Directions:

For this final writing assignment, write 475-500 words (more is fine), and try to give some thought to what it may mean to be human beyond some dictionary definition or some biological qualities. Reviewing those universal concepts or themes in humanities may be helpful here, as would a quick overview of the semester’s readings, viewings, discussion or assignments, especially those with which you found yourself engaged. Answer the following question:

What does it mean to be human?

I would like to see you ground your discussion with one or two of our readings and/or assignments, anything that prompted you to consider larger questions about who we are as humans, as a culture or cultures, the human condition, and so on. We’ve had events in 2020 that certainly that may be relevant to your discussion as well, but try to ground your answer in the course in some way. 

There is no right or wrong answer here–just try to be thoughtful about the question. It’s not supposed to be a “what I learned this semester” list, but rather you showing where you found yourself engaged and thoughtful, and where you found insight into something you feel might be significant about what it means to be human in the world today. 

No complaints or compliments about the course or your instructor here, please; there are avenues for that. Keep focused on the question

Answered

What it means being Human

Human beings in the modern world are striving to improve the universe and to find the purpose for existence. Thousands of innovations happen on the planet, with countries and individuals competing to be at the top (Huffman, 2020). Humans get their purpose in life by pursuing the innermost desires and helping others and the universe through their contribution. Humans are evolving in communication. Traditionally, people communicated through words, symbols, facial expressions, and posture. Currently, there are more developed means of communication facilitated by media and technological advancement. People can now communicate seamlessly through the internet, which was not possible about one century ago. The development has changed how humans experience their world today. People do not have to be in the same geographical location to communicate. Additionally, people must not know each other to connect as the social media platforms have allowed strangers to pass the intended message making the world a global market.

Human beings are now able to make their own decisions and bear the consequences of their actions. There is widespread knowledge and new freedoms that allow the people to make informed decisions with full understanding of possible outcomes. Human beings can fit in different places and groups (Bavaresco et al., 2019). The globalization facilitated by industrialization and economic development has made people move from their home countries to work in foreign nations. As a result, people experience different cultures, political groups, and religious views, thus promoting diversity. As a result, the population discusses racism and other forms of discrimination to make the world a better place for all people. Therefore, people can live and work in any location, even where their cultures are different, as humans are becoming more tolerant of diversities.

People are enjoying new freedoms, including their sexuality and lifestyle. Some populations have legalized lesbianism, gay, bisexuality, and transgender relations. The discussions are also ongoing in most countries to allow the people liberty and freedom in their relations.

Human beings are striving to conserve the environment. There has been tremendous exploitation of natural resources and pollution of the environment following industrialization and production. As a result, people are moving to green practices, including reducing non-renewable power consumption, reducing carbon emissions, and recycling waste, among other techniques (Stachova et al., 2017). Therefore, both organizations and individuals are taking part in conservation measures to make the world sustainable for current and future generations. Humans have come up with ways to communicate among different people to promote multi-regionalism. Technologies can translate languages to make it possible for people to understand each other, which has promoted businesses globally.

People are motivated by the need to improve life, leading to machines to make work easier in farming and production. Additionally, technologies and knowledge in medicine have improved the life expectancy of people. Doctors are able to know the diseases in the human body and conduct research to alleviate suffering, prolong life, and treat. The doctors are also giving evidence-based knowledge on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle to protect vulnerable populations. Living in communities has become essential for knowledge sharing, thus improve the living standards of people. Humans realize that they are interdependent as none is self-sufficient. Some countries produce minerals, others petroleum, other food, and labor, among other commodities. Therefore, it is important for the people to live as a single community to find market for their products and acquire what they do not need from the others. This has created unity among governments, with relationships regulated by treaties and trade agreements. The developed countries are also supporting underdeveloped and developing countries to achieve sustainability and improve their citizens’ lives.

References

Bavaresco, M. V., D’Oca, S., Ghisi, E., & Lamberts, R. (2019). Technological innovations to assess and include the human dimension in the building-performance loop: A review. Energy and Buildings, 202, 109365.

Huffman, W. E. (2020). Human Capital and Adoption of Innovations: Policy Implications. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, 42(1), 92-99.

Stachova, K., Stacho, Z., & Vicen, V. (2017). Efficient involvement of human resources in innovations through effective communication. Business: Theory and Practice, 18, 33.