The Collective Brain

I generally believe the collective human brain is smart enough to solve the problems of humankind, but perhaps we as a species aren’t mature enough yet.

We still oppress the minds of our brothers and sisters. We still fight to dominate each other. We still trick and lie to each other. We still hate and deny the humanity of our own kind. Our common mind is still in conflict with itself.

Join me as I ponder the possibilities of the united human mind in a fully functional state.

Perhaps when the species matures we’ll focus our mental power on spreading as much prosperity, as we do harm now. We’ll discard the selfish quest for personal wealth at any expense, then pursue and obtain true liberty. We’d be free from capitalist rule and have access to the materials we need to survive. If and when the human brain finally gets it together, we’ll be free to focus on matters of our heart. Perhaps our fear of death would diminish as we would be secure in knowing that our limited time was well spent. We’d be mature enough to let go. We’d strive to help each other. Instead of worshiping tyrants and coins; our new religion would be based in the realities of human potential, the limitations of our form, and our responsibility to the earth.

It’s said that charity begins at home, and once we get our house in order we can effectively clean up our mess outside. Even with a mature focused mind, humankind is nothing without its life giver, and we owe her a great debt as well as a sincere apology. I believe once we gain full consciousness we’ll cease being cancerous to the Earth and find our niche. We’ll realize that we aren’t the masters of the land, but instead tenants who share it with many others.

I can’t predict the destiny of the human species, but I do believe that once its mind is ready, great things are inevitable. Perhaps tribe by tribe, clan by clan, and one nation at a time, the neurons of our collective brain will start to function cooperatively.

Of course this is all speculation, but I find thoughts like these worthwhile, and I hope you do too.

Not as Dumb as it Looks

As I’ve expressed before; it’s fashionable for one to claim a revolutionary ideology, but when it’s time to get down to business many of these people are nowhere to be found. There are many reasons for this. Some of these people are complicit in the system of oppression, others are lazy, many never planned on putting their words into action, and some are simply too embarrassed to make a move. This stifling embarrassment will be my focus here.

               We African Americans buy most of our goods from white owned businesses, and most of us work for white owned companies. Many of us make fun of each other for not buying the right clothes and other goods from a particular white owned brand. We break our backs working for people who don’t respect us, and would never consider doing anything for our communities. Then many of us take the money we’ve earned and proudly spend it on trinkets presented to us by oppressive companies. [I say “oppressive companies” because these particular organizations oppress the working class in one way or another *.] Many of us fund our own oppression with a smile. This is how it is, yet people think they’ll look stupid, or crazy if they were to change their actions **. On the flip side, the people who market over priced and largely useless items to Blacks probably don’t think we’re too intelligent for going along with things as they are, but they aren’t going to complain about it. And why would they, it’s our problem.

               Seeing that the infrastructure of this nation is owned by rich white capitalists, we’ll have to patronize exploitative businesses in order to obtain certain necessities… for now. But if people push passed this misplaced fear of looking dumb we’d be one step closer to achieving our goals ***.

Walking the walk is essential to any real progressive movement, but doing more than just lip service to the cause might not look very stylish to your friends. Many people live by the latest styles, which these days are normally packaged and sold to us by large companies. Needless to say these styles rarely emphasize consciousness. As for these companies; their only concerned with prying every last cent from the hands of their customers. We (Black People) are told that our natural features are ugly; so many Blacks are compelled to change their appearances with cosmetics. The poor are tricked into thinking they have a chance at being rich, so many support capitalism. Those who oppose things like these are shamed into silence. The subsequent embarrassment works right into the hands of our oppressors, making us less likely to speak up for our own best interests.

I’m aware that I don’t, nor do I claim to have all the answers, and like many people I too am stifled by embarrassment at times. It’s not easy to face people when they think you’re a crackpot. Knowing that any mistakes you make, or missteps you take will be amplified because of your nonconformist stance can make anyone shy. Relating to the masses may be harder when following your heart, but in my opinion, doing so makes it possible for me to face myself at the end of the day.

               There are many legit roadblocks that can keep one from making a difference but embarrassment shouldn’t be one. Many people can’t afford to change their buying habits. Some people have families to feed and jobs that restrict their freedom. These problems and others like them require real planning and maybe even community support to solve. But seriously, if you want to make a change, you have to be strong and rise above your embarrassment, because if you don’t you risk looking stupid… and that’ll be the least of your worries.

Clarifications:

* Large companies are known to offer financial contributions to politicians in exchange for favors. Often these favors come at the expense of the poor and working class. Many large companies also use sweatshop labor in third world countries to produce products cheaply.

** Find alternatives to spending money outside of the community. Boycott companies that fund racist politicians, or exploit the proletariat to produce goods. Combine recourses with community members; organize systems of assistance for people in need, and so on.

*** Gaining access to the materials we need to survive, Freedom from financial oppression, and so on.