FaceBook comments on "Three Important Issues" (1)

(Phil) Though it is not given to any specific individual to lead the species, it's everyone's responsibility to do what is necessary for the survival of the species. When it become necessary for someone to take the lead, even for a minute, then it will be understood and supported. This leader may be the man/woman of the hour. And under different circumstances, someone else may rise to carry the torch. Each time, the species will naturally rally behind this individual. We learn this from birds that fly in V- formation.

(Darius) But they do that because they trust whomever it is that takes the lead. Our problem is not how to follow but how to trust.

(Phil) Exactly, we go back to our primary issue: distrust;-)
This is a bit odd, for they seem to understand that trust is necessary. This simply means that trust is built-in for them. What about us?

(Darius) So I must correct myself, because we know how to trust. We have developed the knack of thinking that some of us do not belong. We trust those we believe are like us.

(Jeanette) Speaking of the V formation... Ducks and geese embrace the V formation because it is expedient for each one of them and the most efficient way to move the flock from place to place. 1. It allows the flock to go more easily in the same direction. 2. The physics of the V enables those behind the leader to use less than full energy, which comes in handy for long flights. 3. It also allows for each bird to avoid the duck and goose poo.
The ducks and geese know that cooperation is advantageous for all of them for the reasons I stated above. How do we get the message across to humans that trust is advantageous for us to the degree that it will "..direct all humans to a state of being in which we intuitively wish to work cooperatively...". What is the magic forumla?

(Phil) This is the reason why Darius pointed at Education. Not as we know it today, though. ;-)

(Inclaire) Education, education, education. Would the V work for humans, or should the V be inverted?

(Jeanette) Inclaire, if we look at the reasons for and the results of the V formation, I think there are applications and lessons we can learn for our species. The leader, at least during migration, shares strength with both legs of the V through the laws of physics. The cooperation between each in the line allows the entire line to share the strength of ... See Morethe leader's flight. If one falls out of formation, the rest have to flap harder to attempt to keep up until the line can be restructured to work again. As one leader tires, another rested one takes its place. If the V were to be inverted, the entire flock would be not only spending their energy inefficiently and not likely to make the long haul but they would be a poopy mess, too. That mess is not only uncomfortable but it weighs the individual down and further causes inefficient flight.
Perhaps one of our problems is that humans are trying to fly in an inverted V and only the "leaders" of the flock are getting the full benefits of air currents created by the flapping wings.