Well now, this here's a mighty interesting piece of writin' you've got for me. It's got some good points, some deep thinkin', and even a bit of that "why bother" attitude folks sometimes get.
On Bein' Better
"Cute. Shallow." – That's a mighty quick way to sum somethin' up, ain't it? But then you go right into how folks can strive to be better, and how that's just plain socially logical. And you're right, we do live in societies, and we gotta get along.
You ask why it's logical, and then you answer it yourself. It's about being part of this collective of humans on this one planet. What one person does, it can sure enough ripple out and affect everyone else. If we all pitched in and thought about the big picture, well, I reckon things would mend up a lot faster. When folks just take from the world and don't feel the need to put somethin' back, that's where things get a bit slow and bumpy, like a wagon on a rocky road.
So, it's mighty logical to have ideals and try to be a better person. It just makes good sense.
The Power of Good
You hit the nail on the head when you talk about how bad news travels faster than good. But folks, they get tired of all that negativity, don't they? They crave a good story, a little somethin' to lift their spirits. That means a single good turn can have a bigger splash than all the bad vibes put together. And that's why, even with all the trouble in the world, things generally lean towards gettin' better.
You see, peace and prosperity are always tryin' to nudge out war, poverty, and crime. And that's 'cause folks, deep down, they appreciate a good deed more than a bad one. It's just the way we're wired, I reckon.
Two Ways of Lookin' at It
Now, you got two views here, and both of 'em ring true in different folks.
The immature, poorly informed view: "Who gives a flock? Nothing really matters." Well, bless their hearts, they might think that, but it's a lonesome way to go through life.
Then you got the mature, well-informed view: "Doing good is worthwhile. It really matters, and the resultant endorphins lead to a long happy life." And you bring up President Jimmy Carter. Now there's a man who's lived a life of service, and look at him, still goin' strong. That just goes to show you, don't it? Bein' good ain't just good for others, it's good for your own soul too.
So, what do you reckon? Does puttin' a little good out into the world make a difference to you?
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