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To:
letters@nytimes.com |
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Dear
Sir/Madam,
Reading
today's
editorial (The
Crocodilian
Past), I
was struck by
how we clearly
recognise certain
aspects of
reality, while
completely
overlooking
others.
"The problem
of familiarity
and
perspective" is
a barrier that
keeps not just
"some people
from grasping
the truth of
evolution",
but virtually
everyone from
recognising
the most
important
implications
of man's
animal
origins: the
fact that our
entire
socio-economic
order
developed from
and is thus
still deeply
rooted in our
animal nature.
Human
behaviour
developed over
millions of
years to serve
the survival
and advantage
of individuals
and family
groups in the
natural
environment.
With the
advent of
civilisation,
this same
behaviour
shifted its
focus to the
artificial
socio-economic
environment,
where we all
(scientists
and
journalists
included) have
our niches, on
which we
depend. It is
our dependency
on these
niches which
blinds us to
the
fundamental
non-sustainability
of our
socio-economic
order.
If we do not
recognise this
essential
aspect of
reality soon,
and take a
critical look
at the values,
attitudes and
aspirations
(rooted in our
animal nature)
which underlie
our economy
and way of
life, we too
will be off to
join
Dakosaurus
andiniensis
and the dinosaurs.
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