The More I Read, the Less I Know

This entry was inspired by this write-up: 8 billion people: How different the world would look if Neanderthals had prevailed.

We originated from homo-sapiens, a human species that were adventurous, curious and travelled the world. Neanderthals inter-marry, and are least likely to venture outside where they lived. In contrast, homo-sapiens were born to explore, meet others and try new things; the direct opposite of Neanderthals.

Hence (my deduction), this urge to wander, explore, and venture to new lands is in-built.

The article had said, if Neanderthals had prevailed the world would not have been as populous as now. [I also read in another article that a Neanderthal's brain is smaller compared to a homo-sapien's].

My second deduction connects to the population size. It would have been great if we had been more responsible to Mother Earth as we procreate and populate the world. I like the principles adopted by Orang Asal of Malaysia. They have assigned sections of their land, for building a home, for farming, for plant-gathering, for fishing, for burial, for hunting and especially for preservation (their "Green Belt", so to speak). Every generation respects these spaces and every individual takes what they need from the land. Not more. There is no wastage.

Personally the sad thing about commercialisation and capitalism is this: we buy and we waste, and in the process we became cruel to Mother Nature. The key is to get what you need, not more. Respect others' property (we have our laws to enforce this). We just haven't figured out how to be less greedy. 8 billion people with double or triple the size of waste (compared to our body weight), is a scary prospect.