enough stomach or a desire to come to its aid when
push comes to shove. That famous
crossing the red line challenge or that infamous line drawn in the global
sandbox. Fists raised, elbows up, stiff
upper lip, all the predictable theatrics from nervous politicians and generals
as the rhetoric is turned up a notch or two.
NATO for instance is well aware of the fact that any kind of active
military interference on their part could trigger a major global conflict. Sane leaders tread softly, hoping and praying
that they can persuade the aggressors to put a lid on it.
Why are they having a
hard time?
Aggression, once unleased, is like hate: it has to run its
course. Belligerents rarely head back to
the negotiating table because none of their reasoning/excuses for what they
have unleashed stands up to scrutiny. In
part it is about saving face because none of these characters want to go down
in the history books as losers.
Vietnam was a textbook example of military and political
blundering and I don’t think any historian has been able to be the right spin
on it. However, the fall of Saigon
morphed into the books as a lasting American hurrah. Airlifting hundreds of civilians to safety,
active collaborators whose lives would have been in serious jeopardy if they
had stayed or were left behind. It
inspired books and movies. Who can
forget the images from Afghanistan when desperate people tried to get on
evacuation planes, running beside them on the runway as they taxied away,
pleading, crying!
A total disregard for
human lives and the rule of law.
The current batch of global troublemakers and tyrants have
lulled themselves into an impression of being invincible. It is the delusional aspect of ‘temporary’
superior power and that it will last! In
reality it is an awkward one-way path they’ve embarked upon and there is no
going back. Sane leaders on the other
hand are well aware of the fact that not a single war has ever been decisive. History shows that all tribes eventually
retreat back within their own borders and only a handful are content to
assimilate and join the invader. Mexico
for instance lost huge tracts of land to the USA and the lure for the invaded
to throw in their lot with the conquerors probably had something to do with the
fact that the grass was indeed greener.
We don’t see too many former Mexicans itching to get back to Mexico!
Without a certain level
of aggression nothing happens. But it
doesn’t come with a governor!
Without a certain amount of aggression we wouldn’t get up in
the morning or we would be like the giant sloth, barely moving, hanging in
there, “Please, not too much excitement.
Don’t startle me.” Our levels of
aggression have only increased over time, because it is the competition and the
prospect of losing a dominant position that continues to occupy the political
and military hearts and minds of nations.
In the natural world the behaviors that humans display don’t make any
sense at all. It is counterproductive
and destructive. It is that dreaded
superior intelligence that has propelled Homo sapiens to the top of an
imaginary peak. We are saddled with a
superiority complex that has no equal and it is not restrained by
anything. We try. We talk endlessly about compassion, ethics,
morality, mindfulness and of course we endlessly flog that love-thy-neighbor
kind of thing when we’re not involved in yet another war or conflict and then
all odds are off and we’re right back to scrapping and bashing in heads. That aggression of ours has not improved our
behaviors towards each other and the sad fact that we’re constantly devising
better and more deadly ways to kill and destroy is not a positive sign. Aggression is also blurring the lines that
should define our humanity. Bad attracts
more attention than good.
You can’t “right talk” aggression and it shows in the
bombastic behaviors displayed by the likes of Trump, Putin and Netanyahu. Most of us are stumped by the insouciant
behavior of these bad actors and the pathetic lines emanating from their
mouths. Most of us when confronted by
blatant and out-of-control aggression are at a loss as to what to do about
it. Bad actors are getting away with
murder because none of our institutions are designed to deal with the worst
mankind can bring to bear on itself. Global
conferences instigated to promote unity and a resolve to deal with global
problems are in fact little more than pitiful efforts to deflect our true
nature and intent, because none have been effective or have produced lasting
results. Aggression gets in the way
every time.
Aggression doesn’t like democracy.
One of the reasons democracy around the world is fraying
around the edges is that its principles go right against the grain of the
evolutionary traits we have developed and aggression is one of the worst
because it promotes dominance over other species, including our own. It is not about equals, about fairness and
equality. That is the kind of window
dressing we have designed for appearances sake.
Sound bites and optics rather than concrete action.
The lure behind aggression is easy to explain: it produces
results if applied with sufficient force and determination. Look at the victims of aggression and how
most of them lack the manpower and strength to hit back. The Caucasian race used slavery and
colonialism to rapidly advance its wealth and global supremacy. When we engaged in these deplorable practices
our superiority couldn’t be denied and it persists to this day. We don’t lift a finger to bring former
colonies up to our level and status of affluence and competitiveness. Our disdain for other cultures is
legendary. Lip service when it comes to
extending proper respect and treatment.
The entire Middle East is a prime example of how they have been treated
with total disregard and disrespect. We
dictate. We invade. We don’t listen. We take and demand.
Aggressors don’t justify their actions because none will
stand up in international courts or meet globally accepted moral and ethical
standards. They’re definitely not
plagued by a guilty consciousness.
Basically they are painting themselves into an awkward corner because
they can only “justify” their behavior by maintaining the upper hand. Prime example: If the USA and Israel would
withdraw from the Strait of Hormuz and stop their bombing raids, an
international court may find them guilty of war crimes and liable for damages
and compensation. A heartfelt Mea Culpa
from these bad actors? Give your head a
good shake. No apologies will be
forthcoming. No reconciliation. No restitution. Nations playing the aggression card know that
you’re either all in, or all out.
There is no cure.
Once bad political actors ignite the worst in us, stoking the
fires of nationalism and patriotism, ramping up potential threats, blaming the usual
predictable scapegoats and all of it delivered with a virulence that can’t fail
to ignite the masses, and oh boy, when they do, does it ever get results! It’s like striking a match to a tinder dry bonfire
and setting it ablaze. The worst mistake
we can make is trying to rationalize this as a malaise that can be
treated. Aggression once unleashed in
all its power takes the masses right back to primordial behaviors and
instincts. The antithesis that
eventually sets in towards the end of every conflict or war resembles a bad
hangover and I am reminded of images and documentaries of surrender, long lines
of haggard looking individuals, defeat etched on their faces, but also
relief. That it is finally over. No more killing. No more shooting. Like waking up from a nightmare. All they want to do is to go home.
How nasty is aggression?
Our levels of aggression are all about exclusivity,
exploitation, oppression and dominance.
Earth is home to millions of different lifeforms and none have evolved
or behave like we do. In the greater
scheme of things we have turned into an anomaly because we exist at the expense
of everything around us. Our level of
aggression is illogical, dangerous and unhealthy and it will destroy us.
Almost all nations are up to their eyeballs in debt to fuel
this preposterous cycle of military buildup and aggression. It doesn’t produce wealth. It only detracts. Funded by tax dollars that are mainly
borrowed and which have become part of that infamous governance model we’re all
addicted to: Deficit financing and spending which has turned into an
out-of-control debt spiral.
The aggression gene is progressive and therefore deadly. In record time our species has developed from
a hunter-gatherer into a deadly, confrontational force that contributes nothing
to the longevity of life on Earth and instead leaves behind a wanton path of
destruction. I do hope that I made some
sense of the heading of this article.
Please, feel free to comment or share.
Purchase my novel Energy & Origin from KDP Amazon.ca and
if this article doesn’t open your eyes, that novel will.
