"Man is a race of monsters inefficiently chained." Brandon Sanderson

"Man is a race of monsters inefficiently chained."  Brandon Sanderson

help in a hurricane

The quote is from a fantasy trilogy, by Brandon Sanderson, in which some people mysteriously develop superpowers and promptly proceed to try to destroy each other and the already dystopian planet in fits of narcissistic rage. The hero and his group try to save it all. Trying to understand why the superheroes, called "epics", become corrupt and choose evil rather than using their powers for good - the hero is told that "man is a race of monsters inefficiently chained".

I began to wonder what the chains were. Religion, Laws, Facts, Nature - all things used to control, unify, and limit human conduct while promoting a civilized society. Also, all things that can be ignored, manipulated, overridden, and polluted, which will result in anarchy and chaos. The presumption seems to be, that at our core, we will not do the "right" thing without force. If left unattended we will scramble for the power to create new controlling chains, become corrupt, and, compete to become the most powerful.  In the process, destroy everything.

My career has always focused on the awful - crime and the things people will do to each other. Today is no exception. Yet, against the backdrop of the Amazon forest fire, the hurricane in the Bahamas, the rise of hate crimes and violence against innocents and "others", and the constant drum beat that there is corruption in the execution of our societal rules -  I have to say this:

Our super power is our basic good nature. It is a quiet power rather than the ability to fly or melt steel. It is an invincible power and present in most of us. However, it must be asserted and exerted through action and collaboration. We can all be kind to others and outnumber the bullies. We can all refuse to purchase tortured dogs from around the world and drive out puppy mills, we can all expose those who would steal and cheat us, and, we can rise up and mentor acts of moral rectitude for our children and those who don't yet know that they possess a super power.

We are a race of philanthropists and altruists who, when, left alone, need no artificial, inefficient chains to do the right thing. We just do it. This is a fact.