WHAT MAKES US HUMAN?

     

For all the immense achievements created by mankind through the ages I cannot help but think that the question of "What Makes Us Human?" eludes us.
It is not a simple "It is this" or "It is that" and although the enormity of the question ties my brain in knots I wonder if the fact that I am actually able to think about the question is  what makes us human?

We are continually exploring the complexities of neurology and the mechanics of the human body and how it continues to amaze as it reconnects itself in surprising ways under adversity. We are realizing that our senses constitute layers upon layers of sub-senses, as I can personally testify.
The temptation to embrace the sheer scale of human behaviour becomes complex simply because there are no set patterns or traits that fit all human beings. This year I have been starkly reminded of the extremes we as human beings are capable of; from the horrific death of fellow drummer Lee Rigby to the heart wrenching situation encountered by the parents and community of April Jones. Therefore, the question of what makes us human seems forever distant as I grapple with its complexities.

Globally I am aware that large groups of people are traumatised due to the atrocities of others. The use of force and oppression appears to be the way conflict is resolved in some territories. Is the resolution of these matters mean we require others to apply judgement and is that the essence of what makes us human? Clearly some individuals and governments see the need to make judgement and act upon it; to take the decision away from others under the banner of democracy or dictatorship and put in place a statement of what they think is right or wrong and then use force to implement those decisions.

Debating is another attribute we use to resolve issues from which meal to order to the G8 whereby major discussions are debated to resolve global problems, including starvation, in countries like Africa where millions continue to lack basic needs and yet vast resources are wasted elsewhere. It is hard to consider how or if what it is to be human when we appear to ‘allow’ these things to happen or to expect others to solve the problems.

I ask myself therefore, if the answer is compassion which is demonstrably a key factor within the charity sectors as they strive to fund and provide for improvement and offer hope as a mechanism to ending all manner of misery. Perhaps prayer is the answer, to look to the omnipresence of a super human being to provide resolution and sanctuary from all suffering. Or maybe it is patience. After all, this is the trait I find myself using most of all from waiting in queues at airports or striving to perfect a piece of music.

As a human being I have feelings therefore is this what makes me human? If it is I am presented with a conundrum because I know other species such as cats and dogs clearly have feelings too. Having empathy and sensitivity towards others are essential traits and can make a huge difference to our perception of others. These traits are most notably evident in organisations such as hospitals, hospices and environments where caring is provided. But there are issues with some organisations, individual care homes and hospitals where there appears to be a lack of these traits with devastating effect.

Curiosity also plays a large part in what defines us as human beings and has catapulted researchers into the development of the human body of an unimaginable scale. Possibly redefining what we envisage a human being to be. The science of modern medicine has overcome major challenges providing cures and prosthetic substitutes enabling hope and recovery. Technological advances also play a large part in what makes us human. From the manipulation of human embryos bringing joy to some and concern to others about the ethics of intervention, to the ability to regenerate cells from living specimens, thus enabling life to continue when part or parts of the body are damaged.

This sense of curiosity is my mainstay. I have found other ways to feel and sense sound using my body as a resonating chamber.  I have achieved my hopes and dreams of becoming a musician due to my innate sense of curiosity. I have learned to hear by lip reading and I have learned to use my body to feel sound as if it were a giant ear.

Therefore are hopes and dreams the essence of what makes us human? Or perhaps the key is strength of character and determination, I certainly needed plenty of those traits  along the way. But I also feel being open minded is important because it leads us to information that allows us to make choices and decisions. It also brings about flexibility and the ability to adapt. When I lost my hearing I chose to adapt and integrate myself into a main stream school. From my perspective the choice was to either be labelled as disabled or enable myself to open up a new career as the world's first full time Solo Percussionist – I have never regretted the ability to make choices!

Clearly the answer is complicated. But as I ponder on another  frequently asked question of me - would I be better musician if I had not lost my hearing? - I have no idea, but I do know life begins and ends with listening. Perhaps the fact that I have opened my body to listening in a different way enables me to be more sensitive. In conclusion I feel compassion, patience, inclusion, individuality and social awareness are all forms of social listening and that is what predominately makes us human. By engaging our bodies as a huge ear I wonder if your view would change on what makes us human.

THE END