Bilbo Introduction - Bilbo on Human Nature

Hi, I'm Bilbo. My purpose for this blog is to provide as objective an observation as possible of the world of man. Throughout my posts, I will delve into all manner of topics: economy, war, religion, science, politics, etc. and provide my perspective on what is right and what is wrong and how to improve on them in order to make a better world.

This journey begins with a look at the core of what drives basic human nature. When I speak of "basic" human nature, I speak of the 95% of human beings that go through life. Some are considered "good", some "evil", some "thoughtful", some "selfish". Whatever labels one wishes to place on these people, know that, at the core, the simple need to "be right" rules above all else - above health, love, pain, fear, money, sex, even self-preservation. This goes beyond being argumentative, or a know-it-all, it is a fundamental driving force for nearly all actions and behavior.

Note that I am not trying to assign a moral value to this core driving force. It simply is what it is - kinda like gravity. Sometimes it drives a person to "positive" action, sometimes "negative". But, lurking underneath all motives, it is there. Aside from more obvious examples, such as a know-it-all, or a stubborn jerk trying to push his/her own opinion through, some not-so-obvious examples abound as well.

Take, for instance, the self-hater. This personality type takes any opportunity to denigrate itself - "I'm fat", "I'm stupid", "I'm lazy". Each self-attack supports the person's core belief that he/she is worthless. The more the person speaks and thinks this way, the more they are inevitably proven "right," by constantly screwing up at life, at home, or life in general. This only exacerbates the self-loathing. But all the while, the person, deep down, believes they are "right", and that gives back a certain level of pay-off.

On the opposite, socially "positive" side, we have the selfless personas. They help anyone and anytime they can, donate extensively to charities, take care of lepers, etc. Mother Teresa was a good example. Still, the core motivation was being "right". Right about their own "goodness" (or other's pitifulness). Right about their God, country, Corps, whatever...

So, by my observations the concept of "good" and "evil" is quite relative and blurred, as the motivation behind both is the same ingredient!

As I examine different facets of human constructs, I will often refer to this core driving force of human nature.