Who We Really Are... When Everything Goes Wrong
Like Stories of Old・18 minutes read
Mubi is an online cinema streaming exceptional films globally, exploring the question of human nature through stories of selfishness and altruism during disasters and crises, challenging assumptions and emphasizing the potential for collective meaning and altruism as a counter to toxic individualism. Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl emphasized the inherent resilience and altruism in humanity, with disasters revealing the best in people by fostering a sense of community and purpose, highlighting the importance of empathy, kindness, and care in working towards a better world.
Insights
- Stories often depict humans as selfish and hostile when societal structures collapse, but real-life examples like Hurricane Katrina show that ordinary people can display selflessness and bravery, challenging this assumption.
- Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl's observations during the Holocaust emphasize that even in extreme conditions, individuals can choose hope, bravery, and decency, highlighting the resilience and altruism inherent in humanity, which can serve as a powerful reminder of the potential for collective meaning and altruism.
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Recent questions
Are humans inherently selfish?
No
What is Thomas Hobbes' social contract theory?
Governance prevents tension and distrust
How do disasters impact society?
Expose flaws and reveal true nature
What did Viktor Frankl emphasize about human nature?
Driven by purpose and meaning
How can society foster a better world?
Through empathy, kindness, and care
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Summary
00:00
Exploring Human Nature in Crisis and Disaster
- Mubi is an online cinema streaming exceptional films globally, offering a free month at MUBI.com/likestoriesofold
- The question of human nature is explored in stories, often suggesting a belief that humans are fundamentally selfish and on their own.
- Post-apocalyptic tales reveal a world where individuals are selfish, aggressive, and suspicious without societal structures.
- Thomas Hobbes' social contract theory posits that humans need governance to prevent a state of continuous tension and distrust.
- Stories often depict humans as selfish and hostile when societal structures collapse.
- Author Rebecca Solnit challenges the belief in human selfishness during disasters, highlighting altruism, courage, and kindness.
- Ordinary people displayed selflessness and bravery during Hurricane Katrina, contradicting the assumption of human violence.
- Rutger Bregman argues that most people are inherently decent, showcasing altruism and kindness during crises.
- Disasters reveal the best in people, but rumors and elite panic can lead to harmful consequences and false assumptions.
- Disasters can lead to social change by exposing societal flaws and revealing the true nature of individuals, fostering a sense of community and purpose.
16:05
"Humanity's Resilience and Altruism"
- In times of uncertainty and trouble, people naturally turn to each other for help and support, revealing a deep longing for community and connection.
- Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl emphasized that humans are driven by a desire for purpose and meaning beyond themselves, often finding fulfillment in serving others or a greater cause.
- Frankl observed in the Holocaust that even in extreme conditions, individuals maintained inner freedom to choose hope, bravery, and decency, highlighting the resilience and altruism inherent in humanity.
- Stories of bravery and sacrifice resonate strongly as reminders of the potential for collective meaning and altruism, countering a culture of toxic individualism and self-centeredness.
- The challenge lies in bringing the solidarity and meaning found in times of disaster into everyday life, fostering a belief in the best of humanity and working towards a better world through empathy, kindness, and care.
