My own diagnosis of my problem is a simpler one. It's that I share 50 per cent of my genome with a banana and 98 per cent with a chimpanzee. Banana's don't do psychological consistency. And the tiny part of us that's different - the special Homo sapiens bit - is faulty. It doesn't work. Sorry about that.
In the book "Engleby" by Sebastian Faulks, the narrator reflects on the complexities of human nature and identity through an insightful analysis of genetics. They note the surprising similarities humans share with other species, specifically mentioning that humans share half their genetic material with bananas and nearly all with chimpanzees. This comparison highlights the random and often flawed nature of our psychological constructs.
The narrator suggests that the small genetic differences that mark us as Homo sapiens may be the root cause of our psychological inconsistencies. They imply a sense of resignation towards this inherent flaw in human nature, acknowledging that the very traits that make us unique can sometimes lead to dysfunction. It’s a thought-provoking commentary on what it means to be human and the challenges that arise from our biological makeup.
