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If you were stranded on a tropical island, could you survive on your own? After watching such survival movies such as The Edge (Anthony Hopkins, Alec Baldwin), and Cast Away (Tom Hanks), I know I can't.

If Cast Away taught me anything, it is that we simply have evolved too much to ever be able to completely live off nature. Yes, it is possible to make a fire from rubbing sticks together, but there are other problems that we couldn't have easily solved without modern tools. Without spoiling the movie, let me ask you this: would Tom Hanks be able to really survive without using the pair of skates? I think not.

I know for a fact I don't have enough outdoor skills to survive in the woods. Heck, the only jungle I've been is of the urban type, with brick, mortar and asphalt as its indigenous vegetation. I could probably live on the streets of a big city more than I could my backyard. At least I can beg for money.... How do I cook grub worms to make them not taste like vomit flavoured bubblegum? yech!

Which leads me to the idea of begging. What do you think? Nuisance or needy? Frankly, I really feel for these people. It is unfortunate that I cannot spare a loonie for every street person in need of a buck. These individuals who are so down on their luck that they have to panhandle just to get by. I know there are people who abhor beggars, and their reason for not giving a little money is because they'll just turn around and spend it on booze, drugs, etc. But think of it from their point of view. They have no money, no place to live, no family, no real friends, and probably no self-confidence. Their only solace is in their habit, be it alcoholic or pharmaceutics. If the only comfort left from them is from a bottle or needle, who are we to judge? Who are we to say: "Because you're a drunk/druggie, you do not deserve any kind of joy." That's a pretty snotty-uppity-better-than-thou-elitist attitude if you ask me. When you're that down, it is nearly impossible for anyone to help. It's not that they don't want a better life (I'm assuming they do), but mentally speaking, they are incapable of helping themselves. Really, a lot of these people are at their rope's end, and if I can provide any kind of comfort, be it right or wrong in your eyes, I will.

Wasn't really thinking of writing stuff like that, but I just realized it struck a nerve when I've been with people who would scold me for sparing some change. This wasn't recent, but it just surfaced while blogging about survival.

....I'm no saint, and I don't pretend to be. I'm just trying to make life easier for everyone.





posted by losir at 3:14 PM