Worth

Would you sacrifice yourself for the greater good?

This is an age of peace. Most people would be totally stumped by this question.

In my opinion, there is a standard answer to this question, and it is:

If it’s worth it, yes.

Why do people fight? A standard cliched answer would be: people fight to protect what is precious to them.

But if you really think about it, you can also read it this way: people fight to protect what they feel is worth it for them to protect.

In a previous post, possibly the one about types of work in modern society, I mentioned how the epitome for a master is when a revolt happens, and yet their servants still fight to protect their home for them (as opposed to looting their house themselves).

Why do they do fight? They fight because they have been won over by their master. Of their own free will, they subjectively decide what is worth it for them – namely the action of fighting for their masters.

If a war happened in your peaceful country in the modern day, would you stake your life to keep it independent?

Let’s not be all morally superior and dismiss those who answer no as mere cowards. That’s moral absolutism.

The technical answer is this. If someone feels that it’s worth it, they’ll say yes. But if they feel that it’s not worth it, they’ll say no. Perhaps one important factor is whether or not they’ll be subjugated, or oppressed. If they will be, practically speaking, of course it’s worth it!

Yeah, maybe there will be cowards who will hide and expect others to handle all the rough stuff – they can still flee at worst. But then again, cowards can also rise to the challenge if they feel that it’s absolutely something they need to stand up for (when it’s worth it)! At the end of the day, it’s really about what someone finds worth in.

Just think of how China used to have an Emperor. Looking at it objectively nowadays, it’s just power shifting hands! There’s no divine right to rule. Technically speaking, some people could very well embrace anarchy in the modern day. Ties of loyalty to the own country you were born in may not be that strong anymore. One may even call it progressivism! Out with the outdated – the idealist motto!

Being an idealist myself, it is impossible to righteously dismiss their claim outright! All I can say is – masters should conduct themselves such that those beneath their rule would fight for them. If a system remains backward and seems doomed for failure anyway? Why, go hire mercenaries then! Don’t expect anybody to devote their hearts to you – revolutionaries have the souls of the people.

What unifies people to fight? Why, it is none other than identity. Human beings have a natural sense of identity as belonging in a group – it’s actually why othering and discrimination happens. But even so, group identity equals unifying force – like how members of esports teams fight to lift the championship trophy together! Fights cannot happen without different entities of different identities. The fight may be because of a dumb reason. Yet, as part of that group, their overall wellbeing is naturally your foremost interest.

So if ever the question arises: Will you fight for them?

When push comes to shove, it all boils down to: is it worth it? If sense of belonging is fused-level solid, it’s not even a question. Really, it’s as if you are them and they you! But if it’s hazy, not remotely clear-cut, you’ve got some careful ‘weighing’ to do.

So, let’s just be clear: we’re not regular soldiers but regular people with a choice, a choice to decide for ourselves whether something really is worth fighting for. That’s the modern way. And ideally, of course, zero actual bloodshed and destruction is highest strategy.

To me, what is worth fighting for? I just never differentiate stuff at the group level that much. Personally, I believe that all humanity – scrap that, overall! humanity – is worth fighting for. Lacking though they may be in many aspects, an average person has possibilities inherent that are enough redeeming. People are influenced by their environment. People go down wrong paths due to their environment. If the environment were right, the system no longer one that easily brings out the worst in them, I mean, just imagine how they could flourish. People are flawed, admittedly, but beautifully flawed, a beauty of dormant potential.

What am I saying. That sounds cheesy. Whatever.

What reason is there to be a good person? Well, life would be so much pure happier if everyone were good. And then much more stimulating if everyone were fun. And then… oh right. Life is about value. Living is as simple as determining what has value to you and prioritising it accordingly. It’s as simple as that. Let’s not make it any more complicated than it really is, okay. If it’s not something that you truly value, stop treating it like it’s valuable! At the end of the day, you may find that you have lost what’s truly valuable to you (I’m thinking revenge here, but that’s just my overdramatic imagination. As an abstract concept it should apply to all specifics!)… Now it somehow sounds cliched, but it’s truth. Truth is underrated.

What has no value, is not worth it.

End

Edit: Sometimes, you have to apply the so-called platinum rule rather than the golden rule. That’s because they are just not worth it! Be sure to retain the very basics and trueness of self whatever is reciprocated. A sense of confidence, carefreeness and happiness, a life based just on those who are worth it. Overextend? Bend yourself backward for a battle you’re destined to lose? No thank ya!