I often wonder about the nature of humans and how we live in this world. From the very beginning, survival has been our main goal. We do what benefits us most, often without thinking about the cost to others. This instinct to protect ourselves and secure our place is natural, but over time, it has grown into something deeper:fear and greed. These two forces seem to drive almost every decision we make, shaping the way we live, work, and even govern our societies.
Governments, for example, often make loud announcements about small, symbolic actions. They ban straws or plastics in certain areas, and yet the bigger problems, like the invisible microplastics in our water, food, and air, continue without proper attention. It’s as if we are encouraged to applaud the small efforts while ignoring the larger, more complex dangers. In the end, policies often serve profit or political image more than the people they are meant to protect. The well-being of citizens frequently comes second to agendas or economic gain.
As individuals, we are no different. We want what is best for ourselves, sometimes even at the expense of others. If we have resources, we hold on tightly; if we do not, we struggle endlessly. Life often feels like a race where only the strongest or the luckiest survive, and this instinct pushes many of us to gather more and more, regardless of the consequences. It is frightening how much this desire controls our actions. Even those who once had nothing, once they rise above their struggles, naturally want more such as more comfort, more power, and more status. There is nothing wrong with ambition or the desire to improve your life, but the problem arises when this ambition harms someone else or destroys their chances.
The truth is, no one truly cares unless it affects them directly. We are all guilty in some way. Fear of lacking and the greed to have more blinds us from thinking about the collective wellbeing. We buy, we hoard, we compete—sometimes forgetting that the earth and its resources are shared. Often, I wonder if we actually need so much to survive. A lot of what we chase is not essential, yet we treat it as if it is.
Every human has a limit to what they can accept or endure. Once basic needs are met, the drive for more becomes almost instinctive. But if this desire involves hurting another, taking what isn’t ours, or destroying someone’s chance at a fair life, then it becomes meaningless. True progress is not just about accumulating wealth or status; it is about living without causing harm, about balancing ambition with empathy.
In the end, life is what it is. Fear and greed are part of the human story, but awareness of these traits gives us the chance to act differently. We can survive and thrive without destroying one another, and maybe, just maybe, that is the real challenge of being human.