Are We Even Capable?

Last month’s edition we finished on the possibility that we are the first civilisation to have emerged victorious (i.e. still existing) from an evolution gauntlet (e.g. the Great Filter). 

Beating all odds and challenges from barren, rocky star systems, to seemingly benign single cell existence, to do-or-die multi-cell collaborations, to discovering the means to use and manipulate our environment and ultimately, to removing ourselves from the survival game of our current cohabitant animal species and looking out beyond our lonely blue planet.

It was here that we arrived at a choice – a choice to lead, and two questions: 

  1. How should we behave to lead a way forward? And, 
  2. How willing are we to do it?

But perhaps there is another question that should be explored first; 

How capable are we to behave, let alone lead, in an ‘advanced’ manner?

Let’s play a game of Champion vs Critic.

A champion of us humans may be willing to state that yes, we have indeed made great strides along an evolutionary path. Just look at where we have come in the last 4000 years.

In 2000 BCE there were only a handful of well established civilisations with written language, arts, developing mathematics, trade and governing functions.

‘Advanced’ civilisations from this period included the likes of Egyptian, Minoan and Sumer around the Mediterranean region, Norte Chico in modern day Peru, and early indications for the Gojoseon in Korea. 

At this time there were still large portions of hunter-gather, nomadic and simple farming cultures across the globe.

Since this time, we have seen great philosophers, scientists, explorers and innovators continue to stretch our understanding of ourselves and the environments in which we live.

Leaps in our technological prowess continued to spill across the world and we reaped benefits in farming, health, construction, trade, communications, transport, entertainment and alas, warcraft.

From a critics perspective though, these might be but tangible irrelevancies that shed little light on any fundamental behaviour change in our species.

The Akrotiri ruins on the island of Thera (Santorini) provide a unique window into some elements of human behaviour thousands of years ago.

Akrottiri was a well established settlement before being abandoned by its inhabitants prior to its demise from a major volcanic eruption. While the eruption wreaked havoc, it also helped preserve the remnants of a thriving culture.

Today the ruins depict an existence of people living in 2-3 storey houses, decorated with artwork, serviced with water and sewage systems, valuable assets, entertainment areas and assorted creature comforts.

A community of people, sleeping and eating well, working, playing, engaging, socialising, dreaming and creating. (Even a BBQ for skewers – Fire Dogs)

Also likely were instances of people accusing, denying, ignoring, ostracising, blaming, deceiving, fighting, manipulating and exploiting.

Remove our electonic devices, replace our plasterboard walls with stone and it might be hard to see any difference between us then, and us now. Dolphins and elephants wouldn’t notice a difference, and nor likely would ET or the Vogons.

Looking back through any of the centuries since, the triggers, justifications and motivations behind our behaviours with one another have not appeared to have ‘advanced’ at all. Common defaults include:

  • My belief is more right than yours. 
  • Your actions impact me, therefore you are an enemy. 
  • You look different so I’ll be wary and reactive.
  • I don’t understand you so you’re probably not intelligent.
  • I expect you to understand me because I understand me.
  • The people I surround myself with agree with me so I must be right.
  • And of course our ever present animal like impulses: I see it – I want it – I take it. 

From invasions, to terrorism, to road rage, to the gossip about a colleague and, the voyeuristic recording of school yard bullying. 

To this day, we humans demonstrate an unerring willingness to adversely impact the safety (both physical and psychological), health, culture, resources, land or indeed lives of other people in the names of righteousness, business, self-gratification or simply entertainment.

From a critics perspective, our report card is unlikely to warrant acceptance into an ‘advanced’ civilisations’ club.

As mentioned previously, we have seemingly struggled, or just not tried, for thousands of years to overcome, or rather outgrow, our prejudices, biases, assumptions, classifications and adverse behaviours.

While many of our behaviours can be explained and understood from biological and psychological contexts, some of them are nevertheless limited in their usefulness; particularly in the contexts of our existence today. 

Just because it occurs from natural processes, doesn’t mean its value adding.

But do we even have the capability to change our behaviour?

Unlike many of the animals on Earth, a select few have developed brain regions and neural networks that help process reality to a broader context – well beyond just the ends of individual noses or trunks.

Our Prefrontal Cortex (PFC; front region of our brains) helps perform some of our most advanced functions: reasoning, focusing, planning, coordinating, empathising and importantly inhibiting undesired (subjectively) behaviours.

The PFC has the capability to form neural circuits that help us to: not eat more cake, put on our trainers and exercise, create stories and, to tell lies.

It also enables us to look before we leap, to breathe before we react out of rage, to ‘feel’ what someone else is going through, to listen for what someone means (not just hear words), and to take the harder road for a greater good.

The PFC is a slow developer, not being completely ‘functional’ until our mid 20’s, and by then we have well embedded circuits throughout the entire brain full of beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviours that can fire away without us ever questioning them.

But new circuits can certainly be formed. 

Phineas Gage was an adult when he lost a large portion of his PFC from an accident he miraculously survived. In the early years following the accident his social behaviours suffered significantly making him a challenging person to be around. Several years later, it was reported his social behaviour had improved.

This was all thanks to our brain’s neuroplasticity. 

We can rewire our brains. Old, unhelpful beliefs, attitudes and thought processes can be downgraded as new information forms new connections and functions. 

As long as there is sufficient awareness, determination and reinforcement, new ways of thinking and behaving can be built and become new norms.

If there is one thing our tangible, technological advances have given us, that our ancestors missed out on, it’s our understanding of our brains and what we can do to get better outcomes.

Indeed, we do have the capability to change our behaviours. Equipped with the knowledge that the sciences are uncovering today, we are in the best position we have ever been to start making a difference.

We just need the right spark to ignite the desire to choose a harder road.

A road towards expanding our functioning and behaviours so that we add value for ourselves, others, and the environments we live in. 

To choose not to exist just as simple, predictable outputs from natural processes.

But rather choose to lead by example for ourselves, and any civilisations that could one day emerge from the gauntlet behind us. 

Let the search for sparks begin. 

Next month we’ll explore our original questions:

  1. How should we behave to lead a way forward? And, 
  2. How willing are we to do it?