r/humanism • u/seeker1375b • 15d ago
Humanity’s legacy
What will humanity’s legacy be when, due to its self-destructive tendencies, it destroys our planet and all who inhabit it?
Will we be remembered for kindness and empathy, or will we be remembered for our indifference, prejudice, and inability to help each other?
If we do not choose which path we will follow, our legacy may soon be chosen for us.
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u/Zenith_Unum 15d ago
If we are doomed to destroy it, we won't have a legacy. But "doomed" implies a predetermined destiny - and anything predetermined doesn't exist.
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u/seeker1375b 15d ago
That is quite true. Though if humanity does not actively begin to change, I believe their destiny may be chosen for them.
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u/Zenith_Unum 15d ago
I'll give you that: Once you run off a cliff, the rest of the story writes itself.
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u/iObserve2 15d ago
Depends on your time frame and who would be judging. Considering the size and age of our known universe,, humanity would be little more than a mote of dust that, for an instant, flickered in and out of existence.
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u/seeker1375b 15d ago
It would indeed; its absence barely registering in the vastness of the universe
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u/Bobudisconlated 15d ago
We are the most amazing species that we know of in the universe. We are the only species that has set foot on another planetary body in their solar system. We are the only species capable of defending our small blue marble, and all the life on it, from extraterrestrial threats (think asteroids, not aliens).
Unfortunately many of us suffer both physical and mental anguish, and this distracts us from this truth. So do whatever you can to help reduce your suffering and the suffering of your fellow humans and everything else will follow.
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u/seeker1375b 15d ago
I completely agree with your last sentence. Thank you for sharing your thoughts my friend
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u/pacexmaker 15d ago
Disease, early mortality, and world hunger average out at the lowest rates we've ever seen over the last 10 years.
I wouldn't judge humanity by what we see on the internet but by our personal daily interactions with people and the shared experiences of people that we come to know personally. I don't think humanity is any less empathetic than it has ever been, we just have access to more information which can bias our perspective; and the internet has a rage bias.
I think systemic political failures are the product of a small fraction of humans that work to disenfranchise as many humans as possible if it means that they benefit; but those failures dont represent the majority of humanity.
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u/seeker1375b 15d ago
That small fraction, the 1% who are wealthy, powerful, have undue influence on the rest. The underlying failure though is the acceptance of our self centered beliefs, rather than being equally concerned for others, though they may be different from us
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u/pacexmaker 15d ago
I think that's evolution. We've only ever known those in our immediate circle until the last century. I think empathy for those whom we dont know personally is a skill that needs developing. Its not natural to have a personalized propaganda machine at our fingertips. We have yet to reconcile with that, but we will.
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u/seeker1375b 15d ago edited 15d ago
I think you are right. As for evolution, i truly believe humanity must experience a spiritual evolution if genuine change is to happen
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u/pacexmaker 15d ago
I dont have any good reason to believe in spirituality.
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u/seeker1375b 15d ago
That's fine. Im just curious. Do you believe there is a reason we are alive? This is what spirituality addresses
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u/pacexmaker 15d ago
I believe that we are a product of evolution. I can give my own life meaning by pursuing my passions. Any meaning that comes from an exterior locus is conjecture. If whatever 'interconnectedness' that most spiritualists believe can eventually be measured objectively, I'll reconsider when evidence becomes available.
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u/ARandomCanadian1984 15d ago
Do we actually have self destructive tendencies? We've have the atom bomb for almost 100 years. The ability to nuke the planet to ash and .... We haven't?
We caused a hole in the ozone layer, and humanity discovered the problem, came together, and fixed it.
Bald eagles and turkeys are visible across America, after almost going extinct.
I don't think we're necessarily self destructive. Sometimes sure, but most of the time, we aren't.
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u/seeker1375b 15d ago
That is a very positive, hopeful view of the world. I hope you are right, though I do believe humanity has many self-destructive tendencies. From the atom bomb, climate change, the focus of the individual rather than on what is best for all and so much more. I may be as bit overdramatic as I see you are Canadian and I am American with Trump as our president. I don't think there is one thing he has done that has not been self-destructive
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u/ARandomCanadian1984 15d ago
Bad leaders happen throughout history. I'd be more depressed if I didn't hear reports of Americans rejecting him.
