It has been said that independence is middle class blasphemy, and that humans are all dependent on one another (–Bernard Shaw). Each and every day, one can whiteness some sort of advertisement or public viewing promoting self-reliance. Whether it be one person discussing their own “personal strive to glory” (or so they would believe), or another speaking of success being related to independence. It would seem as though dependence on others has become viewed as a weakness among society, when in fact, it is a natural human strength. What these “independent” people fail to realize, is that without others, no one would be successful, or even adequately happy for that matter. Every person on this planet, in some way or another, is reliant on others, despite any other belief.

On television, on the radio, on billboards, computers, and clothing; In a magazine, in a book, in a newspaper; These are day to day advertisements that place positive values on self-independence. But how can any one person be truly independent? When a mother lion has four starving cubs, she is forced to make a decision; Either she will hunt, and hopefully kill, to feed her cubs, or she will let them starve and hope that they will hunt for themselves and gain experience. Either way, these cubs are dependent on their mother’s decision. At the same time, should the mother chose to hunt for her cubs, she would then be dependent on the kill to feed her and her offspring. But look deeper then that. The kill, whether it be some large herbivore, or a simple rabbit, was at one point dependent on the food which it ate, the habitat in which it thrived, and the predators which had previously failed to capture it, giving it experience in the art of escape. It’s a consistent cycle in which every natural creature must follow; And human beings are not exempt.

Take the wealthy business man who claims to have gained his success without the help of others, exclaiming that he struggled and strived to get the lifestyle he currently lives. In his mind, he did not get help from others, nor was he even offered help from those around him during his quest for success. Simply put, he became rich on his own. What this millionaire does not see, are the thousands of people who either influenced, taught, or led him throughout his life, starting with his family. Another important aspect to bring attention to is the people whom he has made his fortune off of. Those who purchased his goods, or paid for his services. Or how about those who inspired him to keep pushing, to always look ahead and achieve what he desired to be accomplished. Simply put, he did not become rich on his own.

It is my belief that people are too self-prided to admit that they need help, and too egotistical to admit that they are dependent on others in some way, shape or form. The examples above illustrate the basic foundation of interdependence and, how the denial of interdependence, are fabricated by one’s own mind. Morally speaking, we need each other; Socially speaking, we have each other; But for some reason, economically and politically speaking, we are alone, “destined to fulfill our dreams without guidance or assistance from others”. These beliefs are the fault in mankind; the error in human civilization. Humans are jelly, breaking apart under pressure, and making a mess everywhere; What we need is the peanut-butter, strong and full of endurance. In a world where human interdependence is peanut-butter, we are still missing the bread, the realization of what is important.

Generally speaking, humans must find a way to admit, extract, and externally secure this “human-pride” which so many of us have attained through society. No longer should people believe that they accomplished something entirely on their own. They must realize and figure every person involved, as well as give them recognition in a proper manner. When this “superior race” (or as so many believe) is logically competent enough to accept all other members, of that same race, as someone they can trust, then truly, we will have mastered civilization, and we will live with our superior interdependence.