What it is to be human

This section is about what it means to be human.

 

The aims and aspirations of humanity. Our interactions with each other, and our goals.

Barry Schwartz speaking on TED about how practical wisdom comes from kindness, care and empathy for others. He gives examples of practical wisdom from janitors who disobey the rules to make their workspace a better place:

 

Here’s a video clip made from the movie “The Great Dictator” by Charlie Chaplin in 1940. Originally a parody of Hitler, Charlie Chaplin’s commentary in this video taken from the end of the film is worth listening to. The big question is, if he realized back then where we were heading, why are we still grovelling around in the mud?

 

No Religion Higher Than Humanity: This is the story of Abdul Sattar Edhi, 84, who at an age when most people are content to wile away their hours, gave up everything to devote his life to helping Pakistan’s poorest. Here is his journey. From standing on the sidewalks begging for the poor, to establishing Pakistan’s biggest network of shelter homes and ambulance service, this is his story:

 

Chris Abani musing on humanity on TED. He narrates in a sometimes humorous way, his experiences growing up in Nigeria and more. He talks of compassion, standing up to soldiers, and people claiming back their humanity. He calls it “ubuntu”, which he explains means that for him to be human requires you to reflect his humanity back at him.

He was imprisoned three times by the Nigerian government under harrowing conditions, and turned his experiences into poems. He also wrote two novels: GraceLand (2004), and The Virgin of Flames (2007):