โHumans are inherently selfish--" Then why do so many cultures value hospitality, to the point of dictating it in their religions? Why is it so common for hosts to offer their visitors their best food, and as much of it as they can? At some point, multiple cultures decided that they knew what it felt like to be alone and vulnerable, and promised each other to never let those who stay with them feel that way. That doesn't sound very "inherently selfish" to me.
"humans are the plague"
No. Humans are animals as much as the fish and the bear. We are pack animals who have survived by strong bonds and community.
Do not buy the lie that humans are inherently evil. Societies can trick you into believing this, but it's not the truth of humanity.
Humans crave being together, sharing together, and thriving together.
Capitalism just wants you to believe we're destined for selfishness.
This is Shanidar 1, affectionately nicknamed 'Nandy'. He was a Neanderthal living between 60,000 and 45,000 BCE. He was born with deformities in his ears, a withered arm, and paralysed legs. This would've left him almost entirely deaf, unable to use one arm, and with an almost debilitating limp. Not only that, but during his lifetime his left eyesocket sustained a severe fracture, which most likely would've left him completely blind in one eye.
He lived to between 30 and 45. An incredible age for an ancient hominid. This man couldn't have been a 'sTrOnG pRoViDeR mALe' and yet he lived to the Neanderthal equivalent of mid-80s. Why? Because his family must've taken care of him. His broken eye showed signs of healing, and his withered arm was amputated (perhaps one of the earliest examples of surgery). Despite his existence providing no 'logical benefit' he survived. Because he was loved.
Compassion and love are deeply rooted aspects of human existence. Don't let anyone trick you into thinking otherwise.
And to everyone going "Oh, but he probably had other qualities", you're kind of missing the point. Sure, he could have been a storyteller, a philosopher, world's best babysitter, a genius at thinking up dirty jokes - but he could also have been grumpy old uncle Nandy who never really enriched anyone's existence and he still had value as a person.
The first sign of civilization is a healed femur. The first sign of humanity is an old scar. The first sign we were people at all is the grave Of a child Laid to rest as though sleeping With flowers all around.
