Poll: which is the most universal human characteristic?

[ampa451]

I got this from the movie Waking Life. it was fantastic.

 

[ellimist337]

Well, fear is one of the emotions that all humans in all cultures display. Laziness isn't necessarily universal in the way fear is. I guess I'll say fear. If you expand on this, maybe that would help.

 

[ampa451]

It has to do with why people don't live out to their full potential.

 

[Arntor]

Both are universal. Prevalence of characteristics depend on circumstances.

 

[Inverse Skies]

Death or sleep would be the prime options here.

 

[traceur_]

Fear is an emotion and survival instinct that every human possesses, so fear is more common

 

[Larenxis]

I watched this last night. This is an unnerving coincidence.
I'll go with laziness, just because it meshes with me so well.

 

[sky14kemea]

i say fear, like everyone else seems to XD

although i am very lazy

 

[Insomniaku]

Greed

 

[ampa451]

heres the scene.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThUaBAGJpQs

 

[Weaver]

I was going to say having a nose, but I guess I'll have to go with fear since that's not on there.

 

[similar.squirrel]

Laziness. Every creature fears. It's a self-defence mechanism. Humans are the only species that keep slaves. And fabricate things to be scared of to keep others in check [ie. religion]

You people have a really twee idea of human nature. Face it. We suck.

 

[blackcherry]

Fear most definitely. Most of us could achieve a lot more just by asking people for something like help. Yet our fear of ridicule/diminishment in that persons eyes, or something equally foolish, stops us.

It also makes us very easy to control.

EDIT: Being lazy is something we can only afford when we reach a certain standard of living, meaning that in some cultures, the idea of being lazy is not even considered most of the time.

 

[ampa451]

i recommend the whole movie. Theres plenty of interesting philosophies in it.

 

[similar.squirrel]

i recommend the whole movie. Theres plenty of interesting philosophies in it.

I found it a bit pedantic. Much prefer things like Fight Club or the Matrix, which have an interesting plot to carry the ideas. But it's by no means bad =].
A lot of philosophers write novels, sort of..packaging their ideas in an allegory.. just comes across in a more interesting manner. More difficult with films though, since people think audiences are idiots, and the audiences don't midn being perceived as such =[

 

[nova18]

Fear is a characteristic of every animal so Im going with that one.

Plus a lot of characteristic's stem from fear so it makes sense that that is the most universal.

 

[aussiesniper]

If I may suggest two more options, I think that you are missing stupidity and libido.

But of he two given, I'd go with fear as the more common human characteristic.

 

[The Cheezy One]

all animals fear, only humans send their kids out to do the shopping instead