Altruism

[Holise E. Cleveland III]

Definition of ALTRUISM

1

: unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others

2

: behavior by an animal that is not beneficial to or may be harmful to itself but that benefits others of its species

“The most compassionate form of giving is done with no thought or expectation of reward, and grounded in genuine concern for others.” – Dalai Lama

A few days ago, a friend sent me an image that he created. I posted it and thanked him publicly. He asked me to remove the public address to his selfless act. I completely understand him. I do not particularly want credit for anything that I do for a noble cause. I nevertheless accept it because my Italian side of the family has always taught me that it is an insult to turn down a gift. Their thanks is a way for them to give back. Still, it makes me a bit uncomfortable.

There has been a lot of talk in the activist circles about credit being due. It has been said that an article or blog post is considered intellectual property. A video or a photograph can be copyrighted. I can understand if you are a big organization or a professional writer, but people on facebook are getting upset about people stealing ideas and photos. Most of my facebook friends are dedicated to stopping the atrocities that occur in Taji, Japan. If you are not familiar with this, please watch The Cove. Dolphins are being abused and inhumanely slaughtered. We are on a mission to see this holocaust end.

This is not about “what is mine.” This is about spreading awareness and doing something to save lives. Giving me credit for doing a selfless act, in my opinion, almost negates it. Nothing is more personally gratifying than a completely selfless act, but if even one person knows about that act it is just not as precious. It is not as fulfilling. I have done some things in my life that I will never share with another. It is what helps me remain pure of heart. If I were to post a photograph for the sake of furthering our cause to save the lives of intelligent sentient beings; if I were to stamp a copyright on this picture and say that it is mine, I would wash away all selflessness that remains in me with an act that is quite the contrary.

I would like to ask everyone reading this to take my photos, my videos, my words and my blog and share them. Download them and upload them to your own pages. Copy my blog posts and put them on yours. Whatever you do, please do not mention my name anywhere. I am asking you to do this because it will make me feel better and maybe these acts will help balance the energy and karma in respect to those that need the praise, attention, recognition and copyrights for deeds that should be for the dolphins alone.

The horrible things that are happening in Taiji are only the tip of the iceberg. I want to see all suffering end. I want all pain and death to be wiped away, but I can only do so much. I campaign against the killers of The Cove, but it is a small portion of the big picture. According to scientists, there will be no sea life left in the oceans by the year 2048. You can watch The End of The Line or research the subject for yourself.

If the seas die, we die. This planet will rid itself of the human race. What good will your copyrights be then? How will it matter if you got credit for an idea that someone used in a video they created to raise awareness for a worthy cause? What’s important is that the word gets out before it’s too late. It doesn’t matter whose freakin’ idea a video was if that video raises awareness to bring us one step closer to saving our grandchildren. This is about the dolphins and the animals of our planet. This is about the generations of humans to come and whether they come at all. This is not about YOU!

If you disagree, then you need to find another hobby, because that is what this is to you.

For more on this subject, please read Egotists and Activists.

“It is worth reminding ourselves that the greatest joy and satisfaction in life come from actions we undertake out of concern for others.” – Dalai Lama

• We’ve Simply Run Out Of Room to Expand Fishing : TreeHugger
• All seafood will run out in 2050, say scientists
• World’s Fish Supply Running Out, Researchers Warn – washingtonpost.com
• Study: Marine Species Collapse by 2048
• “Empty Seas: Total Depletion of Marine Resources Feared by 2048″
• Study: 90% of the ocean’s edible species may be gone by 2048 – USAT...

Related Articles

• In Search of the Altruism Gene (insearchofgoodness.wordpress.com)
• Altruism is Possible and Altruism is Real (gregghake.wordpress.com)
• Altruism’s Evolutionary Explanation: It’s Sexy (healthland.time.com)
• Documentary | The Cove (markpeterdavis.com)