Our Origin Story

[fourtyfrets]

Adam, thanks for this video. It is heartening to see I am not the only one who cares about this stuff.

[cpmkw]

Content is sound and interesting, but JESUS what an unbearably pretentious, droning little shit you present yourself as! It's off-putting.

You should realize that 3/4 of your popularity is due to your cute looks. Deflating, no? If you're content to sell yourself that way, then good for you... But you should be aware that people will not be as likely to bother actually listen to you.

I offer this critique in the spirit of constructive feedback.

[AdamHintz]

Thanks for the critique.

[gabi83tm]

I'd really take this as a compliment ;)

[gabi83tm]

At 3:39 you say that "9 billion of the years, there was no life in the Universe."

You can't know that for sure about the Universe. I mean... it's pretty big, you know.

[AdamHintz]

I agree. I should have clearified that. I have no idea when or if life began on other planets.

[Ap0colyps6]

i dont think you should associate yourself with something as controvercial as the big bang

[AdamHintz]

Interesting. Why?

[Ap0colyps6]

1. it was kind of a joke

2. does it matter how we are made?

[ReductioAdAbsurdum]

We're not destroying "the planet"; we couldn't if we wanted to. We may be destroying our ecosystem, killing a lot of other species, but it's a drop in the bucket; over 99% of all species that have ever lived are extinct. You're inherently anthropocentric when you refer to us as the end point of evolution, rather than just another blip in the history of life, here today, gone tomorrow. Life will prevail with or without us. That's what life does.

[AdamHintz]

"The Planet" I'm refering to is a viable human habitat. I agree, life probably will continue. There are some species that can hybernate in frezzing temps for 100's of years, very resiliant, but my concern is for our decendents who I'd like to see have some quality of life.

[hippiending]

i don't think it's a "new origin story for our society" that we wanna be looking for. i mean, the "universality" of a story really takes from it's ability to serve the needs of unique communities, right? so i'd say every community should have it's own story! and, since you already have a community: there is your origin story! done :D

seriously, thanks a lot for making me think about this :)

i'll be so much more sensitive to the forming of my tribe's origin story from now on!

see ya!

[AdamHintz]

I like this idea. Diversity of explaining stories will reflex the diversity of communities.

[hithlum]

What if we were less harmful to other life forms and it was still anthropocentric because we understood that without those other lifeforms, we could not sustain ourselves?

[AdamHintz]

If we understood this would we still be anthropocentric?

[hithlum]

Well in my opinion, it really depends how you feel about it... I not going to lie, that's how I feel.

[AdamHintz]

Yeah, I think I see what you're saying. We don't have to tip all the way to the otherside to live in synergy. Right?

[hithlum]

Looking at the culture we were born in, it would be a giant leap. At least, that's how I feel personally. Maybe it would be easier for generations down the line who will live in a more respectful culture to go all the way, as it was with the many natives who came before us.

[ItsFilthy]

way to break it down Adam...we are not the finished product. It's not all about us...everything wasn't leading up to US. We need to remember our place. remember where we came from so we can re-examine where we're going. Respect!

[AdamHintz]

Thanks Filthy. :O) Most cultures have origin stories. It's very telling how an individual relates to the world with these stories in their head.

[ItsFilthy]

yes...when you really think about it, changing the origin story is ABSOLUTELY crucial in changing the story that is being enacted. the origin story is the tightest knot...once that is unraveled, the rest almost unties itself.

[ReductioAdAbsurdum]

"changing the origin story is ABSOLUTELY crucial in changing the story"

Our origin story is a matter of history, a matter of fact, not something we can revise. The only thing *we* can change is the origin story of future generations, of which we are a part. To do that, we need to face our own origins as opening and honestly as possible.

[AdamHintz]

I agree.

[AdamHintz]

Both Filthy and Reductio.

[ItsFilthy]

the origin story we are being fed is not true...it's just a story that reinforces this way of life....it's an origin myth. I totally agree that we need to face our own origins as open and honestly as possible, and that means seeing thru the myth that we have been told since we were born and see what our true origin story is...we need to revise the origin story that is in our heads to fit with reality...with the facts...with history.

[ReductioAdAbsurdum]

"the origin story we are being fed is not true...it's just a story that reinforces this way of life....it's an origin myth"

Well, hard to tell what your guy's point is. Does this video contain the "myth"? Is that what Adam is describing at 0:45? Because that's not a myth, it's simply fact. He supposedly "clarifies" this "myth" by simply adding to the tail of that story, not revising it.

[ReductioAdAbsurdum]

In other words: we need to grow past religion. They contain the truly destructive origin myths. They tell us that the Earth was created FOR us, to do with as we please; that we are not animals, part of the ecosystem, but something more exalted and important; that we're going to be saved by a magic space daddy, rather than by ourselves. The very bedrock of religion is anthropocentric conceit.

[ItsFilthy]

THAT is the myth...that the Earth was created for us, to do with as we please, etc, etc...

[ItsFilthy]

it's not just religion that tells us that though...that is the story that our culture has...we are the final product, either of creation or of evolution. It was all building up to mankind, and all leading up to this way of life...human beings siezing their place as the rulers of this planet...and so we must contiue down this path regardless of the consequences. If we don't change that story, we don't change the fucked up ending that is coming at the end of that story.

[ItsFilthy]

we have to remember that our story is tied in with the story of our planet, and the story of all other members of the community of life, and the story of all of the natural processes. Ours is just a part of a bigger story, no more or less important than the other parts.

[posesedclown]

i feel that we have been conditioned to think and believe a certain way, and this distorts our perceptions, i think in order to get things rolling we need to make people think and realize that what they have been taught is wrong. this is epically hard when everyone believes the same thing.

i think the best i can do is lead by example

[AdamHintz]

I agree, leading by example is a great way to teach. The simple act of communicating is also a great way to show people something new before the example is made.

