Lately I've been reading The Fate of Africa, by Martin Meredith. In the book he discusses the independence of African countries from colonial power and the subsequent troubles they have faced. It's no secret that Africa has had a lot of corrupt rulers. But this has got me thinking about control and power...
Westerners seem to think they can control much more than they really can. Less developed areas that are more dependent on agriculture, the weather, the seasons, are more susceptible to disease, etc. realize more their lack of ability to control things.
Control is largely an illusion. I can control what clothes I put on, but I can't control the weather, the possibility of getting into a car accident, or whether or not I'll die tomorrow. But I'm really curious about the why. Why do humans, particularly those from the developed world, lust after control as much as they do? My best guess is it our way of coping with a world where we truly have no control. It's scary to be out of control. We like having things to depend on.
Any one else have an idea?
Westerners seem to think they can control much more than they really can. Less developed areas that are more dependent on agriculture, the weather, the seasons, are more susceptible to disease, etc. realize more their lack of ability to control things.
Control is largely an illusion. I can control what clothes I put on, but I can't control the weather, the possibility of getting into a car accident, or whether or not I'll die tomorrow. But I'm really curious about the why. Why do humans, particularly those from the developed world, lust after control as much as they do? My best guess is it our way of coping with a world where we truly have no control. It's scary to be out of control. We like having things to depend on.
Any one else have an idea?
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