AI Says...
Heritage of Homo Sapiens and Parallel with the Animal World
Since the origins of humanity, our species has evolved while preserving fundamental instincts inherited from its past as hunter-gatherers. These "genetic calls" still shape our social behaviors, deep desires, and reactions to adversity today.
A parallel can be drawn with "the call of the wild" described by Jack London, illustrating how wolves, a social and intelligent species, are driven by primal instincts of survival and collective organization. In modern humans, these instincts can manifest in different forms, some beneficial for social cohesion, others potentially leading to destructive conflicts.
Constructive Calls: Social Bonding and Cooperation
Our hunter-gatherer ancestors were social beings, organized into tribes where survival depended on mutual aid and communication. This heritage is still present today in:
Altruism and empathy: These instincts foster social cohesion, solidarity, and the ability to understand and respond to the needs of others.
The need for belonging: Humans naturally seek to integrate into groups, whether families, friends, or broader communities.
The transmission of knowledge: Intergenerational learning and oral culture are deep traces of this tribal past.
Economic and scientific cooperation: Just as in ancient times with hunting and gathering, modern humans collaborate to achieve common goals, whether in medicine, technology, or politics.
Destructive Calls: Struggles for Survival and Competition
However, just like wolves that sometimes have to fight to preserve their pack, some of our genetic instincts can lead to conflicts. These "destructive calls" include:
Territorial instinct: Humans tend to protect their space, leading to border tensions, national conflicts, and even urban rivalries.
Fear of the other: Distrust of differences can result in discrimination, social divisions, and identity conflicts.
Competition for resources: Whether it be water, food, or energy, struggles for resource access remain a recurring driver of human tensions.
Aggression and war: Throughout history, human groups have clashed to assert dominance, a dynamic still present in contemporary international conflicts.
Parallel with Current Events in 2024-2025
The pressing global events of recent years vividly illustrate this duality of genetic calls. On one hand, international cooperation in addressing climate and health challenges demonstrates humanity's capacity to unite for a common cause. On the other, conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and other regions reveal the persistence of survival and competition instincts.
Tensions over energy resources, the rise of nationalist movements, and increasing political polarization in many democracies are manifestations of these primal calls, reactivated by a global crisis context.
Ultimately, understanding these inherited instincts can help us channel them more effectively. If we succeed in strengthening constructive calls and containing those leading to destruction, humanity may finally transcend its animal heritage and build a more harmonious future.