Is It Time to Reboot Survival Instincts?

Survival instincts have been the single biggest driver enabling human beings to adapt and carry on from one century to the other. It has helped us trump wars, epidemics, genocides, and even natural disasters as a species. There is no question that without these survival instincts we would have not existed and flourished the way we have. Yet, the last few weeks of slowdown in our lives and routines has made me realize and question a few things. If survival instincts is one side of the coin, is the other side greed and the need to compete in a race?

Greed to accumulate is not something that is driven by an evil mutated gene, but rather from centuries of conditioning to deal with and plan for shortages that we, as a species, have experienced. We can track this down to the origins of Homo Sapiens 200,000 years ago, when we struggled to get the next meal or hunt, in addition to having a pervasive fear of surviving the next day. It still stays deeply rooted in our subconscious. Fast forward to the 21st century, this need to accumulate more and more is ingrained in our psyches and has becomes second nature that we are groomed with. In today’s time, this psyche of accumulation is driving us to participate in the rat race, robbing our peace of mind, and challenging our ability to stay in the present. Are our survival instincts outdated to secure our tomorrow, and is it time to reboot them?

I do believe that while survival instincts are great and especially needed in times of crisis, they need a reboot to stay relevant to today’s time. We have substantially evolved as a species, and so should things we focus on or ways we behave consciously and subconsciously. Today, there are much more resources and comforts available to us as compared with any other time in the history of mankind. The life expectancy is at an all-time high, mortality rates have plummeted, travel is far easier and affordable, and so is dealing with the uncertain. And yes, there are large pockets of our society where there continues to be a fight for survival and basic necessities. But for those of us who are lucky to be on this brighter side of the world (and there are a lot of us in that bucket), is it time to take a relook and reassess what we need to be focussing on. Do we really need to be a part of the rat race through and through? Are we confusing movement with progress? On the corporate side, would some of us be better off working with a different more flexible paradigm - potentially working reduced hours every week, or working on a contractual basis or pursuing something we are truly are passionate about or other variants thereof. Maybe, just maybe, a bit more economic freedom married with less insecurities, could help us spend more time in self-fulfilment, and wellbeing of our families. If we weren’t caught in the chaotic movement, would we be innovating a lot more, creating something magical, helping the not so fortunate get better to a brighter future, or at the minimum be happier more often.

I do feel that as time evolves a larger proportion of our generation, and definitely the next generation, will reboot their survival instincts to focus on creativity, innovation, happiness as compared to a lot of us and our ancestors. This will be driven by a combination of two things. One, each passing generation is inheriting and experiencing a lot of resources and therefore the insecurities will reduce. Two, the new ways of working are will become more pervasive and accepted in different parts of the world. For instance, a lot of the Scandinavian countries even today offer parents a 480 day parental leave @80% of their last drawn salary, have a 30 hour work week, with a lot of flexibility for contracting role. The same is getting reflected in some pockets within Western Europe. While this may take a really long time to find traction in countries like India, I do feel increasing number of people are and will voluntarily make choices towards this new paradigm of life, where working is a part of what they do and not the only thing that defines them.