Fooled

The Selfish Gene

Richard Dawkins

The Replicators

Like the lion, full of pride, humans believe they are the supreme specie on Earth. Although the warthog might have seemed small, weak and defenseless, it was witty and sneaky, just like the gene. 

“Even while the group is going slowly and inexorably downhill, selfish individuals prosper in the short term at the expense of altruists. The citizens of Britain may or may not be blessed with foresight, but evolution is blind to the future.”  (pg. 8)

Evolution is blind to the future. As machines of the gene, we cannot control the gene. In the other hand, the gene can control us and we will never know when, how or why. If we survive tomorrow it is due to the fact that evolution was in our favor. Nevertheless, when will be the day come when evolution will turn against us? Does the apocalypse and the extinction of the homo sapien sapien species rely on the gene? 

If selfish individuals only prosper in the expense of altruist, than its a cycle of taking advantage of others. However, if the gene is selfish, and only prospers by using others, and we are machines of the gene, than what are genes acquiring from our use? Other than using us as their host, what other benefit do we offer genetic codes? Do we offer them power? Nonetheless, we have no choice because we live by their design. Why have genes created a machine with a higher conscience? 

What is man? What is the meaning of life? Is it to overcome the genes empowerment over us? Considering our bodies are composed of them, why else would they build us a conscience? Does evolution reconcile on our level of awareness? 

The Bowler Hat

The Selfish Gene
Richard Dawkins


Immortal Coils


         "They are in you and in me; they created us, body and mind; and their preservation is the ultimate rationale for our existence. They have come a long way, those replicators. Now they go by the name of genes, and we are their survival machines." (pg.20)

          The human is selfish. Why is the human selfish? According to Dawkins, its because all animals are conformed of genes. Genetic codes, otherwise known as DNA, form our minds and bodies. These minuscular anatomies of proteins and nucleotides and bases, are what has brought the survival of man. Genetics and evolution created the world and all in it. We are genes, and genes are us, within Dawkins perspective. 

          
         The human race is known to be competitive, greedy, and vain. We manipulate others and find pleasure in gaining power. Can we blame all of these flaws on a complex chemical trait: the gene? Are we capable of using our animal instincts as an excuse for all of our mistakes? However, can genes take credit for all of our accomplishments? When humans built the first rocket or the Wall of China, was this due to the evolving gene within us? 

        


     Spiritual leaders such as Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King Jr, Dalai Lama, and so on, prove that humans, despite other animals, can fight against the selfish traits of the gene.  Dawkins does not believe in G-d, but that the gene is our creator and we are the hosts of it in our bodies. (Many agnostic relgions believe that we have G-d inside us-this is the same as the gene.) Does this mean we are utterly controlled by these cells? Do we create our view of the world? Are our actions, our actions? Or, are these simply illusions created by the gene?

       Humans who are agnostic and believe in free will, live in a more liberated mentality than those who are atheist and believe humans are nothing but a pool of genes. While agnostic people aim to evolve into a purer being during the coarse of their life, “gene believers” are doomed live by design. (Picture on the left is a Sims Game)

     


        This idea reminds me of the Walt Disney movie “Meet the Robinsons” and the bowler hat. Those who wore it would become hypnotized by it. The hat did not have good intentions, and had a mind of its own. Genes are like the bowler hat. Those who wear it (humans who believe they are created by genes) will never discover that the genes are defining the person they are becoming. These people will accomplish the hat’s desires (animal instincts= selfishness).  

     
      Genes are not what defines the human being. They might have a powerful influence on us and other animals, but they will never be our entire person. Genes cannot make one feel love. Genes may lead us to undergo attraction, but they will never produce sympathy or sadness. We can define genes as builders and managers of our body, but never of our hearts. 

Passive Voice

1. 
   
   1. Children cannot open these bottles easily.

   These bottles cannot be opened easily by children. 

   
   

   2. The government built a road right outside her front door.

   A road was buit outside her front door.

