The Numbing and Dumbing of Humanity
The Numbing and Dumbing of Humanity allows those amongst us who abuse animals to do so with impunity. These people do not walk timidly in this world – they stride through it with confident, arrogant steps – sure of their superiority, entitlement and self-righteousness.
NOTE – Some Pictures or Content May be Graphic or Disturbing To Younger or Sensitive Readers
This post is in no way meant to be a blanket condemnation of humanity – but rather a global observation of the great divide that exists between those who care for and respect animals and the earth – and those who do not. It is only through education, awareness and thought provoking information and conversation that people will change. Cultural shifts must happen – business methodology must change and our species must come to the realization, that in spite of the government regulations of the moment, that it is ultimately our world to destroy or preserve. I need to believe that I tried to make a difference!
From corporate factory farming – to trophy hunters who slaughter endangered animals, to every circus who tortures wild animals – to the oil companies who pollute the earth and the waterways and big business who is intent on destroying our rainforests for palm oil – to the fashion industry who butchers animals with bone-chilling depravity – to the barbaric religious festivals and the culturally-charged blood sports of self-congratulatory countries – to the every day animal abuser who tortures and discards a stray animal or his own pet – we as a species – accept this and allow it to happen. This is who we are.
Humanity, in spite of great strides in so many areas of life, has not evolved – we have regressed. Our cruel, destructive ways are without limitation. Most of us are followers. Even when we see abuse – we are afraid of our own voices – content to get by – busy with our stuff and things and excuses. I applaud every person who takes one step to help in any way – but sadly most of us are deaf – dumb and blind!
Over many centuries we have been numbed to the feelings of the creatures with whom we share the planet – so sure are we of our superiority and our moral high ground – we can do whatever we like. We are raping the earth at an alarming rate – shredding her natural beauty and desimating her rich resources. We don’t notice because once we have been “numbed” – we can be “dumbed” down and controlled. The number of times I hear these objections to animal brutality – “Oh no don’t tell me this – don’t show me that – I don’t want to know” – tells me just how successfully we have been numbed and dumbed.
We are the recipients of numbing and dumbing on so many fronts that we have become overwhelmed by the sheer density of information. We cannot take in and process our own participation in cruelty and abuse. So we turn away – hoping that someone else will do something – so we don’t have to get involved. We don’t want to face who and what we have become as a species.
Lack of education. Education should be a basic right for boys and girls. It is not because governments know that “education” leads to “thinking” and that is not in their best interests. On a gender basis – women and girls in numerous countries are denied access to education because many men fear the power of an educated female mind.
The global political process is rife with power mongering – money – entitlement – ignorance – lying and corruption. Human rights violations of the most egregious kind are tolerated and not questioned. A few brave souls dare to speak out. We applaud them but we do not stand up with them.
An appalling lack of morality – if humanity ever had a moral compass – it has been long since lost in the sands of time.
Corporate greed and profit triumph over what is right. Money trumps all.
What is behind that “closed door” is out of sight and not my responsibility.
Busy lives keep us off balance and only able to focus on our own priorities. We have no time to question authority. Eventually we stop caring and that is just what big business and governments want.
Technology was supposed to free up our time so we could interact more with our families and friends. Instead it has enslaved us in the ridiculous minutiae of life. We are more obsessed with our devices and with sharing and connecting than ever before – but in the process we have created people who are emotionally isolated and incapable of “like” engaging in new thought and spirited, challenging conversation and debate.
The Media is fixated on mundane nonsense and celebrity worship so much of the time. Hard hitting journalists who are not afraid to ask the tough/unpopular questions on critical issues are a rarity. Their “big business handlers” prevent rocking any boat that might prove unpopular in the circles of power. For instance – why are we trading with China when this country is responsible for such incredible violations of human rights, the killing of endangered creatures and blatant cruelty to animals? Have you ever heard these questions on the night time news? Why not?
Sports – entertainment – video games are rife with violence – blood and cruelty. People become immune to the pain and suffering of their fellow humans and animals.
The general ignorance of humans allows the barbaric treatment of animals to go unchecked. We are deliberately force fed a soul destroying disconnect to the suffering of “dumb” animals. Animals products are marketed and packaged to ensure that we do not think. A pig becomes pork and bacon. A calf becomes veal – the suffering of geese becomes foie gras and down – birds are poultry – furs are luxurious fashion must haves. We have been trained to think that all these items don’t really come from living animals who think – feel – love – suffer and want to live. They are there to die for our convenience.
We are so sure of our superiority that we are blind – deaf and dumb and we like it that way – because then we have no accountability. We are not responsible. We justify our inaction because it is “other” people who are doing the bad things. We have come to believe that “life” other than ours has no value! As long as things are shut away behind closed doors and solid walls we can carry on in a comfortable state of denial.
WE ALLOW the barbaric convenience of factory farming. We do not see a living, breathing creature who feels – we see a product.
WE ALLOW the soul destroying circus and zoo to exist.
WE ALLOW the undignified disposal of a circus animal when it’s no longer of any use.
WE ALLOW animals to be brutally removed from their families and cruelly trained for animal tourism and entertainment.
WE ALLOW bull fighting – bear baiting – dog fighting – canned hunting and animal trapping. We applaud when an animal suffers and dies. We lust after the kill. We crave the power to dominate and destroy – we cheer and stomp our feet – we want to see the blood flow …
WE ALLOW the trophy hunting of endangered animals and our most iconic creatures. He is applauded for his bravery and his killing. He thinks he is special and entitled to his gun. He is so emotionally disconnected that he believes there is nothing wrong with what he has done. What right did this lion have to life? To him – none. It was fun. What is left of his soul is black and dead.
WE ALLOW animal poaching.
When CITES met in March of 2013 – one petition that called for the protection of elephants contained 1.2 million signatures. There are 7 billion people on earth and that was the best that we could do. The petition was ignored. This destruction is for Trinkets for China. We want to trade with China so we worship at the feet of this amoral behemoth. We allow their cultural beliefs in “witch craft medicine” to devastate entire species of endangered animals. And as a reward for its appalling behaviour – we gave China the 2008 Olympics. We will probably do the same with Japan – a country who continues to brutalize whales and dolphins without consequence.
WE ALLOW wildlife crime to exist.
WE ALLOW bear bile farms to exist in Asia. Can you even begin to imagine spending 20 years in this vile cage?
WE ALLOW puppy mills to exist and flourish.
WE ALLOW the barbaric brutality of unnecessary animal experimentation who participate do not see – do not care …
WE ALLOW the beauty and fashion industries to torture and slaughter animals for our vanity. We treat fashion designers like rock stars and only a few of us demand that they be accountable.
WE ALLOW religions to torture and sacrifice animals in the name of “god” and for good luck, bountiful harvests and other stupid and false beliefs.
WE ALLOW animal abuse and torture. We routinely work animals to the point of collapse and death because we believe they have no value. We do not see their pain and fear.
WE ALLOW animal brothels to exist where men and women sexually abuse innocent and helpless creatures.
WE ALLOW ourselves to believe that there should be “no consequences” to our behaviour. We do not jail animal abusers and poachers.
WE ALLOW animals to live without rights, basic care and protection. We tell ourselves that animal welfare is a step in the right direction IT IS NOT. Animals need “rights” – entrenched in globally accepted and enforced laws. Our judicial systems are heartless. Our governments are gutless.
WE ALLOW so-called experts to tell us how to “manage and conserve” our wildlife. We believe in culls and round ups and captivity.
WE ALLOW entire species to become extinct. We say “oh isn’t that awful” and then we quickly move on – because we humans are such busy little bees! HOW can we allow this to happen to any creature?
WE ALLOW animals to be a commodity with no value other than profit.
WE ALLOW corrupt governments to rule with no consequences. We allow entire nations to be run by governments who cheat and lie and do not represent the majority of their people.
There are good people and bad people – it has been ever thus. Those who are kind and compassionate have always endeavored to right the wrongs of those who are evil. It has often been said that if animals could speak they would ask only one question – “why”. I believe that if animals had a voice – they would look at us with their knowing, intelligent eyes and simply say – “we pity you”.
The soul of an animal shines so much brighter than that of a human being. It knows loyalty – compassion – love – need – family – inclusion and caring. It has not been tarnished by greed – cruelty – corruption and power. The numbing and dumbing of humanity has created the world as we know it today. The hard, startling realities of “have and have not” – “me first” and “I don’t care”.
Considering the holocausts that humans visit upon their own species – is it any wonder that we are inured to the suffering of mere animals. We humans are blind to the fact that we slaughter “billions” of animals every year for what we perceive to be our wants and needs. Think “billions” every year!
WE DO NOT demand – question – participate. We throw up our hands and say “what can I do – I’m only one person. We excuse our complicity. Most of us are too lazy to write a letter – sign a petition – talk to a friend or even to vote. We are a species with highly tuned talents for complaint – justification – self righteousness – entitlement – not me and not my problem. We focus on fragments – we fail to see the whole.
Ultimately this collective apathy and inertia will cause our downfall. There is something missing in the genetic make up of a human being. This core of innate goodness is present in animals. We can only hope to one day discover this source and emulate their basic decency. We are destroying the very things that make our planet so incredible – the land – the seas and oceans – the air and the animals who unfortunately are inexorably tied to our colossal human failings.
Is it too late? Not if we wake up – think – participate – care – demand – speak up – march – write letters and refuse to settle for the current, appalling status quo. Bullies use fear and intimidation as tools to control the thoughts and actions of others. We need to remember that one person can make a difference. Get involved, step forward and let that person be “you and you and you” …
For me – this powerful photograph speaks to all that we are doing wrong!
But then I see these pictures and they make me believe that there is a slow awakening – a brighter consciousness awaiting us. If you want to understand love – spend time with animals. They don’t need flowers and candy – love comes naturally to them. But in spite of all the devastation and sadness – I remain hopeful. I am forever grateful to every person who takes a stand and says – “what can I do to help create positive change” – and then does it …
Please do something today for animals …
