An idea for a New Year's resolution and a photo of my grandfather

Banned Histories of Race in America

Happy New Year!

I saw a post the other day about making New Year’s resolutions that were fun or cool or just generally not-so-burdensome. I really like the idea of a resolution that makes life easier in some way, but without having to make and keep appointments. So, in the spirit of a newer New Year than ever, the resolution I recommend is disregarding human nature!

I’m not talking about quitting sleep or not drinking water or anything like that. This isn’t biology talk. I’m talking about the idea. Like, whenever you hear someone present “human nature” as an explanation for certain behaviors or social outcomes, disregard that opinion.

This photo has nothing to do with New Year’s resolutions, but it’s a nice picture of my grandfather and a couple of his friends that I thought you might like. Can you guess which one is my grandfather?

Ninety-nine times out of a hundred “human nature” is used as a thought-terminating cliché excusing and normalizing brutality and bigotry, distracting from the obvious realities we know of our everyday experience.

Also, the concept of “human nature” is unknowable nonsense.

As far as we can tell, human beings in our current form have existed on this earth for just about 300,000 years. Of that 300,000 years, we’ve only been recording history for about 5,000. Now, we know beyond the shadow of a doubt that that particular 5,000 years of history is largely wrong, but for the sake of argument, let’s say it’s not. Let’s say that every history book, podcast and YouTube video are 100% accurate. For the same sake, let’s say that any and/or all of us have the time and capacity to retain every single bit of that 100%-accurate history. If all of that were true—which, again, it absolutely is not—but if it were, then it would still only be possible to know 2% of the history of our species. And that’s rounding up.

Read 2% of a book and make a statement on the author’s intent. Listen to 2% of a song and recite the lyrics. Cook 2% of a recipe and see how you’re feeling after the meal. You would never do these things for obvious reasons, but detailing the immeasurable and constantly fluctuating complexities of countless cultures and societies and individualities constructing value and power and identity in myriad ways, all while each is in concert with a constantly contrasting and ever-changing physical environment? It’s just “human nature”. Don’t worry about it.

I know it’s not as simple as just not doing it. It is a New Year’s resolution, after all. But, the next time you’re encouraged to dismiss something as “human nature,” let it stick in your head for a moment. Consider that “human nature” might not be the answer, that it probably isn’t. And if you’re in a suspicious mood, consider the benefits from your thought stopping there. I can guarantee there aren’t any for you.

Happy New Year!