Dancing to your DNA

Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe. – Albert Einstein, theoretical physicist

We are tethered to the wretched earthly bonds, bondages and boundaries giving us the illusion of existence with the aid of the five physical senses. That’s that part of you that showcases your true nature emanating from your inner core as it were. The real you that dances to your DNA – inescapable and inevitable, frequently embarrassing, periodically brilliant, and usually meaningless.

A wise Eastern sage quipped that we are three persons (masks): what we want others to think we are, what others think we are, and the real you that faithfully fulfils your earthbound duty by dancing to your DNA. Mark Twain observed that “everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.” That is, until some courageous and inquisitive explorer decides to venture there to his utter regret and disappointment.

The likes of Caligula, Stalin, Hitler, Pol Pot, and many other political freaks of nature danced vigorously to their DNA with sadistic delight. Imagine what their ancestors danced to! And then, predictably, everyone blames the Creator for what was wrought in the creature or in the grand design of creation.

Incidentally, there is that deadly devious DNA dance to parliamentary democracy, authoritarian or totalitarian democracy, guided democracy, republicanism, fascism, socialism, communism – all of which dance only to the DNA of capitalism.

Steven Pinker, one of the iconic thinkers of the times, refers to this phenomenon in evolutionary psychology. Every era creates and sustains a particular sense of identity to a specific set of questionable values and beliefs. The hippies of the 60’s, for example, redefined politics and culture as did the Nazis in Germany and the Fascists in Italy during WW2. Malaysians, too served time since 1957 dancing to a baffling political DNA which has hopefully evolved post-GE15.

https://www.newsarawaktribune.com.my/dancing-to-your-dna/