We all came from the same organic sludge and have clawing and snapping at each other ever since. Survival machines for our particular brand of DNA, we are compelled by nature to be "selfish" and consume as much as we can, yet have the divine ability to overcome our natural, physical natures and be generous, kind and selfless. If you can't tell, I really like Richard Dawkins' concept of the selfish gene and have incorporated it into my Judeo-Christian belief system.

Someday, we will be able to let the past lie still and move on to better things, but I don't see that day coming any time soon. We are so much nicer as individuals than as groups of people. Perhaps if simply shot all of the politicians and lawyers, life would improve immensely. Or, perhaps Adams was right and coming down out of the trees was a big mistake.