Theory of Devolution

Evolution to Devolution

Major religions explained the origins of man as being due to creation of God. The theory of evolution, however, suggested that homo sapiens are the descendents of more primitive species of primates, and that all current living organisms shared a common ancestor. 

Enough on the evolution and creationist theory though, because this entry is primarily on a controversial theory, devolution. According to the theory of devolution, man will reach a height of evolution – a ceilling if you may; and just like the current credit crunch, ka-boom, man will experience a sharp drop in terms of their intelligence and will start devolving. The end product of the process of devolution is the reversal of the whole process of evolution. Man will slowly devolve into primitive primates, and then to the more primitive reptiles before becoming a micro-organism.

During the process of devolution, man will start to manifest “uncivilised” behaviour – behaviour that one can only find in what man called “animals”. They start segregating people of other ethnic origins, thinking that those people are from a different species. Man cannot tolerate each other anymore: it is all about survival of the fittest. There will be war, alright, devastating war. Diplomacy is no longer the way, because man will forget how it feels like to talk. There will no longer be social norms and laws, because survival is the only way up.

Wait a minute. Aren’t we all living like these now? 

We are in an era of social devolution. The all embracing attitude that we have on Social Darwinism, survival of the fittest in the society through competition on limited resources is backfiring. Our morals and humanity that makes us humans have been long disregarded. The primary goal of our very existence has been to achieve supremacy: in any manner we could. Look at how our morals have eroded in pursuit of such supremacy. Slowly but surely, our social norms will be no different than those of animals. 

Devolution – is it inevitable?

Pain

“People are afraid of themselves, of their own reality; their feelings most of all. People talk about how great love is, but that’s bullshit. Love hurts. Feelings are disturbing. People are taught that pain is evil and dangerous. How can they deal with love if they’re afraid to feel? Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they’re wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio. You feel your strength in the experience of pain. It’s all in how you carry it. That’s what matters. Pain is a feeling. Your feelings are a part of you. Your own reality. If you feel ashamed of them, and hide them, you’re letting society destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your pain” Jim Morrison

How true it is – that pain is meant to wake us up from our slumber. I have been in pain, not over someone but over some things. Perhaps saying that I am in pain may be over-exaggerating. Maybe disappointment is more apt, but I do feel that pinch in my heart. I think the pain stems from the fact that very ideals I have believed in have been trampled on by people I respect. I have been torn between two worlds for quite some time, and this must stop.

It is something I will have to learn to live with – the pain of having to give up what I truly believe in, because to hang on to it will only cause more pain, as every second I spent in it erodes my principles even more. I once believed things will change, but the change did not came as expected. Perhaps I am just not that strong and brave enough to bring about that change,

It is time to be selfish. It is time to let go.

Herbet’s Passing Wind

I feel like laughing, no more like sniggering. Talk about a pot calling the snow black. Yes, you heard (or rather read) me right – a pot calling the snow black (as opposed to calling a kettle black). Just when I thought I will never find anyone more shallow than George W. Bush, there it is, right in front of me. Shall we name that person “Herbet”, in dedication of Bush Jr’s father, George H. Bush.

It has come to the extent where the words spoken by the Herbet becomes more than a passing wind. It stinks, but I will not affect me, except for that first few seconds. 

Herbet needs to understand that one needs to know what one is talking about before giving advice. Herbet also needs to know that one needs to take off their “coloured glasses” (direct translation from Cantonese) before one passes a judgement. Herbet should look in the mirror before opening one’s mouth.

Herbet can rest assured that I am surrounded by good people – people I truly respect, who can tell me exactly where I need to improve, without being condescending, patronizing and shallow; people who are objective, and provide constructive criticisms, not callous judgement.

Meanwhile, Herbet can continue in the “you are either with us or against us” (to quote Bush Jr.) mantra that you have been holding on so tightly all these while. You’re just passing wind.

One Small Step

What lies ahead?

I have been thinking about that a lot recently. What lies ahead for me? Other than the aura of uncertainty, what indeed lies ahead?

For the first time in many years, I am in fear; I fear for the inevitable changes. I have become too comfortable at where I am; comfortable to the extent that I may have become too complecent. The gung-ho spirit and never-say die attitude – they are still buried deep inside, in need of a wake-up call. I am not burnt out; just lack the motivation to take that step.   

I am in need of strength to move forward, and ironically, it helps to look back to move forward. I have just taken that one step I need, after holding myself back for so long. That is all it will take, one small step to move everything in that one direction: forward.

Burn Out

I have become increasingly disillusioned with whatever I am doing. I tried to seek for the strength that kept me going all these while, but all I found was emptiness. Everything does not seem alright, but perhaps the biggest problem of all is that I cannot put my finger on the exact problem.

I’m burnt out. I have not taken any real break since I could remember, but I cannot afford taking a break now. IHL Moot is just a month away, and I will have to improve myself tremendously to stand at least on par with participants from major universities in Asia. The ATC infamous “intensive revision” period is also less than a month away, and I am struggling  against time to complete my own revision before that. Although Rotaract term is unofficially over in view if the revision, but there are still some things that need to be settled.

I feel tired, of just about everything. I am tired of being nice, and I am tired of being helpful, because at the end of the day, I feel like I am being used without being appreciated.

I am just tired.