Think about a group of friends that have been through tough times together. If they've been friends a long time, you would think they'd remain so after a tragedy. Consider it further and you'll realize that's conjecture. There's a logic to it certainly, but the opposite could be true.
What if the event is so painful, that seeing your friends brings unwanted memories? What if you weren't satisfied, with the way they handled the situation? What if you feel guilty about what you took part in? Finally, think about what you hide from your friends, and what you would do if they knew it already.
They say that some people never change, but don't believe what they say. I think we change a little, every single day. If you've had a friend for fifteen years, you've seen change whether you realize it or not. The relationship hinges on acceptance of those changes, and if that doesn't happen you will grow apart.
Classic Movie Trailers - Deliverance (1972)
It's been a while since I've heard anything about nature vs. nurture, and I think people got tired of talking about it. When internet trolls can't bait flame wars, things tend to die off. In the past, I found the debate to be fascinating, and I wouldn't mind if people argued it forever. Currently though my mind is made up; the environment makes us who we are.
Of course, there are immutable characteristics that we all have to live with; race and age are examples of things that are simply results of birth. With discipline, you can alter your weight, strength and physical abilities. You can increase your intelligence and even change your gender, but you can't leave your genetic code.
Even with that in mind, nurture is more important. In fact, I would argue that it's the most powerful. I will grant, that nature is the blueprint of our identities. It determines how we begin, but surroundings lead us to where we'll end up.
Let's take a look at John Doe for a moment. Let's say he grew up with both parents in the lap of luxury. Every opportunity was given to Sir John, so he quickly chose a trade and learned to generate wealth. His independence and success in the later years of his life, can be attributed to how and where he was raised.
Additionally, there are characteristics present or absent, wholly because of nurture. If his birthplace demanded that he kill or be killed, John's life would be different. Not only would his actions be much more aggressive, but his temperament would have to allow for that. If John was physically abused by his father growing up, every relationship that followed could be negatively affected.
Anyone can be a prince or a pauper in life. Everyone has the propensity for violence and the capacity for humanitarianism. The environment takes the raw clay of the infant child, and molds him into the person that he will become. It’s also important to note that when we are adults, nurture has a powerful influence nature can't contend with.
Let's say that a group of people go canoeing. They start the trip with a lifetime of experience, that has shaped them as human beings. By the end, each person could be unrecognizable. They could lose their sanity or even their lives.
Had they never met the trials faced at that event, the future of each person would have followed a natural course. Instead, the outcome of just a few incidents, could make or break their bonds in half. You see, we are who we are because we're allowed to be so. Identity is more tenuous than others would have you believe.
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See "Deliverance" on Netflix!
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The blog returns August 1st with a look at: "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial"
