Stories from the Road: The Dark Side and Human Nature

[Tobin S.]

How many times have you heard of someone speak of human nature in a negative way? Almost every time I've heard someone say "It's human nature" it has been in a negative way. Like humans are beasts that if left to their own devices will lie, cheat, steal, and even kill to get their way. I'm going to speak of human nature in a different way and I'm going to speak from personal experience.

I used to be crazy as hell. From the time I was 20 until I was 30 I was on the edge of being in control and just totally losing it. I did a lot of bad shit in that time and I have two misdemeanor convictions to show for it. For one of them the initial charge was a felony, and I got away with a lot more than I was busted for all through that decade. My criminal record could be a lot longer and could include convictions for drugs and violence.

I refer to that period of my life as my lost decade. It still hurts me to think back on those times. When I was going through those experiences it was incredibly painful. So much so that I'm still feeling the aftershocks eight years later. I did not want to be a bad person when I was going through all of that. I wanted to love and be loved. I wanted to have a lot of friends and be normal. I really didn't want to hurt anyone, but I found myself doing it. I had a persecution complex and I was paranoid. As much of a danger as I was to other people, I was much more a danger to myself. I nearly killed myself.

*Big heavy sigh*

But I was insane. That was not my natural state of being. I am naturally a kind, compassionate, empathic, humble, and generous person. That was the way I was before I became sick and that is the way I've been since I was 30.

With rare exception, the people who I meet out here on the road are friendly people. I travel all over the country; red state blue state, whatever. They don't need a law to tell them to be that way. They are naturally good. I met a dock worker out in Tacoma, Washington who was one of the friendliest people I've ever met. He was unloading my truck and seemed to go out of his way to be friendly and quick about it. I'm here in Deer Lodge, Montana now and spent a little time socializing with some of the locals. We enjoyed each others company. There wasn't anyone there to tell us to be kind to each other. That's just the way we were.

I've seen the ugly side of people, both on this board and out in the world. That may be a part of who we are, but I don't think that it's a side of us that is expressed unless something is terribly wrong. And if it were true that humans were naturally bad, I think there would be a lot more blood shed in the world.

If you treat someone like an animal he or she might turn into one. But even people who were treated that way can come out on the other side with their humanity intact. I'm one of them.

You are good. ;)

[jotsy]

1. You're pretty awesome yourself Sir Tobin.

I see ethics and morals as different things, ethical considerations are I think what drive us to explore a deeper side of the human experience. The problem right now, as I see it, is that folks are seeing only the reward of flawed behaviors and it minimizes the 'taboo' of it. I do my best to wish all well and be warm about it; hope the sentiment of that spreads in a pay it forward way.

Kudos to you for your candor and sharing your chart to a deeper self. Your posts from the road are compelling tid bits of society's state from a variety of views. You convey it all well, IMO.

[Tobin S.]

2. Thank you

:)

[Kali]

3. like you said "dark side"

it can come out when circumstances are equally dark but I agree the vast majority of humans are good the vast majority of the time


good post, Tobin - you are an amazing person, really glad to "know" you

[Tobin S.]

4. Maybe I'll get to stop by mile marker 317 sometime

I'll park on the shoulder of the highway and set my red, reflective triangles out and we'll have tea until the cops get there and chase me off. :)

[Kali]

11. I really hope you will.

or exits 312 or 318 might be safer;-)

[MiddleFingerMom]

5. Calvin & Hobbes...

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...comes from two philosophers named, surprisingly Calvin and Hobbes.
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One thought humans essentially bad/evil, but circumstances and personal
gain could cause them to "act" in acceptable, or even "good" ways.
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The other thought humans essentially good/noble, but circumstances could
cause them to "act" in bad, or even "evil" ways.
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I can NEVER remember which is which.
I'm pretty sure that's because it doesn't really matter. :rofl:
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But I'm with the guy who thought people are good. There's just too many
of 'em around... and it is MUCH more profitable (often) to follow that
dark side... financially and/or emotionally.
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Yet most people are decent, nice, helpful.
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I think that is the POTENTIAL for human nature.
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Of course... there are ALWAYS exceptions to that.
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[Mopar151]

6. Same All Over (Canned Heat)

Good People Everywhere Ya Go!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCjG_2ZBlM0

Tobin Theme Bonus Tracks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=audxGqo5AkQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QexOuH8GS-Y

[BarenakedLady]

7. Thank you

You are good too. :)

[Odin2005]

8. HUGS!!!

:hug:

[From The Ashes]

9. Well said, Tobin.

...I'd like to shake your hand some day. :hi:

[Richardo]

10. Fantastic post.

Thank you, Tobin - keep 'em coming. :yourock:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

12. thanks, Tobin

:toast:

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. My dear Tobin...

You are a prime example of goodness...

I too would like to shake your hand someday! I would be so honored.

Keep your stories coming! Even if I don't comment, I always read...

And I always enjoy...

:hug: