work together to make things better

For many years, humanity has had to work as a group to achieve common goals. Since the beginning of time, we have had to cooperate with each other to survive, to hunt for food, for making fire and to learn from each other. The key to human evolution has always been cooperation.

Over the years, this instinctive behavior has slowly been fading away, and the main reason is the lack of needing to work together to achieve our personal necessities. In a society where one is judged by his social and economic status, by being part of a capitalist system, it’s easy to be led by greed and selfishness when thinking about our own interests. It’s safe to say that people have become very individualist, in the aspect of their own welfare.

Revolutionary sociologist Peter Kropotkin, wrote a book called “Mutual Aid”, where he describes mutual aid as the practice of understanding and getting involved in the wellbeing of the people around you. These can be your family, friends, neighbours, associations, or any other kind of community. In this book, Kropotkin makes a comparison between human and animal behavior, where the human is blinded by his own grief, and he isn’t capable of achieving his goals, even having more resources, knowledge and intelligence than animals. But yet again, ants are capable of building bridges and organizing themselves much better than humans, as well as birds are capable of communicating with each other every spring and fall to migrate together to another country, by crossing seas and far lands.

There are many ways in which someone can get involved in the practice of mutual cooperation. By simply having an open mindset during your day to day, it’s great that we subconsciously help each other out, without expecting anything in return, just because we genuinely want the best for each other.

It is also good to participate in local actions through our local clubs, schools, associations and work. Volunteering is a good way of spreading solidarity throughout the community, creating a network of people that share the same goals and interests. It is also a great way to socialise and make friends.

Overall, mutual aid consists mainly in the practice of empathy with others, considering their situation is completely different from yours, and that they need help, the same way that you would need help if you were in their situation.

Ferran Mortes

Sources: EL APOYO MUTUO, el gran silencio que practicas a diario - cuellilargo YT