I believe we are the dominating species in the planet for two main reason: a. We are the most intelligent and b. We are social creatures. Being social animals, and more specifically, social learners, gives us the ability to take huge amounts of information in very short periods of time, because we do not have to learn everything first hand. Most of us know that high altitude falls will likely injure us not because we've taken leaps from seconds story windows (although I'm sure some of you out there have) but because we've been taught this by others, whose opinion on this particular matter we trust. This type of learning begins very early in our childhood and we are very adapt at it. We take very subtle ques from others in our environment and our brains cement in the lesson via emotional response in the form of drama or trauma. You learn not to put dirt in your mouth, because when you tried it your friend gave you a look of disgust. You felt a sting of shame or embarrassing you put the dirt down, and learned not to do it again. We learn to trust others opinions of the world because it allows us to avoid mistakes already made by others, its brilliant, and extremely efficient, but its a double edge sword that serves us only up to a point. Because of our canning ability to learn from others, we are tribal in nature, and we learn to respect and fear the opinions of the tribe. If you look at it from this point of view it makes sense of our deep need to be accepted and liked, to conform to the status quo. Rewind not that long in human history, and you realize what it meant to be ostracized by your peers. Banishment meant almost certain death. In a jungle or desert full of predators, poisonous animals and plants, you're chances were not very good. Instances which put you in place of high social pressure, such as public speaking, approaching a potential partner, or any other high social value individual (think rock star or Football captain in High School) trigger the fight, flight or freeze response, because you FEEL like its a life and death situation, because not that long ago IT WAS! Offend the Alpha of the group and banishment might be preferably to a head bashing. Get rejected by the opposite sex and you might ruin the chances with all the other possible partners, step out of bounds of the comfort of the group, and you might not be very welcome anymore. "No one is a prophet in their own land" (parraphrased from John 4:44), my mother used to tell me those words a lot when I was a kid, I've ponder on these words considerably since then, and tribal mentality help me understand them better. Progress means change, and greats leaps of progress mean lots of change. Well, the thing is people are uncomfortable with social change, the group like to remain in stasis, because why change unless we have to? We are creatures of efficiency if nothing else, and we are programmed to preserve as much energy as possible. One must have either a very good argument, or lots of social value (preferably both) to be able to bring about change in the tribe, and my guess is, seldom did anyone ever get it in the first try, hence they tried again not "in their own land". Once you discover these concepts, you come to two conclusions: a. You've been, for all intent and purposes, domesticated through constant reinforcement, and b. Once you are aware of it, you can use it as a tool to help you direct your life in the direction you want it to go. You're no longer subjected to the cage your life had become, but instead becomes the means of your escape, you way into freedom. The how and they why, are already known to you. If you ponder on it, your subconscious will start to give you the answer, but until you know to ask the question, you're ignorant to your ignorance. ;)
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