The Joke's on You

"...the ancient biological need of the human species for a distinct tribal identity is a powerful force that cannot be subdued. As fast as one super-tribal split is invisibly mended, another one appears. Well-meaning authorities talk airily about 'hopes for a global society'. They see clearly the technical possibility of such a development, given the marvels of modern communication, but they stubbornly overlook the biological difficulties." (Desmond Morris, The Human Zoo, Ch. Two: Status and Super-Status)

So we will continue to form our cliques, our tribes, our groups, our clans, our families, our packs, our societies, our affiliations, our unions, our bands, and our troops. If we are not welcome in one, we will be welcome in another unit. If we are bumped from our leadership roles in one, we will split from the group of bipedal apes and begin another. We will squabble, we will laugh, we will break, and we will mend.

All in all, one must recall -- We are dancing this dance -- Climbing and falling upon one another -- Like a colony of ants -- Squirming upon this pale blue dot -- Suffering to love and loving to suffer -- As we live and age and perish and rot -- It's sad and it's funny -- How we forget to breathe until we choke -- And forget to see through the Magna Scope -- And completely miss the joke.