Earth, a shared home or narcissistic playground?

The problem with how we run the world is that we are fundamentally narcissistic. The dictionary defines narcissists as "people that have an unreasonably high sense of their own importance." This is how every political group, ruler, country, and state perceives themselves in the world. I know what is right, and anything that challenges me or my beliefs is considered wrong and a threat to my way of life. We treat the world like a stereotypical narcissist, using others to achieve our goals and discarding them when they are no longer useful or benefit us. That is narcissism through and through.

Now, instead of imagining using another person or gain or control, consider another ethnicity, culture, that is different. Is that culture wrong, are the ignorant, scary, a threat to you? Consider the same viewpoint when looking at a creature, a tree or bit of land. Is that creature food, a recourse to be used? Can't you see that fundamentally at its core, is the same thing, and that is how we treat the world? It is there to be used, and if it doesn't benefit or fit into our views it is wrong, and must be destroyed or neglected.

How countries exhibit narcissistic behaviour

We run our countries like narcissists because anyone different from us isn't considered useful. Anyone who doesn't adhere to our way of living or our economic system makes us angry because they no longer need us. And if they don't need use then we can't work together, and that threatens our way of life because you are showing us another way to live that we don't agree with. So, we invade or corrupt them into submission. If a country isn't capitalist, we may destabilize, invade, and cripple it so they are afraid or need our help. Even choose someone to run that country in our favour and the way we think things should be run. That is the definition of an abusive partner.

The ethical dilemma of our diets

Consider the animals we eat; we need to eat to sustain ourselves. A balanced diet for our health requires meat, vegetables, seeds, and fruit. However, look at how we think about animals – some are deemed more important, not all are considered equal. We don't perceive them as entities with emotions and feelings, despite everything of flesh and blood having a nervous system. We see them as items to own or resources to exploit and profit from. There well being is of no concern to use, just as long as we get what we want from them, be it companionship or food.

Humanity's self-centred approach to the planet

Now, think about how we see the planet. Do you even consider it day-to-day? Probably not. The earth beneath your feet is moving, growing, and changing. All forms of life require it to thrive and exist. Earth is full of elements and minerals, and everything on this earth needs them to function in a balanced ecosystem. However, humans see it as ours to control and use alone – we own a piece of land, and only we have the right to use it as we please. We don't share our portion; it's ours and no one else's. Can't you see that as selfish and narcissistic? We even kill people and destroy their ecosystems to obtain it, like a high school bully wanting someone else's belongings.

The impact of colonisation on social structures

The counter argument is that, yes, we are selfish creatures; it's in our DNA. But this is false. We are social creatures, and the only reason we survived was by working together in harmony, forming tribes and learning the ways of nature. When we think of modern culture, we think of the written word, agriculture, and civilizations that took control and unified. We often think of indigenous people as savages, but did you know that they were far more advanced in social structures, communication, medicines and balance with the ecosystem? Colonization destroyed that, as any good narcissist would. If you're different or I can't use you, or you don't need me, then I'll get angry. And the first colonizers did just that; they killed and took, like any good bully would.

Questioning the narrative of victors

You have to consider that saying, "The winners get to write the history books." But are the winners truly the good guys, or do we just tell ourselves that because we are the victors, one writing the history books?