Why do we need to work so hard just to have access to food, nice place to sleep, mating and defence?

Question

Why do we need to work so hard just to have access to food, nice place to sleep, mating and defence? When all these facilities are freely available for lower animals.

Answer 1

I love this question. It's something I've thought about a lot. I think 1 me and curious cat are on to the right track.

1 me said: "Because most people have a desire to have more food, a better pad, more desirable mates and more effective defense than the next person."

curious cat said: "I think most of us are capable of these without hard work, it's just that people are not satisfied with the simple things in life and always compare themselves with others and their possessions."

The survival basics like food and shelter really don't cost that much if you think about it. What's expensive is SOCIAL IDENTITY. We don't just want shelter, we want NICE shelter. Shelter that doesn't embarrass us, shelter that is socially acceptable, shelter that impresses others. We don't just want a car, we want a NICE car that gives us social status - or at least doesn't diminish it.

If any of us really wanted to, we could live like Thoreau. We could build the barest kind of shelter, live off the land, etc. Or even just live in cheaper housing. It's possible to survive without having to work hard. The thing is, we don't want that. It doesn't give us an attractive personal identity. We work hard to meet SOCIAL pressures, not to meet our basic survival needs.

For anyone who's interested in this line of thinking, I recommend:

Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez
http://www.amazon.com/Your-Money-Life-Transforming-Relationship/dp/0140286780

Voluntary Simplicity by Duane Elgin
http://www.amazon.com/Voluntary-Simplicity-Revised-Outwardly-Inwardly/dp/0688121195

Less is More: An Anthology... In Praise of Simplicity
http://www.amazon.com/Less-More-Anthology-Ancient-Simplicity/dp/089281554X

Walden by Thoreau
http://www.amazon.com/Walden-Woods-Dover-Thrift-Editions/dp/0486284956

Answer 2

Well know one says you have to, you could go live in the Jungle and try and survive if you want but thats unlikly right because then you would either get eaten to these so called lower animals or starve to death so if you want to eat & a roof over your head etc then you had better work its getting much worse then what it use to be now there is so much crap to buy.Everyone wants money living is so expensive.We are animals too just slightly more intellegent we can think more complex have ideas hence all the buildings & technology (but who is to say thats a good thing?) its all our own fault the way the world is today its how man has evolved don't be jelous of animals after all how are they lower? seems they have got it all do they work? do they have to put up with such human nonsense? No, do they kill for the sake of killing? etc etc

Answer 3

Because most people have a desire to have more food, a better pad, more desirable mates and more effective defense than the next person. Deep down, we're selfish. At the core of the mind is irrational monster that says "My life is more important than your life. My God is better than your God. My idea of 'right' is right, and your idea of 'right' is wrong." If we could purge ourselves of this inner monster, maybe we could finally see each other as equals, all deserving of life, health, safety and happiness, and realize that the earth is fruitful enough to provide for everyone. If we didn't need to have t-bone steak, then everyone could have hamburger. Know what I mean?

But I don't see that happening anytime soon. I have come to terms with the conclusion that I will not see mankind overcome the inner monster in my lifetime.

Answer 4

We are wildly dependant on a social structure, compared to animals. That's how we keep our sanity, health, life span, and well-being, which you can't guarantee in the wild.

But there's no great need that 80% of the wealth be controlled by 20% of the population; the wealth distrubution on this planet is out of control.

I'm not even against people being rich -- but having multiple billions is excessive.

Answer 5

If no one worked there would be no one harvesting the food and no one to build the house you live in. Who is going to defend you while you are sitting around if, everyone else is doing the same thing as you? It is just how it works when you are an intelligent life form and not an animal.

Answer 6

I think most of us are capable of these without hard work, it's just that people are not satisfied with the simple things in life and always compare themselves with others and their possessions.

I have a well paying job and a decent house. but I feel we where happier in ourselves when we had little money and just had each other. If only we could all let go of the need for material things.

Answer 7

Could be government does not care enough about it's people? Maybe it is just selfish people who have it but do not want to share it. Capitalism? Either way, it makes me sick the way some people behave regarding there material things.
The system is not working. I have very little becuase I give to much away. Some would think that I was jipped, taken advantage of or ripped off for many of my meterial things but I personally do not care. All I ever wanted is the love of a women but ever since Madanna came out with that damn hit song "material girl", my hopes have diminished.
What's does a healthy atractive man do to get a family in this society with little money? I have never had a problem providing for myself and I have not had to screw someone else to get what I want. I live a dignified and respectful life but still not enough for a good women. It is a battle of good and evil. Spiritual and meterial. It is redicuolous to see people seek money more than love. I hurt every day knowing I have lived my life so alone and will dye this way becuase of the things put in peoples heads they think they need other than love and affection. America is incredible place to live with money being handed out hand over fist yet there is to much worry and untrust becuase of money. You and I can have anything we want in this American society if we want except, the love of a women with out the money. Some how they do not realize the motivation and drive a man get's from having a women/lady by his side!
But the answer to your question is....we don't have to work hard for the things you mention!!! It just depends on what you are willing to settle for. You want food? You can go to the local food bank or soup kitchen. Some I have met go town to town so get more food visiting each soup kitchen in there area.
Bording houses take people in and let them live for free or very little money! How hard is that? Mating? You have it in your head you must procreate but it is really not true! You can sustain from sex if you are strong headed and not persuaded by the media, society and peers. It is like the old saying "ignorance is bliss" meaning ... if you did not know about it, you would not crave it. But sex is put in your head by public displays of affection and movies as a child. As far as defense, we do not need it. Some people think there life is worth to much more than the next guy's so they fight. We are only flesh and blood! Toxics can kill us. A hole through your body can kill us! We are a fragile being! There is no reason to fear death and that is why people THINK we need defense. Look up the word forsade ( if I spelled that right)?
It is all a forsade! Mind cotrol through channels we are so ignorant of. Reality is hard to see for some people but if you choose to live in it, society will make life very difficult for you as it has for me. Live in la la land liike they rest of this world and everything will be aright! Row row row your boat gently down the stream merrily merrily merrily life is but a dream! Remmember that when you was a kid? Just one example of how people are controled in to thinking. Well,
Hope that gives you a better understanding of it all. I hope you choose to live in reality and help the world as opposed to hurt it like so many do. Maybe you will get lucky and get rich doing the right thing hrough your life! It is only the quality of life you might sufffer if you choose to not worry about all that food nice place mating and defense! Take care of yourself!

Answer 8

Do you really work that hard. My guess is you don't It has been
my experiance that people who complain about how hard they
work generally don't.

As a matter of fact they usually work harder trying to get out of it
then they would if they actually did the work.

Answer 9

The answer is that those animals DO work VERY HARD for their food, etc.

By free, you mean without paying $ for it. But the human system of commerce actually makes our lives easier, not harder (imho)

Answer 10

It should be easy, but when you consider animals live off the land, they don't need homes, M&S food or a soulmate.

Hope this makes you feel better.