The summer has come, and it has become so hot in my area this year! I am half-melted by this heat. Today, I will talk lightly and freely about climate change and our lifestyles.
How to stay away from social values
Sometimes, we want to live peacefully without being influenced by social values.
Many social values could stress us because they don’t suit us, especially if we are the personality minority, such as empathic and creative people. The majority value patience, obeying orders without judging oneself, repeating the same stressful thing without thinking of improving, ignoring others’ emotions, being a part of the organization, or living only in the present without thinking about the future. They never fit our nature.
That is why we want a peaceful life away from social values.
However, we often cannot stay away from social values due to common sense. We cannot doubt common sense until we have a counterexample.
In such a case, the historical perspective might help us. It will free us from social common sense and allow us to act according to our will.
Hot summer days and climate change
By the way, recently, I experienced temperatures above my body temperature for the first time. Now, I live in an area that is neither too hot nor too cold. Summer temperatures usually don’t exceed body temperature.
However, I first experienced it this summer. I understood how much physical exhaustion it can take.
I am trying to find a new lifestyle to adapt to this heat. I want to find out how to sleep comfortably at night without air conditioning, including adapting the body to the heat.
Climate change and historical perspective
Although many people say it is an abnormal climate change, perhaps climate change is the norm from a historical perspective. Although a stable climate is common sense for people now, historical perspective tells us it is a short-term judgment.
For example, the earth has frozen several times to the equator in glacial periods. We live in a highly variable environment.
Major climate changes have occurred even in human history. Humans split from apes about 5,000,000 years ago.
For example, 100,000 years ago, glaciers covered the Northern Hemisphere during the glacial period. 20,000 years ago, the sea level was 130 meters below what it is now. During that period, the Bering Strait, which now divides the United States and Russia, was a land connection. China and Taiwan also had land connections. Southeast Asian islands were also part of a continent.
We humans live in such a changing environment.
The way of life of the majority and the minority
However, the majority of people quickly forget about the change after a short-term stability. Then, they come to believe that stability is the norm and will last forever.
We can find such a tendency in the financial market, too. Many people have forgotten the changing history, even though it was only 10–20 years ago. They come to believe that stocks or real estate will continue to rise forever. That makes people greedy and causes a market collapse.
Perhaps empathic and creative people are active in those changing periods. In other words, we can foresee those changes and prepare for them.
That tells us we don’t have to be impatient with results or achievements during a stable period. In this stable period, we don’t have to force ourselves to help others because it is a time of happiness for the majority. They are fulfilled, even if they complain about their surroundings and pretend to be victims.
Historical perspective that tells us our way of life
In other words, historical perspective teaches us our way of life. During a turbulent period, the majority cannot complain or pretend to be victims because they cannot afford to do so. Imagine that many people are suffering, but all they can do is despair. Their lack of creativity makes them do so.
That will be the time to show our empathy and creativity.
On the other hand, during a stable period, we can think that society is still peaceful, even if people constantly complain. That allows us to ignore them.
We have to neither represent society nor live like the majority during a stable period. Historical perspective frees us from the common sense of the majority.
The attitude toward recent climate change is part of it. Changes are natural from a historical perspective. That allows us to find a new lifestyle to adapt to the hot summer and enjoy it.
Sometimes, we can find opportunities by noticing the cycle of change. That might give us abundance.
Conclusion
The historical perspective frees us from social common sense and allows us to act according to our will.
This perspective might help us make progress in our lives.
Thank you for reading this article. I hope to see you in the next one.
