It’s about us

Ben Contreras

EVOLUTION and Charles Darwin comes to mind. Evolution, as defined, is “the process of which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of earth.”

Evolution does not apply only to living organisms. It applies to practically everything, from any material forms to ideas, perceptions and even beliefs.

During our teens, basketball means Edwardson, Converse and other brands of basketball shoes. After a few decades, basketball shoes evolved to better designs and qualities in new different brands. The old design became passé, sold dirt cheap until revived, and these evolved–same form but with design modifications. Today, they are sold at higher prices, almost the same as the new brands.

Evolution does not necessarily go from good to bad or worse. It can be from bad to good. What is bad and good is also dependent on what our customs and mores dictate. What was acceptable before may not be acceptable today, and who knows, it might again be acceptable in another time in the future.

A man’s principle may also evolve especially so when one has to sacrifice it for someone important and loved. Or, at one time, we adhered to something we thought was right but because we are confronted with someone we don’t like, we talk differently and become inconsistent.

To err is human. We can all agree on that. But man can be hard-headed or stubborn or consumed by pride. We hold on to our ego and are held hostaged by it. Then we stagnate and refuse to explore better things to do. In times of crisis, we resort to doleouts.

We all have pride to protect but we don’t have the monopoly of brilliance so that when other people seem to have truth on their side, we need to follow. But we do not demand obedience. It is always our choice to be right or wrong.

A car evolved from simple engine to faster, fuel-efficient and classy designs. We cannot tinker with any single part no matter how small if we don’t have the mechanical or technological knowledge to do it. But every single part needs to be protected and maintained because even a small defective part can render the whole car ineffective and become useless.

A single cell in our body needs to be healthy. A malady somewhere will make us sick and die. A simple cut may look trivial but it can cause health problems and result in death.

Civilizations occupy a small portion of the earth. But if we don’t protect our surroundings, it can wipe out humanity. Plants have life, too. One scientist experimented with putting a sound system playing nice music so that the plants will grow healthy. They did.

Some things do not look what they seem. They may look stupid but they are given special talents. Some talk like intelligent people and want to look smart but are in fact, empty.

Who are we to judge who is smart and who is dumb? Evolution will offer the answer because evolution like time continues.

Today, I am flesh. One day I will be dust. We may think differently, we may hold different opinions, we may argue today, but in the end it will be evolution that will pass judgment on truth. But even truth is not exempted from this process.

An island in the middle of nowhere has life forms in it. If you destroy their habitat, they will eventually move out or die. Environment is not just about Earth, it is also about us, where we live and where we try to survive. You think we are too small in a vast tract of land and water? Wait till we’re face to face with floodwater and mudslides.