Years ago, anthropologist Margaret Mead was asked by a student
posted March 23rd, 2020 at 10:19 PM
what she considered the first sign of civilization in a culture.
The student expected Mead to talk about fish hooks or clay pots
or grinding stones.
But no, Mead said that the first sign of civilization in an ancient culture
was a femur (thighbone) that had been broken then healed. Mead explained, that in the animal kingdom, if you break your leg, you die. You can not run from danger, get to the river for a drink or hunt food. You are meat for prowling beasts. No animal survives a broken leg long enough for the bone to heal.
A broken femur that has healed is proof that someone has taken time to stay with the person who has fell, has bound up the wound, has carried the person to safety and has tended the person through recovery. ‘Helping someone through difficulty is where civilization starts’ said Mead.
We are at our best when we serve others. Be civilized.”
- by Dr. Ira Byock, in his book on palliative medicine The Best Care Possible: A Physician’s Quest to Transform Care Through the End of Life (Avery, 2012).
9 Comments
Post a Commentthank you!
Mar 23, 2020 at 11:14pm
thank you for taking the time to share this!
Yes !
Mar 24, 2020 at 4:59am
This is the very obvious same crisis of consciousness (or lack thereof) we the human race now face in these very challenging times of the virus plague. We as a people now need to make the proper choices to evolve to a more compassionate society. Its beyond the superficial political dualities. The old-time Indigenous say: "It takes a right wing and a left wing for the Eagle to fly but without a heart the bird is soon dead." .......................... Walk good sisters and brothers.
What a wonderful post
Mar 24, 2020 at 6:38am
Food for thought.
Timely thank you
Mar 24, 2020 at 9:08am
I SO needed to read something like that. Thank you for putting that in perspective.
I should mention that I've offered my help to everyone around me, even the ones who don't live here because I can mail them things if they need it. But NO ONE has offered me any support or help.
Im shocked
Mar 24, 2020 at 9:19am
That such a thoughtful and intelligent post made it past the moderators. Well, the day is young and it will prob get deleted.
Thanks so much
Mar 24, 2020 at 10:47am
For posting these incredible words.
Genuinely improved the quality of my day.
adding my gratitude
Mar 24, 2020 at 2:03pm
Yes, thanks for taking the time to share this.
"There was a man/woman who gave so much
Mar 24, 2020 at 6:13pm
They called him/her mad. But the more she/he gave; the more she/he had" (Pilgrim's Progress - Paul Bunyan)
"Live for yourself; you will live in vain; Live for others; you will live again" (From the song 'Pass it On' - Bob Marley)
Beatriz Balmes Arceo
Mar 30, 2020 at 5:05am
Take care of the people next to us... Thanks for your comentary
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