   
   

   3. Mr. Ross broke the antique vase as he walked through the store.

   The antique vase was broken by Mr. Ross, as he walked through the store. 

   
   

   4.When she arrived, the changes amazed her.

   She was amazed by the changes when she arrived.

   
   

    5.The construction workers are making street repairs all month long.

   Street repaires are being made all month long. 

   
   

   6. The party will celebrate his retirement.

   The retirement will be celebrated in the party. 

   
   

   7.His professors were discussing his oral exam right in front of him.

   His oral exam was being discussed right in front of him. 

   
   

   8.My son ate all the homemade cookies.

   All of the homemade cookies were eaten. 

   
   

   9. Corrosion had damaged the hull of the ship.

   
   

   The hull of the ship has been damaged by the corrosion. 

   
   

   10.Some children were visiting the old homestead while I was there

   The homestead was being visited by some children, while I was there.

   
   

   
   

   1. If expansion is not accomplished, then two less-efficient alternatives must be acted upon: either the book sales will have to be in separate quarters or else the whole enterprise will have to be moved to a new location. [Try "we."]

   
   

   If expansion is not accomplished, we must act upon two less-efficient alternatives: we will have to separate quarters for the book sales or else, relocate the whole enterprise. 

   
   

   1. Trees on average sites are expected to be about twenty inches in diameter when they are eighty years old if they are managed properly since youth. [Start "Managed properly."]

   
   

   Managed properly, tress on average sites should be about twenty inches in diameter when they are eighty years old. 

   
   

   
   

   
   

   1. Any amended declaration should be filed with the Internal Revenue Office with whom the original declaration was filed even if you move to another district.

When Our Garden is Nothing but Dry

          Although Voltaire truly wanted to transmit the message of optimism throughout his novel, my understanding was quite different. The significance of Candide's supper with miserable kings was that all misfortunes are equally grave. ''...Pangloss and Martin, 'seemed to me to have done much better for himself than those six kings we had the honor of supping with." (Pg. 143) There are no worse diseases, worse deaths, worse wars or worse lives. All tragedies deserve the same amount of dwelling. It's all a matter of perspective.

 One may decide to look at Tsar Ivan's situation positively or negatively. The morality of Candide is: forgive, forget and more on. Its just a matter of how one can look at the situation, which in the case of Voltaire is: "cultivate your garden." (Pg.144) Or in other words: "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade." Candide could not have ended more wrongly, however each individual was able to compromise with their failure in their own way. Perspective is the lit door to survival. Count Pococurante portrayed how a person who does not posses perspective only see what's good, only bad. Lack of perspective is like having dark sunglasses on, which enables one to see only darkness where their is light. "You must admit that there is the happiest man alive, because he is superior to all he possesses.'" (Pg. 123)

    Voltaire intends to demonstrate that not is only optimism Nothing could have ended more wrong. The Baron and Pangloss return to the picture, Candide is no longer wealthy and Lady Cunegonde has turned as "ugly as a witch." (Pg.138) Their life revolves around the cultivation of a garden. Although all went wrong, they settled, they compromised.


"'When man was placed in the Garden of Eden, he was put there "to dress it and to keep it", to work, in fact; which proves that man was not born to an easy life.'" (Pg, 143)  

   The utopia that God created for humans (The Garden of Eden) was perfect because of its imperfection. 

I'm a Powerless Commoner

           Since the second we opened our eyes, we were all destined to live under somebody's command. Weither it was to follow our parents rules or our countries laws; people are always obligated to walk behind a supreme ruler. What does a person have to do in order to escalate the ladder of power? Must they act wise, strong, fierce, and intimidating? Or must they be compassionate and pleasing to the public? For all of the ways and reasons a person can transform themselves from a follower to a leader, the outcome will always remain indifferent: powerful. The public usually praises those who hold the scepter, however is their a possibility that once the crown is removed, they will become valueless?

