AIBU to be ashamed to be human?

[Pluckyduck]

Aibu to be ashamed to be human?

Hello, first post, although I’ve been lurking and reading threads since 2013. Everything that has been going on with Brexit has bought me out of the shadows. I feel like I’ve woken up to the awful things that humans are capable of. I feel extremely negative (I don’t think it’s depression?) and I can’t sleep...

Yes this is probably a Brexit thread indirectly...but it’s also things across the world that have me thinking about the wider picture.

Don’t get me wrong; I have a daughter and everyday I have beautiful moments with her that take my breath away. I can see the wonder of nature and the love of my family.

But.

We have racism, greed, selfishness, hatred.
People capable of disgusting and violent acts.
Going backs years and years humans carried out the most awful acts (hanging? Guillotine? Drawn and quartered?)
People facing pain daily. Abuse, violence. Right this minute there’s people suffering. Families trying to cross oceans and children dying.

Richer getting richer, and poorer getting poorer. Children without dinner tonight, starving. Someone out there right now thinking about killing themselves because they can’t afford to live.

I think it’s reading about the horrendous murder of Jo Cox which was referred to again recently in parliament. What happened to her, I just feel sick to my stomach. Regardless of what you think about Brexit and which way you voted - it just made me think - I can’t believe what we have become (or maybe what we’ve always been?)

People abused, belittled and dismissed.
We teach children about kindness but those who have made it to the top have done without a shred of it.

Money controlling everything, corruption. Our effect on our planet, pollution, plastics, climate change. Our effect on other species. Terrorism. War.

So, Aibu? Or am I just too jaded with life?

Hi there
YANBU.
I am glad to know that I'm not the only person having such thoughts.

I used to think that I must become desensitized about things and not allow them to affect me negatively, but everyday I see/read/hear something or the other that makes me wonder what the hell is happening in the world, how have we come to this, where do we go from here.

It's the nature of human beings though isn't it. People have always been the same for thousands of years it's just that they can do it bigger now. I think as long as you are kind and do your best what else is there

There is so much bad in the world yet so much good.

I look at Brexit articles in the local press and the comments and I despair, then I see how the community, the city are pulling together for other reasons.

Things may get very bad but the people to blame are not your family, friends or neighbours. Some may have voted unintentionally to take away your livelihood whilst making the likes of JRM rich but j betcha they would give you the shirt of your back if you needed it.

Whilst there is clear manipulation going on, people care and we will continue to care.

Can you tell I've had some wine

I feel the same way OP.

I don’t even really want to go out because of people’s behaviour.

Hi,
YANBU,
I feel the same. Every day I concern myself with the suffering in this world and feel so useless that I cant effectively do anything to change it. I feel so angry about so many things, child poverty, abuse, the environment, and as for politicians don't get me started! I feel like they are laughing at us! And the complacency from anyone that I talk to is shocking! I feel that many people are just living in their bubble and have no real interest in looking outside of it, it boils my blood so much! One small example, I am vegetarian, hope to become vegan in time, and when people talk to me about it, the majority I sense, feel I am a little weird! It infuriates me that they are so uninformed about so much! But what can you do, I have no answers.

You're right, I'm afraid. I suppose humans didn't get to rule the planet by being nice, kind and altruistic, but it's still a depressing thing to realise.

overall poverty has fallen.
www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2018/09/19/decline-of-global-extreme-poverty-continues-but-has-slowed-world-bank
some of what you say seems worse because of the way and frequency we get news from around the world at rapid speed. remember good stories don't sell.
there have been huge medical strides made.
massive wars (like the two ww's) where thousands and thousands died in a day are not happening.
avoid the news except for once a week.

YADNBU

Horse chestnut trees are facing extinction due to human activity.

Conkers!

I don't think you should be ashamed of being human. We are animals and have biological drives. We are not mythical perfect creatures walking on clouds.
We're cruel and empathetic, we're selfish and generous, we're geniuses and stupid.

Having said that, it looks like you may be suffering anxiety, fueled by Brexit perhaps. I'd agree that we are living in, maybe not yet dangerous, but certainly fragile times. The world is changing and some of the outlook is not good. Climate change, increased radicalisms, political instability and the lack of good leaders certainly make up for uncertainty about the future.
But, as usual, there are beacons of hope.

How about instead of dwelling on the dread, you take active steps to make the world better? Use your vote, your money, your time, your actions and your words. Do something about it.

YANBU I often feel the same way. I wonder what an alien race would think if they could look down at us. Would they view us like some nasty virus destroying the planet through greed and thoughtlessness?

Fortunately there are some lovely people out there and many many trying to change the tide.

Sadly I agree OP

We are hugely overrated..yanbu.

As far as we know, we’re the only creatures in the universe that can even feel shame. Seems a little silly to feel it about ourselves.

Totally agree with you OP. This is a minor example compared to yours, but the other day I went to a spring flower display (I'm in Australia) at a botanic garden. The flower bed had a human shaped hole in it! Some jerk has lied down on the flowers! I assume to take a selfie.

I know it's a very minor example but it's such a selfish, destructive act for absolutely nothing, it made me lose all hope.

You are quite right. Throughout history we have done awful things and continue to do so. We have destroyed the very planet we.live on..I think an alien race would definitely see us as a pest species to be removed. But we're going the way about reducing our numbers drastically so o fuss that's a positive for the planet? If not for the.millions who won t survive.