For humankind, courageous understanding is always the path forward.

Every day, despite our world’s countless political and societal rifts, fresh new waves of people recognize that such disunity is not only unhelpful, but enormously destructive — and that humanity’s real, enduring progress stems almost entirely from inclusive good will; if not inclusion, then at least cooperation.

Accordingly, because expanding this awareness is essential for a safer, healthier and more prosperous tomorrow, I beg you to read on.

Since the beginning of humankind, scarcity — i.e., “not enough” (not enough food, territory, protection, jobs, status or whatever) — remains our species’ greatest concern. Like fear of the unfamiliar, this deeply instinctive, constant and at least partly (often entirely) subconscious worry exists within everyone, independent of nationality, race, gender, wealth, politics, religion, etc.

Humanity’s two main responses to the threat of not enough, however, couldn’t be more distinct. On one hand, scarcity has always been the basis of conflict: “others” compete with/jeopardize “me/my tribe.” “Others,” then, are adversaries who must be weakened, repelled, even destroyed.

Which “others”? Per evolution, “different” others, of course, who, by whatever their differences, are seen as less worthy, less valuable, even less human than “we” are; the greater this perceived unlikeness, the greater the intolerance, aggression and injustice. (For specific examples, look no further than our own country’s tortured history — and current attitudes — regarding race, class, women’s rights and immigration.)

Even worse, countless immoral, well-connected, often malevolent entities (chasing profit and power) work unceasingly to manipulate the unaware. In fact, stoking tribalism — to better control/con a target group — is likely as old as humanity itself. Regardless of where on the planet one lives, and no matter how rich or poor a person/place may be, know that the effects of tribal self-interest are division, hostility and loss — during which power, money and privilege drain ever more skyward.

Fortunately, conflict is not our only option. Collaboration — humankind’s other typical response to scarcity — has (ironically) forever been the precursor of peace, and for our species’ universal advancement. Based on Christ-like compassion and empathy, plus the God-given, unalienable, equal humanity of all, mutually beneficial understanding and cooperation continue to be the cornerstones our triumphs and progress.

Correspondingly, it is crucial for all of us to recognize that intolerance of innate differences, particularly when combined with entitlement and repression, is not just the main source of humanity’s strife and suffering, but also the ultimate enemy of solutions. Plus, because of the interconnected, inseparable nature of all living things, harm to one is harm to all, while subverting others is simply harm to oneself.

Despite humankind’s seemingly limitless appetite for conflict, be motivated knowing that a much brighter future is well within our reach. Imagine, for instance, what a vastly different world (and world history) we would have if the time and resources spent undermining, fighting and even destroying each other were instead spent collaboratively addressing our fears and challenges. Doesn’t this seem like a vision worth uniting around?

To truly unleash humanity’s enormous problem-solving capacity — in other words, its potential for massive, ever-increasing benefit to everyone — we need only let go of our self-interested, self-destructive (too often self-righteous) habits and attitudes. Instead of endless “us/ them” prejudice and disintegration, see your role in humankind’s evolution as part of a forever-expanding bucket brigade, conveying gradual, continuous, enduring gains for all.

Tribal self-interest, conflict and decline — or unity and universal advancement? For everyone’s sake — including your own — please help grow those waves of inclusive good will.

Jeremy Fryberger is an architect in Ketchum, Idaho, whose avocation is “working to create a better future for all of us.”

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