Yesterday, we talked about chilling out and stop thinking so much. Today is a new day.
If I were to conduct a research study I would like to study the effects of how being raised in a completely free environment affects society. It would be a long-term study I'd never be able to fully witness, but what if we raised a group of 20-50 people in an enclosed area with the mindset that there is no right or wrong? What if we raised them to be completely free?
Aside from providing them resources and teaching them basic survival skills during childhood (if they wanted to learn them. Some might want to learn on their own and branch off from the group), once they reached adulthood they would be set free to do as they pleased. I wonder how it would play out when observed for generations. No concept money or time, no expectation of performance, just survival.
After generations what would happen? What would become of their values? Would they decide to create rules? Why? Or would there be peace because there is no such thing as "right" or "wrong" behavior? From our point-of-view, things like murder, assault, theft, etc. would be considered "wrong", but in a society that is taught that anything goes, what would they think? Similar to how certain cultures accept and embrace death, what would they think of things most Westernized cultures consider to be "taboo"?
In other words, if people are raised to accept things unconditionally, how would their mindset differ from the "modern man"? Would they still have the basic desires and motivations as we do (greed, pride, lust, etc.) or would they become completely different? I think it'd be interesting to see. I'd essentially test to see if "starting over" would still lead to the same/similar results to what we have now. It would be a study on human nature and instinct.
Are we doomed to repeat our mistakes or are second chances actually meaningful?
I think such a study would be far too complex to set up and would require more funding than anyone would be willing to provide. There's also no doubt in my mind that it wouldn't be passed due to various ethical concerns, but I think that's exactly why it needs to happen.
Our idea of what's "ethical" to begin with is based on altruistic values based on culture. I believe we're too caught up on the "rights" that we've created based on our own values and beliefs. Despite being so "civilized" and living in more comfort than ever before there's so much misery and negativity. I think modern society has become much too disillusioned and a study like this, which questions everything about our society, is something I feel would be a nice wake-up call.
But then again, maybe something like this has already happened and I just don't know about it? Maybe the result of such a study being conducted in the past is how we got to where we are today with all of the deceit and manipulation going on with those in power. Or maybe I'm just a crazy man?
Peace
"What would people think about if people weren't taught what to think about?" - Arthur MorganPeople fill us with their opinions left and right. Mainstream media, in particular, does a good job in regulating what most people are exposed to and has done so for centuries. Everything from our values to what we consider normal has been socialized into us since birth. No matter what it is, a movie, a song, a fashion style, characters in a book, the people we associate with, etc., our thought-process has been influenced by something. We're conditioned creatures of habit. In some regard those deemed paranoid might not be so crazy when they say we're all robots programmed to serve whatever purpose that has been instilled into us.
If I were to conduct a research study I would like to study the effects of how being raised in a completely free environment affects society. It would be a long-term study I'd never be able to fully witness, but what if we raised a group of 20-50 people in an enclosed area with the mindset that there is no right or wrong? What if we raised them to be completely free?
Aside from providing them resources and teaching them basic survival skills during childhood (if they wanted to learn them. Some might want to learn on their own and branch off from the group), once they reached adulthood they would be set free to do as they pleased. I wonder how it would play out when observed for generations. No concept money or time, no expectation of performance, just survival.
After generations what would happen? What would become of their values? Would they decide to create rules? Why? Or would there be peace because there is no such thing as "right" or "wrong" behavior? From our point-of-view, things like murder, assault, theft, etc. would be considered "wrong", but in a society that is taught that anything goes, what would they think? Similar to how certain cultures accept and embrace death, what would they think of things most Westernized cultures consider to be "taboo"?
In other words, if people are raised to accept things unconditionally, how would their mindset differ from the "modern man"? Would they still have the basic desires and motivations as we do (greed, pride, lust, etc.) or would they become completely different? I think it'd be interesting to see. I'd essentially test to see if "starting over" would still lead to the same/similar results to what we have now. It would be a study on human nature and instinct.
Are we doomed to repeat our mistakes or are second chances actually meaningful?
I think such a study would be far too complex to set up and would require more funding than anyone would be willing to provide. There's also no doubt in my mind that it wouldn't be passed due to various ethical concerns, but I think that's exactly why it needs to happen.
Our idea of what's "ethical" to begin with is based on altruistic values based on culture. I believe we're too caught up on the "rights" that we've created based on our own values and beliefs. Despite being so "civilized" and living in more comfort than ever before there's so much misery and negativity. I think modern society has become much too disillusioned and a study like this, which questions everything about our society, is something I feel would be a nice wake-up call.
But then again, maybe something like this has already happened and I just don't know about it? Maybe the result of such a study being conducted in the past is how we got to where we are today with all of the deceit and manipulation going on with those in power. Or maybe I'm just a crazy man?
I have no idea...Perhaps it's best not to think about it.
Peace
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| Do we see only what we've been programmed to see? |
Today's assignment: Think about how society has conditioned your thoughts and what you think about. Then don't think, just do.
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