We live in a world with lots of differences. People are dying of poverty by the millions while other people are feasting in fancy hotels in Europe and Asia. People are suffering for not been able to afford dental treatment while people are spending hundreds of thousands in a new shining smile. That’s the world. I know it can get a lot better but i also know it was a lot worst. At times slavery was common. At times killing with no reason was acceptable. It sounds like the world we live in now, right? Look up in history and you will see it was a lot worst. Our life expectancy is proof of that. This is already subject for a lot of arguments but this is not the main subject here. The main subject maybe has to do with the fact things doesn’t get even better. Much better. And the answer is my subject:
The more pleasing to the eyes seams to get a better place in the sun. It’s everywhere and it probably has something to do with “survival of the fittest” as it has to do with a very nazi concept of purity but the fact is that it is there as strong as ever or even more. We try to fill these gaps by trying to improve our social behavior. By accepting. By not saying out loud what we think about the fat, the bald, about the old, the poor, the sick and so on. Or are the fat kids the popular ones in your neighborhood’s school?
I’m in Cozumel right not and it’s a paradise people try to preserve. No wonder. It’s really amazing. But i can’t help but remembering coasts with less luck. Those with less interesting fish and less reefs and soaked in oil from transport ships. So i also had to remember about my fluffy cat. The animal i love the most. He happens to be a gourgeous persian cat. I had to remember my cat because there are cats screaming all night by the hotel in Cozumel because they are starving as billions of other animals in the world. The fish here are so friendly. They don’t fear humans. Neither the cows and pigs that we eat everyday. Ok. Not all the cows. The really beautiful cows turns into procriation machines and have a better luck.
The fact is that it seams we gotta really balance out Darwin in these situations but we are unprepared for the task. We do want equality but we finance the differences. We pay for the top models and we go to the movies to see things pleasant to the eyes. We hang with the good looking ar the successful or those we admire in one way of the other. And yes we choose and leave the unlucky behind. Probably many of you are as me unlucky in many subjects and lucky in a couple. In the hotel i am there are a lot of poor mexicans serving food and making sure the lucky ones are well served. I’m lucky for a week a year but as i’m not a model and i don’t find my place in the sun unless i work more than one should i have to go back tomorrow and work as most. As those mexicans serving us. The thing is: Some are spared of this. Some get it easier and it’s all about Darwin. But not the fittest to survive as Herbert Spencer said. Just the fittest and gourgeous. Deny it if you can! Tell me you left the cute kitty behind and got the ugly blind one. Tell me you are ugly and always had it easy for you. Tell me you believe most people tend to see beauty in virtue and spirit. Tell me i’m not saying the true! If i’m telling the true in other hand it will be really difficult for us to ever live in an equal society where everybody can find a place in the sun. That’s the sad true…unless you are one of the lucky ones…
One time (1997) I stayed at a Best Western in Rocky Point, Mexico with either my sister or my beet friend at the time Christine. It was clean and there was a swim up bar. I was impressed with how well the maid(s) seemed to be getting on. There was something.. they moved around so freely in the sunshine.
What you say is poignant. But it’s also true. We, people, are not something separate from nature (although we often prefer to think so). We are subject to the same laws of birth, death, and survival of the fittest, as Darwin phrased it. Actually — as you do point out –the last is somewhat eased by modern medicine and modern compassion and modern science. But the laws of nature will always apply. Look at how talented and artistic you are! Much more than most. Is that “fair?”
The best we can do, I suspect, is to be grateful for what we have, knowing we were only responsible for a small piece of it. If any. And perhaps to try and be helpful when we can?
Your photos are always thought-provoking. This time it’s your words.
Thank you very much for these words my friend. Those are friend’s words. I don’t think i’m talented but maybe really curious. What i do believe is what you said. Trying to help the best we can. There is a cry in this post that leaves the question of how much we are humane and how much animal. If we are as we claim we should do better. That’s the point i guess. As you described greatly!!!
I think about these things all time too. I very much appreciate your post here. Well considered.
Be well, Giulas.
Thanks Jamie. I think the only way to be what we want to be is to know exactly what we already are…If we want to be more “humane” we gotta understand that it’s not so easy and natural as it seams…It demands some effort to do it…
Reblogged this on INTO THE BARDO and commented:
Giulas is a thoughtful, talented South American film-maker and photographer. I have followed his blog and YouTube channel for a few years now. This post is one I particularly appreciate. Guilas gives us something to think about, which he has drawn from his refined spiritual and artistic sensibility. Thanks, Giulas. Jamie
I am so grateful to read this again. Some things –like good wine of old instruments–have the capacity to improve with age!
Thank you so much !!! So glad you enjoy it!!