We are all genetically unique but part of the same human species – still, I tend to think people are mostly different than the same underneath it all..though societal forces are such that many sublimate their quirks in favor of acceptance.

@Simone_De_Beauvoir I find this very interesting, but also odd that we might be unique but that the latter is repressed by the societal force which you mention which also happens to be common wherever in the world you go?

Differently the same. Or – uniquely different.

GQ.

I would like to think that my kids are special. I, am probably not.

But I think that humans are all essentially the same.

@Symbeline Evolutionarily speaking, it has been necessary for people to go with the societal flow – now that we have progressed, our bodies and brains are slower to catch up.

@zenele It doesn’t matter how or why, but kids are always special. So if you’re not special now, you were at one time. :)

@Simone_De_Beauvoir I agree with this, but I’m not sure what we’re supposed to catch up to. (That probably proves your point even more, right? XD )

@Symbeline We’re supposed to catch up to whatever it is we’re doing that transcends our biology.

@Simone_De_Beauvoir How does one figure that?

Physically, we are all slightly different. But compared to the vast majority of other animal and plant life, I’d say we are close enough to call us the same.

Intellectually, we couldn’t be more different if we actively tried. I think our intellectual differences strengthen us as a species, even with wars and religion and all that, we have art and creation and science to counterbalance it.

^ I am very attracted to you right now.

Agreed. I’ll change back to Sisko for you – if you talk some more smart stuff.

@Symbeline Simple: live your life…don’t have kids just because you think you should, don’t get married just because you should be with someone…risk your life instead of competing against others for one…etc.

@zenele Oooooh, so tempting! But it’s getting late and I have to get up at like 4:30am to beat the heat and tend the animals… Simultaneously I can’t resist The Sisko… If you want more of my intellectual geeking I recommend reading the debate Laureth and I had a few hours ago about organic food. Until tomorrow, adieu! ~~~~

Collin Raye said it best in her song, “I laugh, I love, I hope, I try, I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry. And I know you do the same things too, So we’re really not that different, me and you.”

@dynamicduo Parting is such sweet sorrow. I am reading the thread – thanks babes.

You are almost…. Jeruba like.

* sigh *

I think we are more similar in our wants and needs than we are willing to admit but at the same time we are all unique in our true desires, talents and abilities.

I feel we are all the same essentially. When you see a group of people, they look and think differently, but none of them are original in their thoughts and actions. I can think of an exception when it comes to making progressive changes in society, someone had to come up with the new ideas that flourish today.

@Blackberry Do they need to be – if the point of ‘most people’ was to come up with original thoughts and actions, nothing would ever get done.

In the grand scheme of things we are all the same. Break it down and we are all somewhat different. Our faith, hope, desires, goals, personalities, intelligence, looks, smell, outlook, and of course DNA.

@Simone_De_Beauvoir I can’t really expound on this idea because I haven’t thought much of it. But in my opinion, the change you are referring to that prevents things from staying the same is where the people as a whole (or majority I mean) decide to change because they want the change, and that notion of wanting the change is not original.

I do not know if that sounds clear, I’m kind of tired lol

What I mean is that the ideas and following actions to make a particular change are original when they first arise, but the act of progress is nothing new because progress has been around since the beginning of time, essentially.

Shit man…I don’t know, haha…....

@Blackberry No, that makes more sense than the comment that preceded it

You are an individual just like everybody else.

@tinyfaery Bwahahaha. Awesome.

I pick C. Both. On a larger scale, in the grander scheme of things, and in a metaphorical sense, we are all the same. People like to say this because of the unifying characteristic; it increases empathy and understanding. However, on the smaller scale, we are all unique. Physically, of course, no two people look exactly alike, but also mentally and emotionally, no two people are exactly the same. People like to say this because it makes everyone look like a special individual, and it’s true. Both are true. In some ways, we are all the same, and in other ways we are all unique. It depends on the scale.

@DominicX

Yep, the ‘special’ not ‘special’ polarity as I like to call it. lol

live your life…don’t have kids just because you think you should, don’t get married just because you should be with someone…risk your life instead of competing against others for one

@Simone_De_Beauvoir I love that! Thank you for saying that to all of us!

The unique combination of heredity and environment should allow us to be much more independent in our behaviour and accomplishments than our society allows.

Yes, genetically all human beings are almost identical. While it seems that this isn’t the case when we compare cultures, here’s an interesting observation made by psychologist Martin Seligman. There are six core virtues recognized in all cultures around the globe: wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance and transcendence.

We are all unique in our own way, NO two people are exactly the same. This may sound funny but our personalities are just as unique as our fingerprints, we are like snowflakes (lol).

Agreed with @Cruiser , who could not have said it better!

Let me put it this way: when someone tells you that you are one in a million, that just means there are a thousand people just like you in China.