        "'...In Paris, they treat them with great respect while they are still beautiful, but when they are dead they throw them on the dunghill.' 'Queens thrown on a dunghill! exclaimed Candide....'Our friend here is quite right. I was in Paris when Monimia passed, as they say, from this life to the other. She was refused what people call "a decent funeral" -that is to say, being sent to rot with all the parish beggars in some filthy cemetery. She was buried away from all her people if Burgundy Street.'" (Pg. 99)


           The power that lies within a queen or king is not of honor and wisdom. But the power they portray is usually bountiful of superiority, ego and corruption. This may be be the reason why Candide is so fascinated when explaining how Queen Monimia is buried in disgrace. Well, the order of power is reversed when she dies. She once had power over her people's bodies and now her people have power over her body.We can see this events all throughout history. For instance, the last Tsar family were the Romanov's. When World War I broke out, Nicolas II became weak from his own power. This led him to resign moments after the war, and later on murdered along with his entire family in Siberia. When this family was going to be entombed, The Peter and Paul Cathedral, (where all Tsars are buried) did not apply for this family. For this reason, the Russians built a room beside the Cathedral in order to burry the ex-tsar family. Although, this might seem an act of appreciation for the family, it was quite the opposite. The thought of being separate from their whole family line was shameful.

                There is an exception to this rule (powerful people being dishonored after their loss of position), which is the parental power. Parents are the queens and kings of the household. These people are able to take decisions for their children and control their actions and opinions. However, this constant respect that has remained in all the culture's domestic dynamics is fading away. The lack of education and parent guidance is backfiring, when we see children since a small age having a mind of their own. This independent mind cannot be taken positively, for their actions are usually immoral. This rule can be highly applied the Chinese culture. Since the children were small, they were taught to honor the elderly. Power may have different purposes, but the power that lies in a household ables society to produce "well trained" beings. However, power does not only come in government and in households. Power comes in love, in religion and in favors.

           In Candide, we can see the use of power having a more significant effect on each character. Pangloss's influence on his students, demonstrates this philosophers dominance over society's morality. A philosopher might as well be the most influential person of all.

         Power can also be seen in the love between Lady Cunegonde and Candide. Their compromise inhibit each other to have other relationships. "As he went back to his hotel with the abbe Candide felt some remorse at his infidelity to Lady Cunegonde." (g. 105)

            In addition, Pacquette, Pangloss's physics pupil seems to survive her syfilis. She is rescued by a doctor her imprisons her, for she owes him so many favors. "....If a famous doctor had not taken pity for me, I should have died...the doctor was the ugliest man you ever saw, and I was the most wretched creature alive being continually beaten for the sake of a man I did not love." (pg. 114) Pacquette is stating that she had to stand the abuse of a man she did not have any feelings for. Does this mean that she thinks one should bear any harsh behaviors from a man one "loves?" Love can have a negative power against you. Dark love can weaken one's self esteem. This kind of love is simply corrupt.

The Trap

       Candide along with Cacambo, land in the most extragavent, luxurious and mysterious country: eldorado. It’s commonly filled with golden skyscrapers and precious stones.What society considers of valuable objects, the people of eldorado only see it as ordinary. Eldorado has an entrance but no exit. This enclosed land, forces citizens to remain ingorant of the world’s hate. All people are friendly and good-hearted, there is no corruption or relgious empowerment whatsoever. Yet, among all this greatness, there is poverty.

     What is the simbolism of eldorado? Why has Voltaire created such a magnificent and exquisit atmosphere and made the citizens poor? This writer intends to demonstrate how fortunate people, in reality, seem perfect on the surface, but are completly unhappy and emtpy inside. Voltaire is trying to transmit that money does not buy happiness. The eldorado people might be surrounded by buildings and roads of gold, they might use diamonds as marbles, people might seem warm and welcoming, however, they are said to be moneyless.

     “Two waiters and two waitresses, dressed in cloth of gold with their hair tied in ribbons, invited them to sit down to table and put before then four

tureens of soup, each garnished with two parakeets, a boiled vulture weighing about two hundred pounds, two delicious roast monkeys, three hundred doves on one plate, and six hundred humming-birds on another, as well as exquisite stews and lucious pastries, all served on plates of a sort of rock crystal...” (pg. 76) Why has this community of poor civilians embraced these two strangers with such nobility? Why has the government especially offered to pay all expenses for a foreigners ultimate comfort?

