The pieces that form us

A look at the concrete mechanisms of human interaction reveals quite an inefficient and undesirable ideal. An engineer might say that the human is the most horribly designed creature; if each human were a piece of machinery, the mechanic will be overwhelmed that each gear is pulsating, scratching the ones near it, and randomly erupting into flames. Quite frustratingly, each gear must be tamed, prodded, and eased into working properly. Each piece requires constant attention and maintenance; otherwise, it will quickly break down.

Perhaps the objectification of humans isn't quite fair in describing the entirety of the human experience. Where the machine is superior to man in terms of raw efficacy and power, humans make up for in their resilience and consciousness. The gears of an engine don't possess a large room for error, a small hiccup in a piston or wheel, and the entire engine collapses. On the other hand, the wide spectrum of human emotions, such as love and empathy, creates in a sense the most advanced form of lubricant. This creates a wide margin for human error, allowing gears to function even if their neighbors were rusting away. 

A possible misconception arises through the usage of such a metaphor: that all machines require an operator. A legitimate machine requires a manual, or some sort of overarching program, to inform each gear of its proper functions. However, the human machine is independent and self-operating. If a wire were to fall out of place, another would immediately replace it, constantly maintaining the cohesiveness of the entire unit. This potential allows for entire sections to blow up and fall apart, and the machine will quickly rebuild its missing parts. 

The capacity for such exquisite emotions allows for the gears of the human machines to mold and adapt to varying circumstances; when one piece is entrenched in depression and fails to operate, the nearby pieces all collaborate to mend it back together. I might even suggest that the greatest disparity between the humanistic and the mechanical is this vastness of human emotion.

Then comes the battle between differences parts of the machine. Some pieces, are undoubtedly more widely used and apparently differently colored and sized. There seems to be an overwhelming focus on the specs of all the different gears and functions. To those who focus on the criticism of the physical aspects, I have to say forget it. The war on the physical is unending, the differences between each piece will never be undermined or fully overcome. 

In this focus on the physical attributes, we have lost focus on the greatest human strength. Attention to the physical complexions specific to select groups creates a constant battle between the superiority of certain attributes. While eye color or hair texture might be distinctive qualities, emotions are universal. Perhaps we need a shift towards the more encompassing humanistic traits and expand the potential of our emotions to create a sea of "all-embracing tenderness"(Morrison)-that might be enough to diminish the value of physical characteristics. Every second spent on wallowing in the unfairness of our build or complexion is one less second that can be spent on developing a loving, appreciating character. Maybe the gears will fall into place once we emphasize what makes us human.