Mistakes. We all make them. Every now and then we make a wrong decision, say or do something inappropriate, only to realize our stupidity in retrospect. This is often followed by the same old familiar feeling of, "I should have known", "I should have seen it coming" and the likes. But seldom do we wonder that more often than not, we do "know", we do "see it coming". We often falter not because we could not anticipate or predict our failure but because we choose to turn a blind eye to our prediction. To our correct prediction. For instance, more often than not we fare badly in our exams not because we did not know that the exams will be difficult but because we choose to remain "blissfully" ignorant of the truth (while remaining aware of it all the same), and try to convince ourselves that we can fare well despite putting in much effort. This points out a major trait which is almost exclusive to humans : our ability to lie to ourselves. To quote Robert Heinlein, "Man is not a rational animal, he is a rationalising animal." Rather than see the logic, we try to create our own logic. Unfortunately for mankind, logic is not something that can be "created", it can only be perceived.
We see this happening all around us, all the time. We do things despite being aware of their potentially destructive consequences. This, however, is not strange. What actually is strange is the fact that we do these things while ignoring the possibility of their destructive consequences. In other words, we choose to remain ignorant despite being aware. Our awareness, rather than suppressing our ignorance, fuels it. This is perhaps what sets us apart from other species - our ability to "create" logic, and in effect, our ability to self-destruct.
Don't believe me? Allow me to explain.
We, as a species, are well aware that global warming will sooner or later lead to our extinction. Yet we do not take the threat seriously. Tree felling is one of the major causes of global warming, therefore, rationally speaking, we should take all possible measures to restrict it to the greatest extent possible. Recent statistics, however, have a different story to tell. Tree felling has only increased in the recent years, despite the efforts to curb it. And with due honesty, these "efforts" to stop tree felling have been nothing but an eyewash. And we are doing all this despite being more than aware of the eventually fatal consequences of our actions. This brings the point home. We are a species that accepts not the truth, but what serves our purpose, even though it may be a lie. A self-destructive lie.
This example is just a drop in the vast ocean of lies in which mankind swims everyday, without realizing that one day it will inevitably drown in these very waters. Strange as it may sound, but true all the same. To quote Arthur Koestler, "If one looks with a cold eye at the mess man has made of history, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that he has been afflicted by some built-in mental disorder which drives him towards self-destruction." In my opinion, these words could not have been more true.
At this point, allow me to specify that i do not intend to say that we are all, as individuals, driven towards self-destruction. All that I wish to say is that we have a natural tendency to self-destruct. A lot of us are intelligent (and strong) enough to suppress these natural leanings of ours and make more productive use of our time. For others, it's just a countdown to extinction. Maybe one day we will realize the harm that we have caused to ourselves. Maybe one day we will realize that ignorance is not the most intelligent option. Maybe one day we really will realize the stupidity of our thought process, but of course, it will all be in retrospect.
