I love the word loco. While it suggests something isn’t quite right in a person’s head, it stops short of presuming actual insanity. Loco is even more meaningful when linked with its most common modifier, plumb. “Boy, you’re plumb loco” conveys my amazement that anyone would think, do or say something so dangerous/insipid/moronic. And we know that “motive” refers to motivation, the reason for something. So a loco motive would be religion, for example; a crazy way to reason about reality.
Could anything exert a more powerful influence on humanity than religion? Is there closer to a common human language than the notion of gods?
Yes, several things. Food is one item that transcends divisions, as is music and dance.
I don’t know that I fully understand the difference between Humanism and humanism. In general I’m a lower-case kind of guy, so I’ll confess that I consider myself a humanist. I am fascinated by my fellow humans, I think we’re a very interesting species. I feel a strong kinship with other humans. Religion offends me because all the various expressions of belief in gods include an element of divisiveness. It encourages a feeling of separation from other humans. Unlike religion, you don’t have to be taught how to dance or sing. They are instinctive behaviors.
Combine music, dance and people, especially children, and you have a compelling reason to be optimistic about the future of our species. Many things I see every day tempt me to become a complete pessimist. Then I see something like the following video and I realize I’m still the foolish romantic, still a humanist. Watch and enjoy.
