The primary conflict in the world today – and for the past 6,000 years – isn’t political, economic, or social. It revolves around one simple dichotomy: Admiration vs. Envy.
If someone tells you about a success they had, do you want to applaud them, and try to emulate them? Or do you feel diminished and envious of their success? Do you find reasons why the successful person is “privileged” and “racist”, or do you feel inspired (even if you DON’T want to emulate them)?
This is really the fundamental issue humanity has faced over the millennia, for it exemplifies the contrast between good and evil, of tolerance vs hatred. The diminished person feels hatred toward the successful person and wants to tear him or her down. Sadly, this hatred is self-imposed. It is self-hatred.
This is precisely what is happening in the US right now. Self-Diminished persons riot, tear down, loot, and steal. Some of this is simply honest frustration and should be tolerated. Social justice is an admirable cause. But when violence and hatred are involved it’s self-defeating and results in chaos and anarchy.
Here’s a little video I found. It’s called the Israel Test. Israel is pilloried by folks in the media who use success to foment hatred. This is what nazis, fascists, and communists do. It’s no accident that tyrannical states hate Israel. On far-right and far-left message boards, hatred of Israel and Jews is commonplace.
Passing the test
See if you can pass the Israel Test. Passing is simply getting through the 4:37 vid without turning it off before the end. Notice I didn’t say that failing the test is getting pissed off, screaming that the narrator is full of shit, or calling the Israeli embassy and giving them a piece of your mind. You don’t have to believe a word of it if you don’t want to. To pass, all you have to do is get through the vid until the end. As you’re doing so, examine your thoughts and feelings regarding success and failure: your own, and others. This exercise will tell you more about yourself. It might also tell you about the social and political programming we all live within.
Take the test, I dare you.