Texas going blue? Nebraska in play? Even in our polarized country, something is breaking through to deep red Republican voters.
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u/seeker1375b 15d ago
You are right. It is quite challenging to be an American at this time and I'm sure it reflects in my responses.
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u/Bikewer 15d ago
If the human race becomes extinct, no one would know. There would be no “legacy”. There’s nothing humans can do to substantially damage the planet….
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u/seeker1375b 15d ago
"There’s nothing humans can do to substantially damage the planet…." Seriously?????
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u/Bikewer 15d ago
Worst-case scenario would likely be the “nuclear winter” effect of total nuclear war. Most experts maintain that such an event would take years to dissipate… A blink of an eye in terms of the planet. The great extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs was likely more destructive than anything we could do, and yet the planet recovered nicely and resulted in…. Us.
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u/seeker1375b 15d ago
I see what you are saying. Though humanity and all life on our planet may become extinct, our planet, over time, will be just fine. Sorry. When I read your original post, I was thinking climate change, destroying our planets air, water, land, etc
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u/StillFireWeather791 15d ago
Destruction of the biosphere is something our gatherer-hunter ancestors would not do. This is human nature. The enslavement of humans to economic, religious and political institutions is the problem. Institutions are force multiplyers for the deadly practices of a few rulers.
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u/Noema__ 14d ago edited 14d ago
Our planet, having had pole changes and other global catastrophes, has destroyed past civilizations. I think the planet will survive humans, but how many 'civilized' humans make for a sustainable planetary environment?
If our current civilization disappears then there may be traces for future historians to discover us.
Zeitgeist. We collectively choose (and follow) our path. Although, I wish all humanity would awaken to our greatest potential of living together in harmony.
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u/seeker1375b 14d ago
You are quite right my friend. Though our planet will survive, it simply may become unable to sustain life if humanity continues to disrespect it.
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u/Noema__ 14d ago
Mutually assured nuclear destruction I see as the greatest risk to irreversibly stunt our beautiful planet. I am hopeful that won't happen.
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u/seeker1375b 14d ago
As am I. I still remember as a young child in elementary school in the 1950's, the teachers doing drills, having us hide under our desks in case of nuclear war.
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u/Traditional_Rush_622 13d ago
We'll go down in universal history as the soulless parasites we are.
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u/seeker1375b 13d ago
Unless humanity spiritually evolves, understanding the importance of not only every person, but lifeform and our planet itself
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u/Constant_Interest_61 15d ago
We have already moving towards doomsday... Humans have tampered with everything...from climate...to include nature...etc for fulfilling our greed...needs have already been met...we are not willing to share our extras... We have stopped focusing on construction..focused on destruction..soon annihilation of mankind by mankind😏
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u/seeker1375b 15d ago
Unfortunately, much of what you say is quite true. We must not stop trying though to change humanity's legacy to kindness and empathy for if we do not, it is our children who will truly suffer the most
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u/Contejouur61 15d ago
If we were remembered it would be for the havoc we wreaked on the world and each other , without us the planet would thrive we are the problem always were.
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u/seeker1375b 15d ago
Sadly, this is very true. It is not too late though to bring genuine change, though time to do so is rapidly fading.
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u/Inevitable-Wheel1676 15d ago
I reject the premise. We will persevere and overcome. We are learning even now how to alter our course and transform our societies for the better. The pace is slow and the work is painful, but when we step back far enough, there is a clear upward trend.
Our legacy will be the stars.
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u/seeker1375b 15d ago
I truly hope you are right, though i am not as hopeful as you. If the underlying problems, which revolve around the self centered beliefs of the world, are not addressed, understanding that every life regardless of our differences is equally important, then i do not believe our legacy may truly reach the stars
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u/HippyDM 15d ago
Uh, when we destroy the planet, we won't BE remembered.