Are we civilized yet?

Years ago, anthropologist Margaret Mead was asked by a student what she considered to be the first sign of civilization in a culture. The student expected Mead to talk about fishhooks or clay pots or grinding stones.

But no. Mead said that the first sign of civilization in an ancient culture was a femur (thighbone) that had been broken and then healed. Mead explained that in the animal kingdom, if you break your leg, you die. You cannot run from danger, get to the river for a drink or hunt for food. You are meat for prowling beasts. No animal survives a broken leg long enough for the bone to heal.

A broken femur that has healed is evidence that someone has taken time to stay with the one who fell, has bound up the wound, has carried the person to safety and has tended the person through recovery. Helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts, Mead said.”

We are at our best when we serve others. Be civilized.

• Ira Byock

My take. Humanity has a long way to go

So we have this kind of support at level in family. Maybe neighbor or friends. But soon we get tired And unable to render further services. This may happen occasionally. But usually our services to strangers are only if it does not involve major sacrifices on our part. To the point for a stranger, we could say sorry I can’t visit the hospital it is my wife’s birthday!

That absolute sacrifice would be a pinnacle. It may happen sporadically and very rarely at society level

Many individuals can find this sacrifice as stupid and incomprehensible. However to an alien race we could be thought of as primitive and stupid and not able to understand greater benefit to all humans

In the Era of Covid this is a crucial moment and display of such a sacrifices is heart warming.

On the other hand running out of tissue paper, cleaning substances shows ultimate greed and selfishness

Your call. Applaud or pity