Instinct.

The Word that stands out Here the Most in My Mind is Instinct. Consider the Crow collecting Shiny objects for no apparent Reason. This is one step above Instinct in the Mind of that bird. It is a sort of rationality. The Parrot who can Talk is another example. It's far too easy to consider that sort of Behavior instinctual. It is some sort of Rationality at work. We are not the only intelligent Species on the Planet. Yet we rely completely on Rationality in the formation of our Technology. I think our Technology could use a bit of an Instinctual shove, like the Fonz on 'Happy Days' having a certain knack for the Pop Machine.Birds and squirrels do alright in comparison to the uneducated Cro-Magnon Man or Neanderthal. The birds just seem to know instinctually which Berries to Eat in order to Flourish. We as human beings haven't a clue without the Aid of Wisdom passed down through the Ages.

My opinion is that the Animal level is somewhat more successful as far as Fulfilling ordinary human needs. The Higher levels of awareness come only after these needs are met. Take starvation for example. If you have ever fasted for more than a couple of days, you will know what I mean. By the second day of fasting all one can think of is food and most of the feelings are extremely violent and hostile. Images of food come full force into view as the needs of the beast within Rise to the Surface.

I'm not a big fan of Retro Society. It might have worked for certain Hippie Communes, but they were probably as Zombied out as Yuppies in their Ignorance of the Big Picture as far as a World View. Very esoteric and Simple Minded, those Hippies may be at Peace with themselves and the rest of the World, but it is a hypnotic, trance like Peace. They are rendered basically Harmless Pacifists. The Yuppies are wearing blinders as Well. They see nothing but the Track ahead, much like a Race Horse. Eventually that Race Horse need Retire without ever really Understanding the meaning of the Race it was Running. The Problem cannot be Overstated.

It is a Generational gap of Basic Values, Ethics and Morals. You can't expect to take away a Dependence on things like the Internet without leaving behind a certain Vacuum. Only if we were Forced into a Retro society would the Human Spirit Perservere. Then the Next Generation would be brought up without a need for such things as modern convenience. That is where the Amish have been Successful. It is Ingrained in their consciousness; a certain Rejection of Technology because it is associated with all of the Bad things that happen in Society.

Pointing the finger at Technology however seems as stupid and brutish as calling the Wheel a Useless invention. Even the Amish require carts for their Loads. So the Success of a certain Generation needn't constantly be compared with other generations. This is somewhat Selfish in My opinion. I have alot of admiration for Ancient Civilization even though it's Rulers were among the most Vicious Men and Women in History. We don't need to Compare Ourselves with those People. They were doing things according to tradition and fashion in their own particular Era. If one could Consider them Parents then we may as well have respect for Our elders.

Humanity has always been caught in a Struggle between Basic Instinct and Rational Judgement and this could be Correlated to the Media. As the demands of Society become increasingly difficult to fill, the journalists' job becomes more and more like the role of a sentinel; maintaining control over what could more than likely become a Global Panic. I've noticed that in the News one can't assume the stories are complete truth. Some of it is so confusing, especially stories about Major Political Decisions. When someone is Killed or a Bomb goes off in a School, the Reporters usually present the Facts accurately, but Political overhead prevents alot of News from reaching the Public concerning the True decisions being made in Government. I sympathize with the Real Journalists, but have noticed alot of News that is simply too Murky and Watered down. Let's face it, when you mix water with dirt you are gonna get mud and people are going to want to sling it.

I am of the Belief that we have to have a nice Blend of Instinct and Rationality in order to Survive. When the Facts don't match the Observations one needs to revert to the Animal level. For example, after a Furious lovers quarrel the individual almost needs to Blind themselves to the Facts and Observations, then look to a higher power to manage the Situation. After a few days, wisdom will come back into play and the old hostility dissolves.

Actually, even after we are successful in our Enterprises paranoia eventually gains a Foothold. The most enlightening thing I can say is that when relying only upon Sensory Observation as the Empiricists like Hume do, one can reach a Point of Overbearing Awareness of the enormous Complexity of the Universe.
The Mysterious Inner Workings become too much for the Rational mind to Grasp and the Great Unknown comes back into play. This is why David Hume would retire to the Animal Level after his Philosophical meanderings. You would find him simply enjoying a Stroll or playing Billiards in order to distract the Rational mind from the Senses.

We were talking also about Technology and whether or not we really need it. I think My opinion is a Valid one. One must make their own Choice when deciding how much is enough. The technology will always be there and running away from it is Futile, but as consumers we are under no obligation to spend more money. The argument against this goes only in Circles. I know we have to keep up in order to survive, but we don't need to feel compelled by a Phobia that we will be left behind if we don't constantly update our own technologically oriented attitudes.

Interestingly enough, I don't feel particularly threatened by either Big Brother or Nuclear Holocaust. In the novel "The Time Machine" - H.G. Wells, the young scientist goes far, far into the future and discovers that once again even after repeated Destruction; Humanity is still it's own Worst Enemy.