by Sari Krosinsky
Daily Lobo columnist
I've often argued that it's pointless to base any argument on human nature, because it's virtually impossible to distinguish between which human attributes are the result of nature and which the result of learning, or even of a combination of the two.
Science is no help. Studies of the earliest human societies have too little information to be completely precise and in any period beyond pre-history social norms are too much a part of society to be easily divided from nature. Besides, the theory of today is bound to be usurped by the theory of tomorrow.
With such sentiments as these, I was rather surprised the other day when a friend informed me that I have too much faith in human nature. And I was even more surprised to find upon reflection that he was not entirely wrong.
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For example, I spent some time a couple of weeks ago observing people - eavesdropping, that is (I have a writer's bad manners.) In my observation, I was looking to find people at their best.
While I was in line for Food Not Bombs, I overheard a conversation between two people behind me. One of them told the other about his hitchhiking adventures on the way down. While he was talking with the last guy who picked up the group he was traveling with - a mechanic - he had mentioned that his dream was to own a Ford-something van. This guy just happened to have such a van, which was in good running condition and had gone unused for several months, so he gave it to them.
So I, of course, thought, wow, what a wonderful example of human kindness. Isn't that sweet.
Later that night, I overheard another conversation - with a woman from the same hitchhiking party. What I heard was her complaining to someone else that the guy that they got the ride with had meant to give the van to all of them, but that this other guy - the one I previously overheard - was going around saying that it was his van, and was hoarding the keys and she couldn't find him now that she wanted to go to sleep in the van.
So I thought, yuck. But only for a moment. Then I thought, surely they'll sort this all out and find out it's a big misunderstanding and make up and then all will be well.
But now I begin to wonder if that isn't just sounding a bit too much like faith in human nature. After all, they may have just continued to bicker about it, or complain and boast behind each other's backs about it, and the issue might just never be resolved. Except maybe by someone making off with the van.
I just like it better when the story ends the other way. And however this story may have progressed since then, the ending as far as I know it is still a happy one. The people whose house we were in offered the woman a bed and when she mentioned wanting to write in her journal - which was in the van - someone gave her some notepaper as a substitute.
So yes, I suppose I do have a tendency to seek out the good in people. Whether it's a matter of nature or nurture doesn't much matter. I've seen enough to be sure that people have a capacity for good. We may not always act for the best, but the possibility certainly lies within us.
And what are the ill effects of my optimism? Only that I try to act on the good in myself, and try to see it in others. That's not such a terrible thing, is it?
Besides, the friend who pointed out my excessive faith in humanity is himself excessively generous and kind. If he doesn't want me to think so well of people, he should stop being so good himself.
E-mail the inherent human contradiction to Sari Krosinsky at michal_kro@hotmail.com.
