Across the Terrain of the African Continent - Assignment Example

 Across the Terrain of the African Continent As one travels along the railroad across the terrain of the African continent, several issues come out evidently. In the historical times that marked the appearance of white men among the people of Africa, there are certain facts that can only be explained by the railroad as it maneuvers through the continent, countries and regions. For instance, as one passes through the indigenous villages dotted by a number of people surprised at the amazing things that a stranger can do, scaling the heights of mountains and hills by use of an “iron snake,” the changes that glide past in the windows of the vehicles or the lenses of the tired exploring eyes create a story. All along, it is noticeable that there is a marked decrease in forest and bust cover as one heads towards the direction of civilization (Beard 76). Trees, vegetation cover become dull, and the lifeless fallen plantations of the land begin to show an evident presence. Meeting of people with more clothing cover as one heads to the direction of the elite as well as the smoke covering the atmosphere from the moving vehicles in towns paint a of an inevitable change caused by a human being in the quest for making a sustainable home; a home that will stand the test of the changing times. All these and more were for sure a discovery made by Grogan, and many other people of the present times, who seek to gain knowledge on the driving factors towards human actions or inaction (Beard 123). From the response by the online circle of friends, the story of this trek give the assertion that human beings are naturally engineered to be territorial in their day to day activities and life events. The most basic example of this concept is the fact that all those who are born, grow and become adults as they age along, would want to, at some point in their lives, to acquire and own an item, a place, or people. Apparently, the very frameworks of the social structures of the human societies usually inculcate it. Families are structured in such a way that the father and mother not only control the family, but also own and direct items and other members of the family to such a point that they are able to have their own. The circle is such a continuous one that if one fails to attain what is considered as the norm, they become focus for scrutiny. This is because; the culture demands that at some point in one’s life, they ought to be able to own something (Beard 21). All these are the results of a conglomeration of pieces of cultural practices and form the pillars for creation of governments, organizations and communities. Human beings will always strive to own a territory, have control of a particular region and link their identities to such things. It is worth noting at this point that a deviation from a culture is a deviant scenario and is never viewed in less critical perspective. When the white man steps to Africa, analyzes the situations and observes the kinds of benefits they can attain from having a piece of the unexploited pie, they create a territorial strategy of doing things. The step directs many minds to believe that indeed, at any time, from the Stone Age to the technologically advanced ages humans have always strived to create a territory for themselves in a bid to have a sustainable and self-perpetuating means of survival (Beard 101). Moreover, by the virtue of the fact that at any time there is any discussion on the visitation by extraterrestrial organisms or aliens, the discussion extends to the very extremes and involve, to some extent, some of the most powerful and nations of the world (Beard 88). It is because of the fear of the unknown. Therefore there are people working day and night doing research on any effect such event may have on our territory; the earth. When one relates the territorial nature of the human being to the quest to acquire sustainable development, it is possible to note that there is a link and interconnection between sustainability, the culture of competitiveness and the characteristic of being territorial. If one comes and takes other person’s piece of land or firm, being that it is the source of livelihood, it will be upon the victim to try as much as possible to defend their property and territory (Beard 181). Taking about competition takes into account the perspective of one being able to fight or struggle to reach the desired levels to superiority. Organizations may give it a soft term such as gaining competitive advantage in the market. However, the same aspect involves the market as the territory and the competing organizations or companies as the territorial entities or parties. Apparently, these represent the culture of human beings since all the policies and strategies are formulated and implemented by the human beings themselves (Beard 132). To some extent, the responses for the circle tend to depict the culture and nature of human beings as being selfish. The majority of responses defend this assertion by the fact that at the very onset of events, groups of people, individuals, companies, countries or the human population as a whole, will advocate or take a course of action that will be of benefit to them before thinking of how the action will affect the others. It is for this reason that it is a justifiable step to, and with great care, generally consider human beings as being innately selfish. Works cited Beard, Peter H. The End of the Game: The Last Word from Paradise : a Pictorial Documentation of the Origins, History & Prospects of the Big Game in Africa. Hong Kong: Taschen, 2008. Print. Read More