How Civilized Are We?

This letter is an homage to Margaret Mead - a renowned anthropologist who I consider the real G.

Why?

Usually, we consider written language, trading, architecture, etc… as signs of civilization.

However, Mead had a different idea about what civilization encompasses.

In civilized cultures, anthropologists are able to discover clues of any broken but healed femur.

You see, in the wild, you would die if you break your leg.

You will not be able to run from predators with a broken femur.

You are prey without the ability to escape.

A healed femur is a sign that someone has taken the time and energy to care of the unfortunate, to give the unfortunate enough care and safety for the wound to heal.

The person had a chance of recovery because of the help from another person.

Helping others makes us civilized.

Being selfish is not.

We can choose to be civil or not.