TL;DR
- Engaging with diverse cultures promotes the exchange of ideas, fostering community evolution and progress while encouraging the adoption of new methods and perspectives to achieve common goals.
- The process of connecting with others triggers the release of positive neurochemicals such as oxytocin and dopamine, enhancing feelings of safety, contentment, and overall well-being, while emphasizing the importance of nurturing supportive relationships.
- Primates and humans share the ability to demonstrate empathy and altruism, as evidenced by research that highlights their similar evolutionary roots. Primates exhibit commonality with humans such as comforting distressed peers, collaborating in problem-solving tasks, and displaying emotional responses that reflect an understanding of others’ feelings. This capacity for empathy is believed to be rooted in shared cognitive processes, such as theory of mind, which allows both humans and primates to recognize and interpret the emotions and intentions of others.
- Despite the positive outcomes of human relationships, the article acknowledges the potential for misunderstandings and conflict, yet reinforces the idea that persistent communication and a shared drive for connectivity enable us to overcome these challenges and contribute to the collective betterment of society.
“No man is an island”. English poet John Donne coined this phrase in 1624 in his exploration of human connection. Donne believed that people needed each other for companionship, fulfillment, and support. Four hundred years later, this still rings true.
Another well-known figure in the commentary of human connection is Frans de Waal, a famous Dutch primatologist. He believed that humans and primates shared evolutionary roots and challenged the view that humans are unique in their ability to express empathy and altruism. Research has captured apes demonstrating theory of mind, illuminating how humans and apes share similar thought processes. This ability is essential for collaboration, binding communities together through the development of reasoning and morals. Humans have also developed complex communication such as writing, art, music and language. We use language to pass down cultures and stories, transmitting knowledge, beliefs and behavior to future generations.
When we connect and communicate with people from different parts of the world, we experience the gift of diversity. We witness new ways of existing and open our minds to greater possibilities. Our world is composed of many different cultures, and each one has established their own laws and ways of interacting to survive.
There is a wide array of religious practices and moral standards that vary across the globe. We learn that there is no one right way. To move forward, it’s important to consider and possibly adopt new methods and strategies. By connecting with a person on a unique path, we learn new methods for accomplishing tasks and integrate new patterns of thinking.
It’s human nature to look to our connections for inspiration and to enrich our existence. This inclination is a cognitive gift. The celebrations, the observance of holidays together, and established routines with friends or family are the ingredients for a good and happy life. Through playing and working together, our connections are our touchstones of inspiration. Exchanging ideas with one another refreshes our perspective and can point us in new directions to explore all aspects of existence. As we explore, we change and grow.
The brain is receptive to social interaction, which includes conversation and physical touch. Connecting with others releases specific neurochemicals, a small organic molecule or peptide that participates in neural activity. As you get to know that special someone, the mix of positive social cues and physical touch can cause your brain to release neurochemicals like oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. Oxytocin, for instance, is a neurotransmitter that helps you form bonds and leaves you with a sense of overwhelming contentment. Other neurotransmitters help us feel safe and nurture good feelings.
Humans naturally gravitate towards experiences that release these neurotransmitters. One example is the coach who engages his team through a regimen of exercises, focusing on affirmations of strength, courage, and winning. This in turn creates positive feelings and releases neurotransmitters. When we do these activities together, the process known as co-regulation helps people provide supportive relationships to one another through coaching, modeling, and feedback.
Contrary to the feel-good outcomes of human connection, we have the not-so-warm-and-snuggly reactions that can also result. These can be misunderstandings, conflict, and possibly isolation. Each time we reach out to connect with someone, we risk being misunderstood, creating conflict, and possibly fueling isolation. Some of the famous and best mediators, such as Kofi Annan, Mary Robinson, and Jimmy Carter have overcome obstacles with persistent communication and perseverance. These leaders refused to give up on the plan for peaceful communication and collaboration between all countries of the world.
Human beings, like any living species, can also cause their own problems when connecting. However, we are gifted with the cognitive ability to recognize issues and correct misunderstandings, fueled by an inherent drive to connect, collaborate, and build towards success. By communicating with our world community, the evolution towards higher ground is exciting and inevitable.
I recall Frans de Waals describing a gorilla assisting
a stunned bird first by trying to launch it from a tree. Then protected it from juvenile gorillas until it flew away on its own. “Primates and Philosophers; the evolution of morality” is a great compilation by de Waals.
You present a generous appraisal of cultural differences.
“There is a wide array of religious practices and moral standards that vary across the globe. We learn that there is no one right way.”
Unfortunately, in some African countries old women persist in practicing female genital mutilation with razor blades and thorns on girls in an effort to preserve sexual purity. For those girls who don’t die of infection, coitus and births are very difficult and require more cutting.
Jehovah’s witnesses (JW) refuse lifesaving blood therapies for their children resulting in the legal apprehension of minors. Once they are adults they may decide not to adhere to the JW rules.
Some Muslim men even in the west prohibit male doctors from examining their wives and performing life saving interventions during difficult childbirth.
Unfortunately, there are inalienable universal human rights which are not upheld by all religions and cultures.
Carol, thank you for your sensitive and compassionate comment. I hope with publications like Kaiyros we can educate the world about the importance of diversity and acceptance. It seems that no culture is immune to some cruelties. Your comments will bring some of these to light and hopefully fuel the change.