Human Nature, Part 3

There's an old joke about the peasant who digs up a genie. The genie offers him anything he wants, but warns that the peasant's neighbor will get twice as much of whatever-it-is. The peasant thinks for a few seconds, then says, "OK, kill half my cows."

What should the peasant say instead? Possible answers include:
"Give me a beautiful lake, full of valuable fish, on half my property."
"Give me one perfect wife."

We need a better approach to life than that, but a lot of people are still stuck in the idea that whatever benefits someone else must hurt them. If their neighbor's condition improves, they are worse off. This sounds primitive and outdated, but "keeping up with the Joneses" is essentially the same mindset.

Let's assume that the peasant stays greedy. And let's even suppose that the peasant's neighbor is actually a nasty person that he doesn't want to help. What should the peasant ask for that will improve the situation, from his point of view? Here's a suggestion, keeping in mind that the neighbor will get a double dose: "Give me goodwill, honesty, and a bit of altruism toward my neighbor." Presto, relations improve--and the peasant will get the better end of the deal.

How many people would be willing to let a bad situation improve on those terms?

How many nations would work toward a goal like that?

How many readers will quickly decide this is fuzzy-minded idealism with no realistic or practical application?

Chris Phoenix

Comments

[George J. Killoran]

This is not "fuzzy-minded idealism." It has realistic and practical applications. Nanotechnology is rapidly bringing us to a crossroad. If used peacefully, we get utopia. If used recklessly and selfishly, we get world destruction. Hopefully, concerned and dedicated people like you will have an impact and world leaders will wise up and choose peaceful applications in the development of nanotechnology.

[Michael Deering]

I'll be the neighbor of the guy who asks for one perfect wife.