Caring and Civilization

   I've been thinking about Margaret Mead a lot lately, not because I now much about her or her work, but because I happened to catch a small part of an old interview with her on NPR a few weeks ago. During a discussion of anthropology, she told about being asked, "What is the oldest discovery which indicates the beginning of civilization?" She said her answer often surprised people. They expected her to talk about a shard of pottery or some other man-made creation. Instead, she told them it was a broken human femur that had healed. She explained that when animals break a bone they die in place, either by starvation or because they are unable to run away from a predator. For a human to survive a broken bone long enough for it to heal, another human had to care enough to carry the injured person to safety, and then bring him food during the long process of healing following the break.

   Caring is the basis of civilization. It is the very basic reason groups of people begin to form. This caring for others leads to innovations like farming and trade, but it begins with care. Civilization is defined in a variety of ways: the most advanced stage of human social and cultural development and organization; or a high level of social, cultural, scientific, and technological advancement. Definitions can vary by who is using the word. Professional Anthropologist and Sociologists think of civilization in one way, while others may have another point of view. Many people think of civilizations as societies that share a specific set of moral values like compassion for the sick, disabled, and elderly - the weakest members of a society. They believe in human rights such as freedom from slavery, freedom from physical, emotional, mental and verbal abuse, and access to health care. It seems to me Margaret Mead's observation brings all these views together.

  Cultures all around the world can be judged by the level of care they provide one another. When regions face poverty, drought, and starvation; or feel threatened by others in some way, they may become violent as each individual fights for survival. We think of them as uncivilized because they don't seem to care about anyone but themselves.

   Governments can also be judged by the level of care they provide their citizens. What does it say about a government that is unprepared to care for its citizens in a crisis; that has no plan in place to provide healthcare for all; and even promotes a sense of chaos with conflicting messages on how to protect each other during a health pandemic? 

   During the COVID-19 crisis, I have been heartened to see the way segments of our society have reached out to help and care for others. My life has been made less stressful because local grocery stores have allocated special hours for those of us over age 60 to do our shopping. With fewer people in the store I can reduce my exposure to the virus and thereby reduce my low-immunity husband's exposure. When I can find an available delivery time, our online grocery delivery sends truck drivers who deliver to my door.  Our postal system and UPS have been delivering my online orders of food and indoor growing systems for food. I can't thank these people enough. The grocery store workers who stock the shelves, and the cashiers who continue to work with the public while risking exposure to themselves; and the truck drivers who have always kept our economy going are finally being recognized for the important work they do. I hope we as a society take another look at the minimum wage when this is all over, and find a way to reward these essential workers.

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The Pringle Plan is a series of educational guides. 

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