The desire to make humans different than they are — why?

No sin, only wisdom and foolishness

too much of modern philosophy deals with notions of virtue and vice. Or notions of sin.

However, a better way to think about it is about wisdom and foolishness. in other words, seek to become more wise, and become less foolish.

Why are we trying to change human nature?

I think a better strategy is to strive to understand human nature, and exploit it for the better.

For example, it does seem that there is a human desire for greed and more. For example, people will still keep buying Nike sneakers for the end of time. But I think this notion of “eco-conscious“ consumerism is actually a good one. If NIKE is really able to successfully recycle old product and make the new again, perhaps humans can continue to indulge their capitalistic and consumerist desires, without causing earth death.

The genius of Elon musk and Tesla

The funny thing about people who justify buying Tesla cars: they say it is good for the environment in the planet. What they don’t say: they love the style, and they want to be perceived as superior and different.

Tesla was the first sexy and desirable electric car. truth be told, nobody really loves the styling of the Prius, although it is a great and hugely practical car.

Perhaps the next really successful Lamborghini product will be an all electric SUV. Why? Because the Uber rich will be able to justify their purchasing behavior, without feeling bad.

Thoughts on gender and sex

Gender is socially constructed, whereas sex is biologically determined. for example, notions of gender manliness and womanliness and masculine and feminine have changed over time, and are different in different social contexts and countries.

For example, in South Korea it is more desirable for men to look more feminine: with make up, slender bodies, and soft demeanors. This is seen as more manly. And funny enough: in South Korea the men like the notion of a “sassy girl“. South Korean men want their women to be outspoken, and bossy.

Porn in America versus porn in Japan

Something very interesting I’ve noticed about porn differences in the west and in Japan is this: Japanese porn is about having men as passive receivers of sex from passive Japanese women. Whereas in America, the trend is towards more hard-core style where the man is the one in control and the woman is the one receiving but also very raunchy and aggressive.

For example, in America there are famous male porn stars. But Japan, there are none. Japanese men and porn are anonymized. In America, the male porn star is a massive hugely muscular man, with a massive member. Whereas in Japan, the men are skinny, not so manly looking.

So I think on this basic observation, we could see that gender differences of masculinity and femininity are vastly different based on what society you’re in.

Thoughts on sex

I do believe that genetically there are some men and some women who are born either gay, lesbian, bisexual, or something else.

I also do believe that regardless of whatever gender or sex you proclaim for yourself, society should be maximally tolerant of that.

However, what I don’t agree with is societal pressures for one gender or sex to become something else.

For example, nobody is allowed to be aggressive anymore. Men are not allowed to be aggressive anymore, and while society generally looks down on aggressive women, it does seem that at least in business books, the trend is for women to become more aggressive and masculine.

Truth be told, it is a hard fact that men are genetically endowed with more testosterone than women. and also that women have more estrogen than men.

Why do we deny hormones?

I think it is the individualistic American notion that we don’t like the ideas that our our hormones affect us either overtly or subconsciously. But they do.

For example, a woman who is either about to have her period or is currently experiencing her period will have a vastly different hormonal structure than a woman without. therefore it seems that the wise thing for us the society is if you know that a woman is going through certain hormonal shifts determines recycle, society should accommodate.

Similarly speaking, the emotions of a woman who is pregnant is certainly different than the emotions of a woman when she’s not pregnant. We must acknowledge this, accept it, and accommodate for this.

Why are the seven deadly sins seen as sins?

What if our sins were in fact our greatest virtues, but just not harnessed in the right way? therefore, rather than trying to get rid of our vices, perhaps we should channel our vices into something positive.

For example, I think it is unwise for society to ban fire on account for the fact that you could use fire to burn down peoples homes. The upside of utilizing fire to warm our homes vastly outweighs the negatives.

Or for example, society typically sees porn as a vice. But I wonder if porn has prevented many a young person from getting STDs or unwanted pregnancies.

Seek to understand human nature rather than change it

It seems like a good idea for the philosopher and sociologist to strive to understand human nature, without desiring to change it. because in fact, maybe what makes us evil is maybe what makes us good.