One more nail in the coffin, turns out we aren’t that special after all (who would have guessed?)

The coffin is religion by the way (saying that humans are in some inherent way special, chosen by god, made in his image…yada yada).

A new paper suggests that “free will”( i.e. the ability to make choices not simply follow deterministic behaviour patterns) is found in many animals. This ability to behave differently under identical situations is a key underpinning of humanity, as the paper points out our justice system is based on taking freedom of choice away.

This research is fascinating, and I think really should open the eyes of those who think that we are truly different from the organisms around us. Perhaps treat them with a little more respect? But certainly start to break down the lofty walls we have built around ourselves in a vain effort to pretend that we aren’t simply a  herd of primates milling around it some concrete jungle, trying not to follow through with all the base animal instincts we constantly feel.

It’s a thin veil.

The sooner we learn we aren’t special, and realise what we take from the environment around us, and how much we rely on it, the better. And the sooner we realise there probably isn’t an afterlife, and that this is all we really have the less suicide bombings, monks and general wastes of space we will have.

You have to admit their contribution to our society is meaningless when you realise the position we as humans occupy in the world.

Apologies, slightly more serious note today!