Testaments according to the Flies on the Wall
Entry number 23750 as recorded by Fly "Buzz ZK681"
My mission; to observe human behaviour when in groups.
First: human beings seem to behave very differently depending upon the size of the group they belong to.
Second: once a group is established, it somehow becomes, (what appears to me to be) a "bubble".
Bubble one: Family, a group consisting of adults and mini humans. This bubble varies in size, and what happens within this bubble, seems to be very complex. But what seems to be the same for most, is that this is a very strong bubble.
Next I observed the many bubbles that the mini humans encountered at a place they call "school".
Using their own terms, there was the "Geek" bubble, the "Nerd" bubble, the "Cool Group" bubble, the "Jock" bubble, the "Alternate" bubble, and the "Don't fit in" bubble, and outside of these bubbles, there were some humans who didn't seem to belong to a bubble at all. (They seemed to provide their own, very individual bubbles.)
Those instructing these mini humans seemed to have their own bubbles as well; the "teachers" bubble, the "administrations" bubble, and the "caretakers/janitors/cleaners" bubble.
All these bubbles, seemed to have one thing in common: to belong, the members were expected to behave according to the rules of that particular bubble.
When observing the adult humans, it became apparent to me, that just like the mini humans, they too have bubbles they belong to. There are too many for me to mention, so I will mention a few: The "work mate" bubbles, the "friendship" bubbles, the "sports groups" bubbles, the "club" bubbles, the "religious" bubbles, the "political" bubbles, the "art" bubbles, and so on. Human beings seem to need to belong to some or another kind of bubble. My observation is that belonging to a bubble seems to strengthen those within the bubble.
Many of the bubbles at times intersect, sometimes peacefully, but at other times, with much hostility.
If I may simplify: There are a great many different varieties of "political" and "religious" bubbles, but often each bubble seem convinced that their particular bubble is the only true/right one, so when they bump into each other they often fortify their own bubbles rather than open them up and make a larger bubble. My observation is that humans feel most at ease within the familiarity of their own bubbles, so engaging with "outside/different thinking" bubbles, is often viewed as quite disturbing and unsettling.
On the other hand, there also seem to be bubbles that invite other bubbles to merge with them.
Bubbles that consist of humans who seek to embrace cooperation, the exchange of ideas, the discovery of alternate methods and approaches, new ways of communication, and effective and helpful means for a harmonious coexistence for all.
From an observers point of view, how human beings function in a large group, seem to depend much on how they experienced belonging to their first bubble; their family.
If they felt cherished and secure in their families, then they seem to be able to encounter other "bubbles" confidently and compassionately. If, on the other hand, their experiences within their own families were those of rejection, neglect and lovelessness, then belonging to any bubble may appear risky and uncertain. (Paradoxically, the lack of security, consistency and love, often appears to play a role in bubbles offering strict rules and dedicated obedience, (such as cults, gangs, armed forces, etc.) seem very enticing /inviting for humans with a conflicted/complex/loveless experience of their families.)
My conclusion: Human beings seem to need to belong. To a family, to a group of likeminded, to an organisation, to a sports club, to a faith system, to a political ideology, to a group of friends, to a people, to a nation, to a planet.......
The ability to cooperate and to be compassionate; strengths of mankind, the lapses thereof; the bane of mankind.
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