I love the community in which my family and I live. The natural beauty, the lifestyle, the small town feel, the excellent school system through which our son was educated…coupled with the lake (Lake Travis) as a defining feature of our town’s recreational opportunities as well as ethos (“Livin’ La Vida Lago!” alternates with “Live Like You’re on Vacation!”).
However, I’m particularly proud these days because of the community response to the recent flooding and loss of life. While points west and northwest of us, including Kerrville and Burnet, have received most of the press attention, we had our own calamities here in Travis County, including loss of life and homes – indeed whole neighborhoods – having been destroyed by the terrible flooding.
The community rallied to provide immediate relief…and remains diligent and committed to providing ongoing support and help to those individuals and families who have been impacted. I am grateful for the first responders, community leaders, church members, chamber of commerce members, and individuals who have done so much.
As I reflect on this shining example of a community coming together, I can’t help but contrast it with the negative discourse and coarsening of our public spheres, particularly in the area of politics….and especially online. While the apparently ascendant powers – whether politicians or so-called influencers, or just negative nabobs who think they can type whatever they want from the protection of their screen and anonymity – work overtime and relentlessly to divide us and make us think our country is going downhill…real people in the real world show us that just ain’t so.
I doubt anyone helping or receiving help during this recent devastation and response worried about whether the person in need, or the person helping, was a Republican or Democrat…or what religion or denomination they were a member of…or how they voted in the last election…or whether they are gay or straight, have kids or no kids…are Longhorns or Aggies.
No, they focused on the character and actions of the person in front of them and did the best they could to help, or begin to recover, or at least offer encouragement and hope.
Misinterpreting Darwin
Charles Darwin is famous for his research and theory of evolution. His work is often cited as “survival of the fittest”, providing us with two centuries (almost) of a primitive take on life. Dog eat dog, winner takes all, get what you can before the other guy, don’t be a loser.
Actually, in Darwin’s earlier work, he emphasized adaptability. Those species, including humans, who adapted the best developed better resiliency, and therefore survived and thrived over time.
Not everyone is familiar with Darwin’s later work, captured in “The Descent of Man”. As his research and perspective matured, Darwin realized that COMMUNITY and ALTRUISM were the reasons certain species survived and thrived. We see this throughout nature, from how trees cooperate and help each other to the social communities of ants and birds…all the way up to the social communities of us humans.
Yes, the key is “Survival of the Altruistic”. Let’s keep that ever in mind as we move forward into the inevitable challenges of the modern world, as well as the curveballs Mother Nature keeps throwing us.
And bless you citizens of Lago Vista, Jonestown, Point Venture, and Leander.
You Can Do It!
Dr. Karen