        “’All inns run for the convenience of tradespeopleare paid for by the government. You have fared badly here because this is a poor village, but everywhere else you will be recieved as you deserve to be.’” (Pg.77) Even though people in this city have been miserably striken by poverty, why are they so interested in covering their penury by spoiling newcomers with luxuries they cannot afford themselves? Are these people exemplifying today's materialistic culture? That even though people might not have too much money, still want to appear of high etiquette? Or, that high class civilians shield their sadness with luxury. 

          The mystery of the eldorado people will always remain. Who are these people? Why do they live among such greatness and are still poor? Why is the government and relgion moral and law-abiding, but freedom non existing? Athough these individuals might seem to live in a much superior world than others, they have not the will to leave. The people of eldorado are chained to a life of superficiality and inner hollowness. Eldorado has an entrance but no exit. Once society enters a state of greed, there is not way out. The people of eldorado are the people of today.  

Altruistic Intentions: Society's Defeat

“Having heard the old woman’s story, the lovely Cunegonde began to pay her all respects due to a person of her rank and quality.” (pg.58)

        

         How are minorities designated? Do we define inferiority, by education or ethnicity? Nonetheless, people have been accustomed to blur the line between these two aspects. Discrimination involves degrading a person any way possible. In Candide we can see how the minorities of a society affect their functions. For instance, when Abigail persuaded Lady Cunegonde to marry the fellow Governor of “Buenos Ayres,” with the argument of  saving her reputation.Voltaire is able to portray how Lady Cunegonde, a cultured woman, has the opportunity of marrying a governor, not just for her stunning appearance, but because she came from a wealthy family. Thus, this demonstrates the escalating power of the aristocratic class, when preserving themselves as exclusive and pure. If Lady Cunegonde wouldn't have been a high class citizen in her past, Governor Don Fernando would have simply overlooked this deteriorated and ravished girl. However, minorities aren't always identified according to their economic ranking, but can be used to subordinate a culture. In particular, Candide states his dislike for Spaniards when Cacambo and Candide are about to be introduced to the Governor of “Buenos Ayres.” “’Praise to be God, said the dignitary, ‘I can speak to him as he is German.” (Pg. 63)

         However, as a reader, one comes believe Voltaire's genuine segregation for other races when he states: “My master Pangloss used to tell me that men are equal; and I shall marry her with no hesitation.” (Pg. 67) Voltaire’s constant mockery of how society has acted so warmly upon, Lady Cunegonde’s lack of prestige, makes readers reconsider his attitude when this woman is proposed matrimony by the governor. Is Voltaire saying that this proposal could never be real? Does he too believe that Lady. C is unfit for such a high standard man? Voltaire ridicules fictitious  romantic situations between Candide, the Governor and Lady Cunegonde, where citizens don't have any kind of discernment of the economical and cultural clashes. unlike society where people would attack this situation fiercely. His perception on reality and fantasy is raw. Voltaire intends to transmit a utopia that could never come true.

         The world dreams of equality, when sincerely, people aren’t capable of growth nor change.  Today this problem is even graver, for society has come to state their “growth” through the media. Individuals do not have to deal with representing and exposing to the world that they have “evolved.” They are convinced that through TV shows they can prove themselves righteous.They rely on TV to convince themselves that they have become  honest to others. For example, in The Blind Side, starring Sandra Bullock, her character is able to demonstrate how far citizens have come to when helping others. However, Sandra Bullock, plays the role of an exceptional woman, who is an exception and rare in reality. Sandra Bullock plays a woman who is unaware of minorities. She interprets a woman who all humans want to be, but everyone is too selfish to become.

                Voltaire admires Candide, but he doesn't believe society nor himself could ever be truthful to this character’s words: “...men are created equal.” (pg. 67)