We think therefore we are.

(c) Simon Cook 2016

I am a human, or was the last time I looked. My body is designed by DNA; my thoughts are influenced by peers and mentors, by TV and social media – but they are my thoughts. I try to be open and honest in everything I do, and where I fail in this I try and learn.

I am human.

We are all human. Every one of us has the same DNA, every one of us can think for ourselves, every one of us can make choices that impact our lives and every ones lives. While our circumstances will differ, and our choices may be impacted by our circumstances we are all imbued with the same freedoms of free thought – no one can change our beliefs, thoughts and underlying values unless we let them.

As a child you are influenced by parents and peers, and these influences do often form part of who we become as adults – but no one can stop you from changing your personal paradigm – no one can stop you from deciding what is right and wrong for yourself. No one.

We are all human.

We all own this planet. Every one of us who lives on this planet owns it; every one of us is responsible for it. Every one of us has a duty to ensure that our planet survives and prospers, and that all animals and plants that inhabit the planet also prosper and survive. As the supposed superior race we have a duty and a responsibility to ensure that everything we do does not endanger any other species however insignificant that species is.

But before we start doing this we have to understand that with this responsibility comes a duty to put our own house in order, for it is that house that is destroying our world. That house is full of corruption, war, famine, depression, disease, hunger, hatred, anger, pain. While the house continues to crumble nothing will change.

We all own this planet.

If we can truly understand what it means to be human, recognize and support diversity in all its forms, find a way to live together despite our difference and truly forge ahead and remove many of the problems that persist in modern society, then our race has a chance to avoid destroying itself.

We are all human – it’s time we took the responsibility of what that means seriously. 

(Note: this article was previously published on Niume by me as has subsequently been unpublished)