[Chriskct]

Good point on we only being here for a small fraction of earth's existence. It puts things into perspective on what a tiny part we are in this planet's history, but at the same time, what a big part we can be for this planet's future.

[Deathicorn]

The earth doesn't revolve around us, we revolve around with it.

[AdamHintz]

I like how you wrote "with it" instead around it. It gives a symbiotic tone to it.

[RyRyVids]

I think the concept you're grasping for is the need for humans to form more "symbiotic" relationships with the planet and it's inhabitants, am I right?

In response, I think that getting rid of fatalistic notions and world views would be a great start. The guiding hand of human fate lies with humans, not a god.

[AdamHintz]

Yes, in total agreement. Symbiotic is what I was looking for. Thanks!

[desertblbuesman]

Met some Nice hippy folks back from the rainbow gathering. They have a free kitchen. Something I want to discuss with this person more. but basically the thing is, they get food however and distribute it free in cities an gatherings to whoever. That is the business. There is a whole network of industry left out of this picture, but there exists in the scheme, which is in practice right now, a very good basis. Money is not part of the motive. Eating is.

[AdamHintz]

I love the rainbow family. They are a great example of living in a different way. Have ever hear of "food not bombs"? I think you really like the org.

[desertblbuesman]

hopefully we are just going through a hard to adapt to phase of existence that is coping child like with this property of sentience that we have come to posses. I see signs of evolving intellectually alongside the resistance of the ignorance of the religious dogma and end of days myths as well as the possessiveness problem. Two fronts of resistance to intellectual evolution and the survival of our species. Not looking good, but still hopeful I am.

[AdamHintz]

When I see how well humanity existed for most of our history and understand that a single culture only 10,000 years old has brought us almost to destruction. I see it more like our culture has gotten a mass alzheimers condition. We were fully functioning creatures now we're the opposite.

[ReductioAdAbsurdum]

Define "well"? Humanity has fought hard for it's very existence, with high infant mortality and low life expectancy. We nearly went extinct 70K years ago, dropping to as few as 2000. Is that what you call "well"? We can now feed BILLIONS more human lives than hunter-gathering can support, we've more than doubled human lifespan, eradicated pandemic diseases, we're a few generations from human immortality and more. To continue to survive, we need to push forward, not return to the past.

[AdamHintz]

I would define "well" as not creating the 6th mass extinction. Knowing how to live without threatening future generations.

[ReductioAdAbsurdum]

"I would define 'well' as not creating the 6th mass extinction."

You previously defined 'well' as how "humanity existed for most of our history". Nothing has changed except that we've been extraordinarily successful; i.e. we've done VERY well. Most of today's problems are short-term, such as the burning of dead plants and animals for fuel, which will be an anachronism in 100 years. The biggest problem we face is our runaway success: population explosion.

[AdamHintz]

So then is "runaway success" really sucess? I agree about population being a central problem.

[patiodaddyo1]

It seems to me that within that subspecies which chose to initate warfare; there is an altered perception that believes mankind was the ultimate goal of evolution. We know full well the planet will heal itself eventually, with or without us...it would be interesting to know just how many trees alone have been slaughtered for the express purpose of printing money

[AdamHintz]

I agree, the warfare and perception go hand in hand, they're rationalizations of eachother. To me, the planet isn't my concern. Like you said, it has always taken care of itself. I wonder how do we live in a way that allows the earth to heal?

[REXMARX003]

For 250,000 people evolved then 10,000 years ago totalitarian agriculture started a de-evolutionary period that is now coming to an end. The end of this period is being pushed by many factors including the end of the oil era.

To survive, people will need to start new cultures that restart evolution and allow people to again live in harmony with the other evolving plants and animals.

[AdamHintz]

The birth of totalitarian agriculture was the beginning of an evolutionarily unstable system that we find ourselves in today. This is the event I pointed to in the video. I agree, we need to find a evolutionarily stable system if our communities will exist in the next century.

[REXMARX003]

To continue the conversation, I would state again that our culture is de-evolutionary. This is a basic example, but look at the movie Idiology (did I spell that right ?- I am an idiot! :-) ).

The movie shows the increasing numbers of "bad" gene pools and the shrinking of "good" gene pools. And here we are......

And no, I do not support social Darwinism.

I can say I really appreciate you bringing these topics out for discussion. I find it interesting and informative.

[AdamHintz]

I see what you're saying. Another "bad" gene would be the fact that we're raised to be dependent on a undependable infustructure. We're litterally putting all of our eggs in one civilizational basket. Not wise.

[donHooligan]

excellent comment, rex

[donHooligan]

i wish there was a way to show...how really well...tribal (harmonious) living...actually works...versus the violence that this way of life ignores.

[AdamHintz]

sounds like an interesting topic for some videos. :)

[SmallWorldFilms]

I like this idea too. There has to be more to our species than an innate need to dominate each other and commit violence. And we do need a sense that we're part of life on Earth, not the end point.

[Tidnull]

this way of life also ignores where our wastes go.. trash, human poop, gray water, food scraps.

[AdamHintz]

True. The things we see as gross and disgusting are actually things that could benifit our communies. We just need to show them the better model.

[AdamHintz]

There is definatly more to our species than we think. Outside of our system there are thousands of people who live equitably. If they can do it so can we.

[donHooligan]

right on.

you mean the world wasn't made for jellyfish?

we gotta stop trying to make ourselves the final product.

[AdamHintz]

Yes, exactly. The world wasn't made for any one animal, vegetable or mineral. We need to realize this fact or we will doom our communities. We need to learn how we can blend into our landbase, our watershed, our ecologies.