Pubdate: Tue, 23 Sep 2003 Source: Honolulu Advertiser (HI) Copyright: 2003 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. Contact: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/195 Author: James Miner Note: To read about the "ice epidemic" in Hawaii, go to http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Hawaii . WE HAD BETTER TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT OURSELVES When any species aggressively consumes the ecosystem it relies upon, the scarcity of resources created by unchecked consumption automatically curtails expansion of the species. Humans are not beyond this process. While we convince ourselves of intellectual superiority over the rest of creation, we use the intellect to promote the survival instinct, consuming resources necessary for survival into the future. Dwindling resources encourages a species to turn upon itself, competing for survival in a slow, rebalancing act of self-destruction. As we struggle to cooperatively and consciously manage our lives, survivalist tension accumulating in the subconscious collective mind manifests as predatory aggression, undermining cooperative activity. In individuals, this tension erupts as emotional dissonance. The kind of drugs becoming increasingly popular in American culture indicate a desire to anesthetize awareness from the constant and increasing tension emanating from the subconscious. This is an understandable reaction to a culture that promotes individual success over social well-being, profit over people, obscurity over honesty. If we are serious about addressing our drug problem, we had better take a good look at ourselves. The core of the problem goes much deeper than economic inequality or family instability. We must penetrate our hypocritical complacency, examining the corrupt values our culture entertains. We must become honest about our excessive predation as a species, and work cooperatively to assure a life worth living for all. Every individual must be willing to become aware of his own motivations before effectively influencing the motivations of others. James Miner Ha'iku, Maui - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk