Man Murderer and Culture

To no one’s surprise, there occurred two mass shootings last weekend.  This essay has to do with man’s aggressive nature within the context of his life space. Let’s initially take a look, at current aspects of an amoral culture in our country. We have inept, hateful and sadistic political divide; numerous white nationalist groups and associations; videogames with realistic violence; a plethora of heroic murder, lying, stealing and other amoral transgressions portrayed on TV and in the movies; superficial reporting with excessive amounts of hate, prejudice and racism expressed on radio, TV and social media; enormous greed and the easy availability and unnecessary amounts of automatic rifles. It’s no surprise that our country is number one when it comes to the number of mass murders. Let’s address man’s developmental history and his potentiality for aggressive behavior.

 There’s no argument that man is aggressive. Aggressiveness has been explained as either a result of a drive, instinct, or a need.  Man being aggressive is not surprising based on the anxiety, insecurity, helplessness and, dependency surrounding birth. I will use a baseball description of balls and strikes instead of good or bad as an analogy for potential aggressive behavior. Balls and strikes have a different connotation than good or bad.

Man essentially has two directions to express or exhibit aggression. Man can direct his aggression outward toward others. A need for aggression which has been defined by Henry Murray as: To fight. To revenge as injury. To attack, injure or kill another. Aggression can also be expressed verbally as in sadism or sadistic expression which is meant to hurt, or humiliate another’s feelings.

Men can also direct his aggression inward toward self. Aggression turned inward has been called by Murray the need for abasement which is: To accept injury, blame, criticism, punishment. To blame, belittle or mutilate the self. To seek and enjoy pain, punishment, illness, and misfortune. Depression and suicide are commonly understood as aggression toward self-turned inward.

We also know that aside from his inherited or physiological qualities, man expresses his aggression as a result and is often related to frustration when his goal behavior is thwarted. Moreover, learning and history have a lot to do with how, why, to whom and when the expression of aggressive behavior is exhibited

Within this background of aggression, let’s direct attention to the baseball analogy of balls and strikes and their ratio to depict potential conflicts with resulting potential for aggressive tendencies. Initially, we all start out life differently, not equally .Employing balls and strikes to the following: the wellness and wellbeing of the caretaker during pregnancy; the caretaker’s socioeconomic status; the caretaker’s physical and mental health; the caretaker’s ability to nurse; and with the caretaker’s marital status etc.  , we come up with a number or a ratio.  Next, let’s look at the newborn’s physiological health, at birth; and the newborns skin color which can be called either a ball or strike; the newborns ZIP Code or country of origin can be called a ball or strike; the nursing, doctor and hospital care can be called a ball or strike; the impact of the marital relationship etc. all affect this newborn. At this point, what is the ratio of balls to strikes? Hopefully, the baby can get to first base.

Within the baby’s development, he’s going to attend possibly preschool and then some K-12 educational program. Once again, zip code of the school results in either a ball or strike. Any learning disability or special needs of the student results in either a ball or strike. The quality of education and the quality of the sports, music and other school programs also results in either a ball or a strike. Additionally, the quality of his peer group relationships, experimentation with drugs, alcohol or cigarettes also can be evaluated in terms of balls or strikes. This important time of development, of acquiring an attitude toward academic skills, the beginning development of identity along with the capacity for intimacy are all affected by the number of balls and the number of strikes. Once again, the ratio of balls to strikes are important. Was this youngster able to get to second base, is he stuck on first base or is he still struggling at home plate?

Now perhaps on to college. If he’s a five-star athlete or has some extraordinary talent, colleges come running; if he is a Phi Beta Kappa with wealthy parents, then he has plenty of options. Maybe with these individuals, they have just hit a home run. However, for the rest, maybe there’s college accompanied by enormous school debt.  The college dropout rate is staggering. The non-college bound can join the military; receive minimum wage; have limited career employment opportunity; have questionable health care and social security –retirement etc. for their future. Once again, balls and strikes and the ratio are key components.

It’s clear that the history of balls and strikes affect degree of frustration regarding goal attainment. A heavy degree of frustration results in more aggression turned outward toward others and/or inward toward self. One’s history or batting average can be very low. If low, that equals lots of aggression.

A few words about the frustration in the environment created by the ruling class. The ruling class consists of the top 1% economically, with Wall Street and the large corporations. One politician said that corporations are people. Yes, but what kind of people? In our capitalistic-socioeconomic system, money is power or power is money. In any event, money and power are considered positives for those that have it and are considered negatives for those that don’t.

Based upon someone’s detailed history, they are going to have limited or unlimited opportunities. Sorry Jefferson, not everyone was created equal nor do they have equal socioeconomic and educational opportunities. Unfortunately, based on who we are, aggression is turned inward or outward. However, one word of optimism. Freud believed that we can partially limit aggression turned inward and outward through sublimation. Sublimation will not totally resolve and prohibit the release of aggression. However, with sublimation, we have numerous individuals that have excelled in all forms of the performing, literary, fine and creative arts; in scientific and philosophical achievement; in establishing foundations; and in sports. A home run is better than a ball and a ball is better than a strike both in baseball and in dealing with frustration and aggression.

The frequency and the manner in which aggression is expressed gives clues to the character and need structure of the individual. Likewise, the character and need structure of the individual gives clues to the manner in which aggression is going to be expressed. Of course, the number of balls and the number of strikes affect the development of character. Reducing the number of strikes will result in less violence than we have today.

Personally, I know about aggression turned inward and outward. I have engaged in fistfights, played high school and college football.  I ran the 100 mile one day Western States endurance run at age 62 and completed the 100 mile one day Swanton Pacific Ride and Tie at age 68. I also have participated in oral sadistic exchanges with Linda. Believe me, sublimation behavior is less stressful.

In essence, when a young male, at his peak or with higher levels of testosterone [promotes aggressiveness and sexual desire]; has an unconscious feeling of powerlessness [buying guns and affiliating with nationalistic hate clubs]; has a diffuse identity [ hateful exclusion of those different ,allegiance, pledging and proving loyalty  , stereotyping of enemies, readiness,  openness, attractiveness,  a needy desire to belong, an identification with  authoritarian  doctrines and ideas};  limited to irrational , prejudicial thinking; coupled with a doom and gloom outlook; having a   sadomasochistic character, we have, as a result , a serious prognosis. Rear this person in an environment with an amoral culture coupled with the greedy manufacturing of military weapons, and to no one’s surprise we have a preponderance of murder.

Man's Shortcomings

This essay depicts man’s shortcomings and the ineffective ways in which government and religion deal with it. With the arrival of civilization about 30,000 years ago, man’s tendencies and character were well-established. Religion’s goal was essentially to protect man from man; protect man from nature; to ease his pain in the present; promise an afterlife; be protected by a loving, powerful, forgiving, vengeful, narcissistic and demanding father figure. This father figure God has been depicted as an old bearded and long-haired entity.

Historically, religious figures like Hammurabi of Babylon and Moses had established a moral code of principles for the masses. They knew that man treated man aggressively, without trust, with power, dominance, control, inhumanely and with disrespect. And, when man behaved in his typical manner toward others, he would be punished and have to answer to God, some mediator or some other man-made configuration. In fact, commoners would even have to pay for the privilege. As religion developed, violations of the moral code resulted in a sin. Man could confess to a middleman mediator, fast for a day, say 10 Hail Mary’s, pay a  fine, perform  community work, go on probation, be incarcerated and  then be free to sin again. In essence, religious figures defined amoral behavior, called it a sin and then had the commoners pay for the privilege.

A few of Hammurabi’s laws incorporated common man-made characteristics and tendencies such as slander; fraud; slavery and slaves as property; theft; liability; divorce; adultery and perjury. A few of the 10 Commandments that Moses engraved included: not take the Lord’s name in vain; honor thy father and thy mother; thou shall not kill; and thou shall not commit adultery. Christian 10 Commandments added: neither shall you steal; neither shall you bear false witness against your neighbor’s; neither shall you covet your neighbor’s wife; nor you shall not desire anything that is your neighbors.  These laws or commandments defined man’s interpersonal interactions accurately. One can argue that religious laws have not done much to change man’s nature and characteristics. By the same token, one could also argue that without religious laws, man’s behavior would be even more deplorable and despicable. Who can win that argument?

We had Kings, Queens and popes, with God’s permission, attempt to make things more bearable for the common man. We have evolved with various forms of government; different democracies and dictators dealing with human frailty of life on earth. In our country, we have, according to some, the best form of democracy ever created. We have numerous laws, rules, regulations and punishments for those that have broken the rules. Of course, not all are treated equally under the law. Maybe we have the most despicable individuals in the world? How else do your account for the fact that the United States has the largest prison population in the world and the highest per capita incarceration rate or 24.7% of the world’s 9.8 million prisoners?

What about the homicide rate in our country? Per 100,000 people per year, one statistic has the total for the United States being 6.9. Of that number 10.7 are males and 3.1 are females. By comparison, another high income nation is Canada. Canada’s numbers are 1.4 for the total. 1.94 For males and less than 1.0 for females are that countries statistics.

Considering divorce in the United States, the marriage rate is currently 6.8 per 1, 000 total population .The divorce rate is 3.2 per 1000 population as of 2014 according to the CDC. Those figures suggest that if getting married, there’s a 50 percent chance of divorce. A flip of the coin might be another way to decide about getting married.  Maybe all those good years of marriage might outweigh the terrible weight of divorce.

Lying and stealing are also popular in United States as it’s a theme depicted in movies, novels and social media. In fact, our Pinocchio commander has set records with his exaggerations. Lying is supposed to be a crime if you lie to congressional investigations. Everyone lies, tells a half truth or engages with lies of omission. To say that man is trustworthy is also misleading. Additionally, my friend, an engineer, worked for one of the big three auto companies. Every six months or year, they provided him with a new vehicle to drive. The company did not pay taxes and called that benefit “he was test driving the car.” Not only was that a lie, the company was also cheating by not paying taxes.

These are troubling statistics regarding man’s moral behavior as defined by some religions of the world. Are we the most amoral group of people? Perhaps, there is not any government nor any religion that can tame, limit, suppress, or control man’s inhumane nature. It does not seem to matter if God is alive or if God is dead as depicted by statistics on dealing with man’s amoral nature. Maybe, our standard for moral behaviors are just too strict, unrealistic and unattainable. No wonder it’s easy for religions and government to peddle fear of your neighbor, group, clan, country etc. Just look at the statistics, as we have generous amounts of hate, prejudice and discrimination. Maybe government contributes to man’s difficulty in getting along with others. If so, maybe everyone should be armed with an assault rifle. Just kidding about the rifle.

It's Not about Intelligence

The theme of this essay relates to the repetition of self-defeating behavior. There can’t be many in our country that do not know about the long-term ill effects of poor nutrition; lack of physical activity; smoking; excessive drinking; and prolonged prescription and nonprescription drug use. One would think that it’s common knowledge that our body or more specifically our organs like heart, lungs, kidneys; infections; arthritis; and a whole host of diseases such as diabetes, cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and dementia etc. become compromised as a result of inappropriate behavioral choices.  For example, according to the CDC, about 72,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2017 and that 3/4 of our country are either overweight or obese.  Not to the surprise of some, recent studies have reported that lifestyle choices can limit genetic predispositions. More about that later.

 Typically, discussions around one’s weight results in defensiveness, and the expression of anger. Typical responses include: I have bad knees; I don’t care; I can’t change; it’s not going to happen to me-I’m going to gamble; I don’t know how to change; look at my relative who drank and smoked and lived to 100; I like food; I like the effects of getting a buzz; I like ice cream too much to give it up etc. There is no denying that the short-term effects of food, cigarettes, alcohol and drug use medicate and provide temporary relief. However, there is no denying that, more often than not, the long-term effects of these short-term fixes result in misery, shorter lifespan that includes a deleterious death. There is also no denying that we are not talking about some disease or genetic predisposition but we are talking about decision-making.

Psychologically, we can explain this self-defeating or abasement behavior as follows. The infant begins to experience praise or love for parental approving behaviors and punishment or perceived loss of love for parental disapproving behaviors. With the loss of love, we are exposed to danger which means that we are not protected. Not only that, we can expect to receive a punishment from a superior figure. Don’t forget that the many approvals and disapprovals by parents are not consistent nor clearly defined. What might seem to be okay or good with one parent is not necessarily the same as with the other parent. In other words, good behavior is not always understood but bad behavior is verbally or physically subject to punishment. The youngster initially learns, that if the discipliner is not present, one can get away with the bad behavior. Later, with the development of conscience, one knows what is punishable and therefore might not exhibit the terrible behavior, even if the authority is not present, because he knows it’s bad. He also begins to understand, with conscience, that even thinking about bad behavior is wrong and subject to punishment. Once again, punishment means the loss of love.  It doesn’t matter if the punisher says something to the effect that “this hurts me more than it hurts you.” The receiving of punishment or discipline is not associated with being loved.

With bad thoughts, and/or bad behavior, guilt is experienced. Guilt is the loss of love because of that internalized figure which might be a parent but not limited to a parent. When that youngster is being punished and/or receiving some form of disapproval, that results in feeling anger. How does this tiny individual respond to this large, omnipotent and powerful person?  To physically or verbally fight back against this dominant person doesn’t make sense because of the fear connected. So, that youngster suppresses that anger while experiencing thoughts and feelings of hate. The suppression of anger, guilt and loss of love dynamic occurs too often throughout one’s lifetime. Remember, one’s thinking evil thoughts results in guilt as well as the fear of loss of love and approval. Yes, we juggle approval behaviors and defend against fear of loss of love when faced against a superior or emotionally important figure in our life space.

It’s been well established, in our culture, that aggression is considered either a drive, a need, an acquired need; a reaction to frustration, or learned behavior because of the reinforcements and/or by the imitation of models within the environment. We also know that aggression can be directed outward toward others as in sadism or directed inward toward self as in masochism. We also know that aggression directed outwards as in boxing, football, soccer and rugby is acceptable because it’s called sport. However, anger directed inward as in the need of abasement-to accept injury, punishment, to seek illness and misfortune are characteristics of man.

It’s clear to me that long term abuse of one’s body, suggests self-punishment coupled with irrational thinking. If it’s self-punishment, that means there’s aggression turned inward along with the memory of being bad at some time or times during one’s lifetime. This memory results in an unconscious need for punishment. The individual through irrational and destructive repetitiveness behavior, systematically harms, hurts and seeks illness and misfortune by lifestyle choices because of an unconscious need for self-punishment. That doesn’t mean that external aggressive behavior as in verbal or physical sadism is not expressed toward others. I can’t think of one obese person that does not hurl verbal abuse outward. Yes, there is more to each unique and individual story as well as the power, the strength and influencing dynamic of their conscience.

Returning to an article published in July 14 of the journal JAMA, was presented to the “Annual Alzheimer’s Association International Conference.” Almost 200,000 people were enrolled in this United Kingdom long-term-eight year study. Diseases like cancer, heart disease, depression and dementia along with genetic variance were studied based on for behavior such as smoking cigarettes, exercise, and diet and alcohol consumption. The researchers found that those individuals, regardless of genetics, that exhibited healthy behaviors were nearly half as likely to develop dementia compared to the others. Unfortunately, the article didn’t comment on other diseases.

In conclusion, it seems that our design is not conducive in engaging in healthy behaviors, but quick medicated fixes. Perhaps, a strategy of exhibiting healthy and making appropriate behavioral choices along with routine healthcare visits, can be accomplished?  Everyone gets punished, experiences guilt and expresses aggression. The strength and influence of a strict and punitive unconscious conscience can be paramount; however there are no guarantees; no one said that it’s going to be easy; and we all are mortal.  In essence, self-defeating repetitious behaviors are symptoms of internal conflict or conflicts that can be confronted. Yes, we are all going to perish. However, while alive, if able, it’s better, in the long run, to react more rationally. The key question is “if able.” So far, man’s irrational and unconscious need driven behavior dominates and is more powerful than his intelligence.

Abandonment

Running past two horses in their separated pipe corral stalls, got me thinking. These horses are separated for a reason. As a rule, one horse, even though it’s a buddy, is sometimes called the alpha horse because of its domination. The domination might be in some form of play, feeding on available alfalfa or even drinking water. We humans generally are not separated by pipe corrals. The theme of this essay relates to abandonment within interpersonal relationships and/ or significant unions.

It is common knowledge that we start out life, on earth, totally dependent, fragile, anxious, and insecure or a helpless suckling. We rely on our caretaker or caretakers for our survival in meeting our physiological needs and requirements.  If all goes well, reasonably speaking, the infant develops some form of a cognitive and emotional sense of trust based on aspects of the care taker’s regularity, continuity and timing with the feeding, diapering, warmth and emotional holding contact process. Roughly, within the first six months or so, if that sense of trust has been developed, the infant cries and/or becomes disturbed when that caretaker leaves its view. That disturbance has been labeled separation anxiety. I could add and reframe it abandonment. Again, when the caretaker leaves the house to go to work or on an errand; or go into another room at bedtime, that infant might react with separation anxiety or abandonment fears. Parents, at times, attempt to resolve the infant’s fussing by bringing its crib into their room or even by bringing the infant to their bed. Of course, these feeble attempts by parents or anyone else, does not in any way resolve the initial dependency, anxiety or abandonment crisis state of being. This devastating emotional truth remains consciously or unconsciously with us during our lifetime. That original dependency separation-abandonment anxiety crisis never gets completely resolved but can only become “medicated.”

Further, lifelong separation- abandonment reenactments occur. A mother’s leaving as a result of occupation or career happens at least five days a week along with weekly errands. The birth of a sibling is another anxiety reenactment that has been called sibling rivalry-competition for love. I could reframe it abandonment as the initially favored firstborn has now been displaced with so much attention going to the newborn. Going from first to second place is not positive in any way. Don’t forget when the infant, ages 2 to 5 attends daycare, preschool or kindergarten there’s another separation from that important caretaker as dependency, anxiety, abandonment needs again become activated. What can make things even worse for the infant, child or adolescent is a divorce. Even though the parent that leaves says “I love you but I don’t love your mother anymore” or “your daddy’s still your father” can easily be translated that love is fragile or tenuous and can’t be counted on to last forever. That is the real message conveyed. Love is not guaranteed to last a lifetime.  That leaving by the parent also gets unconsciously translated by the child “he’s leaving because of me.” Do not forget the accompanying guilt as well. Over and over throughout one’s lifetime the individual experiences, like being imprinted,  this abandonment by initially experiencing an emotional dependency on any number of important individuals or more importantly a “loss of love” by nannies, housekeepers, school and work friends.  Relationships come and go. People die; develop Alzheimer’s; pursue employment; have disagreements, move away etc. The number of losses –separations in a lifetime is incalculable. It’ an awful degree of hurt, mistrust of “love,” and grief.

Now let’s proceed to the union between two individuals. That initial attraction between individuals can be unbelievably strong like two attracting magnets. All reason seems to go by the wayside as if unimportant. Some other individual may present a negative and that negative gets easily dismissed. The motivation is to be with the other. One’s thinking is about the other. One’s behavior becomes irrational as well. Lust or genital love dominates. The outside world diminishes in importance. It’s as if this involvement becomes a form of a “medication” that will solve all the ills of the self as well as the world. One explanation for this “falling in love” is because of a neurotransmitter called phenyl ethylamine or PEA. PEA has been called the real cause that facilitates individuals to fall madly in love with another. Unfortunately, the chemical effects of PEA diminish over 3-5 year time period. Other physical attractions like men with broad shoulders, thin waist, large muscles, being  financially secure and women with large breasts, trim waist, good figure with Helen of Troy beauty are other important variables for magnetic like  attractions.

Don’t forget that each individual brings unresolved dependency, separation anxiety, abandonment, and loss of love anxiety to each relationship. There may be other issues that surface such as trouble with femininity, premenstrual tension, distrust of males, the overvaluation of love, the neurotic need for love etc. For the male individual there may be issues like Oedipal, sadomasochism, power, control, fearful of strong women etc. that surface. Other potential conflicts can surface regarding rearing and disciplining of children, money, religious, political, help at home, time away from family, and other perceived loyalties .These conflicts often happen later and get in the way and interfere with the primary union.  Many, of these later conflicts can be traced back to the original formation of the insecurities of dependency, separation anxiety, abandonment and loss of love. Remember, it’s all about perception of the beholder. It’s not a surprise why long term unions are difficult. Further and unfortunately, the three little words “I love you” are often used to “medicate”. And the initial illusion “ It’s going to be different with me”  changes to … ?Furthermore, whether its marital vows or music “Till death do us part,” and “Don’t Let Your Love Fade Away” sums it up regarding our mortality and the losses through fear of abandonment. Fear of abandonment anxiety, often get expressed in the question “Do you still love me?” This is our reality- we are limited and have a history based on our own psychical constitution.

PS

Tony’s building a second home on Whidbey Island.

It's Tony's Fault

This essay addresses a question that I’m frequently asked “What are you running from?” In order to answer that question, I applied Kurt Goldstein’s Organismic Personality Theory. My reply incorporated a few of neuropsychiatrist Dr. Goldstein’s personality constructs such as Figure-Ground; Equalization; Self-Actualization; and “Coming to Terms with the Environment”

In 1997, while living in the Bay Area and nearing retirement, I was personally introduced to the sport of Ride and Tie. In this sport, two individuals and one horse competed as a team, in the mountains, on a trail of 22-100 miles in length. The object or the “figure” [a process that emerges and stands out against the background-perception and activity] would be competing, the running and riding or action in the particular event and the” ground” would be all the backdrop activities of the particular ride and tie event. In order to participate in the event-the figure, would be perfecting running ability; conditioning the equine; and finding a suitable partner with flawless exchanges. Of course, one could break down perfecting running ability-figure, with various running gear, training and hydration routines, running diversified trails etc.

I wanted to become better, and become more proficient and compete in this sport. I was surrounded and became associated with world-class athletes that had won and dominated the 100 Mile Western States Endurance Run; the 100 Mile Tevis and Hagan Cup; and the 100 Mile Swanton Pacific Ride and Tie. Self-actualization drive was the impetus to master and excel in this rugged event of Ride and Tie. Dr. Goldstein called this self-actualization a master motive. He didn’t address or enumerate on other needs. A need, according to Goldstein, was a deficit state which motivated the person to replenish the deficit. Self-actualization was the replenishment or fulfillment of a need or needs.

Employing Dr. Henry Murray’s listing of needs, I fulfilled ,by participating in the sport , a number of needs  such as: Abasement [to accept injury, punishment, pain]; Achievement [accomplishing something difficult]; Affiliation [cooperating, reciprocating and remaining loyal to a friend]; Play [to participate in sports]; and Exhibition [to make an impression]. At this time, I was also close to retirement and then moved to the Endurance Capital of the World. This environment was ideal for “Coming to Terms with the Environment.” This new environment facilitated my goal toward self-actualization. My environment was perfect for training and conditioning; I was surrounded by world-class athletes; and I was stimulated by all the rugged outdoor events. According to his theory, Goldstein postulated that we have an average state of tension; it gets interrupted and then, by our behavior, we attempt to return to that balance or equal state. This process was called Equalization. I experienced constant disturbances and energy change as a result of my participation in this sport. And, I had no trouble equalizing it by being able to center myself as in proper running practices, deep breathing, resting when tired, and nourishing my body through better hydration and nutrition.

More on coming to terms with the environment. I blamed Tony and frequently tell him “it’s your fault.” I met Tony in 1997 at the Mustang Classic Endurance and Ride and Tie event. Since that time, we have been to equine and running events throughout the state. Tony was there at the vet checks on the Tevis in Forest Hill and at the fairgrounds in Auburn assisting me with my horse Raider. Tony was there at Robie Point roughly 2 ½ miles from the finish for the Western States 100 mile run. Tony and I run three days a week and he has paced me numerous times on running events ranging from 50 K to 50 miles. Tony has accompanied me on book signings and presentations. Tony created a video for “It Has Nothing to Do with Age.” Tony was a co-producer for our TV program. Tony created my email account and my two blogs. Tony even made a rack for me to hold my numerous medals. I’m sure you’ll agree with me that” it’s his fault.”

Optimum mental and physical health was my drive and definition for self-actualization. Ride and Tie facilitated the physical health part as I competed  in many ride and  tie and endurance events; completed Tevis; was an age division winner in the 100 Mile Western States Endurance Run; and with my partner Jonathan and my horse Gypsy,  won the 100 Mile Swanton Pacific Ride and Tie. By the way, I am one of four individuals to have completed these three 100 mile events. Also, during this period, my cognitive  mental health was enhanced by researching and writing  two books  “It Has Nothing to Do with Age,” and Bo’s Warriors -Bo Schembechler and the Transformation of Michigan Football.” Both books had to do with learning about outstanding athletic individuals who were dominant and won awards in extreme sports. We’re still friends today.

Simply put, my main drive these past 22 years became my purpose in life. This drive for self-actualization was for optimum health and well-being. Being reared by a juvenile diabetic father, had a lot to do with my push for a healthy longevity. In essence, I am running from illness and running to health. Ride and Tie, writing two books, and moving to the Sierra Nevada foothills were the perfect choices and environmental circumstances for that goal accomplishment. Knowing what’s important as in “figure” and putting lesser things in the background like “ground” allowed me to continue to compete and experience happiness as a derivative -where it belongs. Sorry Mick, I have much satisfaction. It’s not about trying, it’s about doing.

Choices

 This essay addresses conflicts in “seeking happiness” and the choices of “avoiding of pain.” First a few realities. We have a mind-body that changes in negative and problematic ways during aging. Simply put, we are mortal. Second, we live in nature with its wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods etc. Third, we interact with people in a sociological, capitalistic economic and political society with its rules, regulations, laws and injustices among and between individuals. Navigation within these three realities is certainly most stressful which challenges the   pursuit of happiness and  the continued desperate attempts to avoid misery and pain.

Some of our pleasure and pain avoiding behaviors in dealing with these three realities include the following: 1. We consume alcohol, take drugs or food in order to intoxicate and numb our senses. Some distort and say they are pursuing happiness or pleasurable sensations. Some might say they are avoiding pain and uncomfortable sensations. More specifically, drinking alcohol and drug use has short-term and long-term effects. It allows us to withdraw from others; remove painful experiences caused by others and/or injuries and disease. Do not forget about addiction. How many live with excruciating pain and choose surgery for a solution? 

Surgery is accompanied by drugs before and after. It’s not surprising that the pharmaceutical industry created the blocking of pain. In so doing, this industry also created drug dependence and addiction with its opium/opioid concoctions. Initially, pain was removed in the short-term but the long-term effects are disastrous leading to addiction and death in many cases. We now are beginning to legalize marijuana in order to assist individuals in coping with the realities of living. Drugs, in the long term, do not solve the many issues facing individuals but they do assist people with some managing of their discomfort and problems with their reality.

Take a look at the profits of the food and pharmaceutical industry. They certainly are doing exceptionally well and have profited from the 2018 tax cuts. Recently it was reported that billion dollars’ worth of cocaine was seized in Philadelphia. That sounds like quite a demand for pleasure and/or drug treatment. It’s clear that Homo sapiens want to withdraw from the external world with all its harmful stress and toxic issues.

2. We numb our cognition and escape into TV, movies, sports, novels, electronic games etc. We create imagination, Illusions and fantasy through displacement mechanisms and the vehicle of entertainment. A clear way to escape reality and bring short-term pleasure is our involvement in the entertainment industry. Make no mistake about it, going to the movies is a short-term cost effective way for forgetting about one’s troubles and ills. One can identify with the strong, handsome and protective protagonist combating the villain. The male and female lead actors resolve their difficulties and live and love each other in bliss and happiness. That’s an example of a feel-good couple of hours. Or, there can be a death or reunion on film that allows the individual to feel emotions commonly not experienced. Yes, film-TV are diversions as one can incorporate their own illusion and own fantasy during and after viewing. Once again, there can be moments of so called happiness coupled with more time of avoiding pain and discomfort.

 3. We have painful and toxic interpersonal relationships. We aggressively attack others and even wage large scale wars against humanity on grounds of defense. We are going to attack them there before they attack us. This third way of avoiding inner discomfort or internal suffering is to direct aggression outward toward others. Sadism can have a sexual component as well as a motive of power to control and humiliate another. Beating up on someone physically or employing verbal sadistic exchange once again can have short-term effects of perhaps pleasure and avoiding internal pain. Just think of the amount and degree of sexual and physical abuse of children that takes place. Just think of the brutality performed and exhibited by the military and the police in various situations. Sometimes they say it’s for their own protection or survival. That would be avoiding pain. Hopefully, it would not be for some form of pleasure, power, control or satisfaction.

. A more productive way to withdraw and possibly, to bring happiness and quietness into your being is through yoga. No obvious side effects there. Just keep up a regular routine. Another way to possibly experience happiness and avoid pain would be through creative and intellectual pursuits as in drawing, painting, writing or performing and listening to music. No obvious lethal side effects there. Instead of expressing harmful aggression outwards towards another, become involved in competitive sports or play. In essence, one might be able to experience ways of dealing with pleasure and avoiding pain. Just find them, if you can. However, can we control our nature or mental life to seek something other than pleasure and avoiding pain since we don’t do either very well? It might be easier to avoid pain than finding happiness.