To Boldly Go Where No Man Has Gone Before...Or Not?

In response to Griffin Thayer's question, "Why do humans tend to focus on the dangers of the unknown and not on the possible benefits?"...

     It seems to be within human nature to worry. Early in our existence, humans worried about getting adequate food, shelter, and water. Hundreds of years ago, they worried about the supernatural, whether that be the gods in the skies, the world beyond their seashores with its potentially dangerous creatures, or what happens once you perished. Today, humans are still concerned with much the same things, but we have seemed to evolve to worry more about finding love, avoiding rejection, and fitting in with the rest of society. But, it is impossible to deny that throughout all of the phases of human existence, people have worried about the unknown, and it is often the greatest fear that some people have. The word "worry" implies that they had negative feelings towards their uncertain futures, and as Griffin asked, why do humans not find pleasure in the unexplained? Perhaps it is because for some reason, it seems to be easier to feel badly than to feel happy. Why is this? That is a question that can probably never be answered. But, if I had to guess, I would simply have to say that it is within human nature to be in control. As I have mentioned in previous blog posts, people thrive on similarity and routine, and control comes with the power to impliment such things. When humans are out of control they often do whatever they can to regain the stability, and it seems that humans have this fear because they know many times throughout their lives and beyond they will lose control. So, it appears that it is just within human nature to see the unexplained as negative and dangerous, and there is not much anyone can do to change our evolution to this point over thousands of years. If you could change one aspect of our human nature, what would it be? What would the world be like if the human race had no fears?