Granted

To take things for granted:

I suppose it’s an adaptive trait. Our visual cortex has learned to stop noticing the things that don’t move in order to be able to pay attention to the things that do. It is what has allowed us to escape our predators, detect danger, discover new inventions, and realize when something precious has been stolen. If we were to notice everything that ever is, ever was, or ever will be, we may not really notice anything at all. It is against our instincts to appreciate that which has always been there for us: the bread at the grocery store, the kitchen light that turns on with the flick of the switch, the shelter and nourishment our parents provide whenever we return home for the holidays, the warmth of the naked arms waiting to embrace us each night. What must it take for us to challenge millions of years of evolution? Should we even challenge it?

To avoid being taken for granted:

also an adaptive trait. Our frontal cortex has learned to calculate the costs and benefits of our choices quite accurately. Action A costs x and benefits y. If the favor is not returned, we warn ourselves to abort the mission. It is what has allowed us to protect our resources, survive with the limited food and shelter we have, ensure that we are surrounded by those who are most likely to help us in times of hardship. It is against our instincts to continue to give when our gifts are not appreciated or eventually returned: kindness towards criminals, money for the drunkards, love for someone who does not love us in return. What must it take for us to continue giving through the warning signal? Should we even continue?

I believe we believe the answers are ‘yes.’

The most praised prophets of our world share these counter-evolutionary traits. That which most take for granted, they do not; that which most choose not to give, they do. But do we really aspire to be like them? Or are they simply the way we like our prophets, saviors, friends, parents, and significant others? Who wouldn’t want to be surrounded by these selfless individuals? They make the best companions to take advantage of. To really live out these traits, we would have to give up a few percentages of our chances for survival. Is that worth it? It is quite obvious to our brains that it is not. What could it bring us? What could be worth more than survival?