Humanity as a Rhizome, the Original Plan?
Dear Nyaaba,
One of the most troubling characteristics of humanity today is its penchant for working at cross-purposes with its own logical interest. While we all crave peace, we are daily at war. While we know we are but one and the same race, the human race, we continue to alienate ourselves by evoking ludicrous differences amongst ourselves and thereby engender contra-positioning.
We claim to be the most intelligent in the “animal kingdom” yet it is us alone who are actively killing our habitat and endangering our very existence. These contradictions continue to lead thinkers to concern themselves with what the best modus operandi is, to wit, what is the most sustainable form of behaviour that humanity can practice that will inure to our benefit.
In my search, I happened on the concept of a rhizome, which appeared to me as a reasonable framework upon which humanity should fashion our existence. The term “rhizome” is a concept from botany and philosophy that represents a root structure with no central root, growing in various directions with interconnected nodes. In philosophy, it symbolizes non-hierarchical, decentralized systems where ideas or connections branch out unpredictably and are interwoven, much like human societies or networks. Introduced by philosophers Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari, the rhizome challenges linear, tree-like structures of thought, emphasizing fluidity, interconnectedness, and diversity rather than a singular origin or hierarchy.
The concept of humanity as a rhizome, borrowed from philosophy, suggests a non-hierarchical, interconnected network where every part influences and is influenced by the whole. Unlike a traditional tree structure with a singular, rooted origin, a rhizome has multiple, decentralized points of growth and connection, symbolizing the dynamic and interwoven nature of human societies, beliefs, and behaviors.
Humanity, by this rhizomatic structure, grows not in straight lines but in unpredictable, branching patterns, encompassing diverse cultures, ideologies, and pursuits. This rich diversity is its strength, but it is also the source of a profound paradox: humanity often works against its own internal logic, pursuing goals that seem opposed to its fundamental needs for survival, cooperation, and balance. For example, we collectively seek peace, prosperity, and sustainability, yet conflicts persist, economic disparities widen, and environmental degradation threatens future generations.
One reason for this contradiction is the interplay between individual and collective drives. At times, individual desires or specific group interests, such as the pursuit of power or economic gain, overpower communal well-being. This results in decisions and actions that disregard or harm the larger ecosystem of humanity. For instance, in the pursuit of industrial progress, many societies have sacrificed environmental health, prioritizing immediate gains over long-term sustainability. Here, the rhizomatic network is fractured, as parts of humanity work at cross-purposes, striving for advancement in ways that undermine the collective.
Furthermore, humanity’s internal logic is grounded in a blend of rationality and emotion, cooperation and competition. This dual nature creates internal conflict: we are social beings with a deep-seated need for connection, yet our competitive instincts sometimes lead to exclusion or hostility. Global issues like climate change or the refugee crisis require unified action, yet humanity remains fragmented by borders, politics, and differing ideologies, creating an ever-expanding gap between intention and outcome.
However, the rhizome offers hope. Just as a rhizome can grow anew from different points, humanity has the potential to regenerate and reconnect. Through dialogue, cultural exchange, and empathy, societies can bridge divides and realign with their underlying logic, mutual survival and harmony within diversity. The work of reconciliation, environmental care, and social justice reflects humanity’s potential to align its myriad purposes with its deepest values.
In embracing our rhizomatic nature, humanity can move closer to a reality where our growth patterns, though divergent, support the network as a whole, achieving a balance between individual pursuits and collective goals. This vision challenges us to transform our contradictions into complementary forces, creating a thriving, interconnected humanity that works not at cross-purposes but in harmonious resonance.
Dear Nyaaba, i sincerely hope that this helps us your descendants in our perennial search for a better way to go about our lives.
Your descendant,
The Honourrebel Siriguboy
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