If you missed the critically acclaimed 2019 Colombian film, monos, directed by Alejandro Landes I highly recommend it as a modern day take on a similar dynamic. The cinematography is out of this world and the ending haunts the viewer.
Loved the ending take away: “Life has taught me a great deal,” it began, “including the lesson that you should always look for what is good and positive in people.”
I read Lord of the Flies in high school or college and remember being horrified. I certainly prefer this version. I agree with all comments that stress the importance of these boys’ upbringing and schooling. Any parent has first hand experience of the need for children to be taught kindness and sharing by example and instruction.
Heartwarming turn of events!
I’m surprised though that the Author is trying to pitch Lord of the Flies like it’s an impossibility. So far, it is observable in the world that humans are capable of both great good and great evil. Plus I didn’t realise Lord of the Flies was taken so seriously by people as “how humans will always behave on a deserted island”
Another thing is, these Tongan boys were no strangers to islands, they had a Christian and cultural background that emphasises love and community over selfishness. Let’s not think this is the norm worldwide, it is something that has to be taught. And because it is taught, we must ask ourselves why? Errhm because clearly we are not born this way!
Good comment! It's true, there's probably a lot of important background to this story that wasn't covered. And extremities should not be generalized, whether they are good or bad.
Still, I think we can say that (social) media usually emphasize the bad stuff today. Highlighting the other side once in a while is a refreshing thing.
A beautiful and groundbreaking story about the nature of humanity. I teach Lord of the Flies to my students and this is the perfect antidote to assumptions about toxic masculinity or the evil in humanity.
I think it's an appropriate categorization given the opening context of the article:
For centuries western culture has been permeated by the idea that humans are selfish creatures.
Granted, I would have liked some more elaboration from the author on that point.
Where I'm from at least the Lord of the Flies is something almost everyone reads in school at a young age and as such kind of establishes a narrative of "this is what happens in the absence of authority." A rather unfortunate fallacy that hopefully stops being repeated thanks to articles like this one bringing more awareness to the origins of the book and real life counter-examples.
Just pointing out: that experiment has also been criticized for having serious validity issues, to the point that the findings are really not representative of anything.
See also the "criticism and response" section in the Wikipedia article you linked. I remember listening to this interesting podcast about it: http://rationallyspeakingpodcast.org/show/rs-241-thibault-le-texier-on-debunking-the-stanford-prison-e.html, where an important critic (Thibault Le Texier) laments that however high-quality their critique is, this experiment has been mentioned so much that they can't destroy its embeddedness in culture anymore.
It is good to see stories that give hope and highlight the good in our world but I’m surprised though that the Author is trying to pitch Lord of the Flies like it’s an impossibility.
So far, it is observable in the world that humans are capable of both great good and great evil. Plus I didn’t realise Lord of the Flies was taken so seriously by people as “how humans will always behave on a deserted island”
Another thing is, these Tongan boys were no strangers to islands, they had a Christian and cultural background that emphasises love and community over selfishness. Let’s not think this is the norm worldwide, it is something that has to be taught. And because it is taught, we must ask ourselves why? Errhm because clearly we are not born this way!
What an epic story! It's super impressive how well the boys held up. They must have been psyched to find those chickens. We humans never would have made it this far if we weren't cooperative by nature.
What a story! I love how it starts from a question and develops into an unbelievable adventure (both for the author and the boys).
I'd have liked to see more details on life on the island, but that was not the point of the article.
I got lured in to read this after spotting the author name (and title). I remember Bregman from him cutting to the chase at the rich on the World Economic Forum (YouTube, it's gold).
This is definitely a good teaser for his book too. It's been long ago that I was excited to read a Dutch original book (my first language).
Enjoyed this Best Ever Read.
If you missed the critically acclaimed 2019 Colombian film, monos, directed by Alejandro Landes I highly recommend it as a modern day take on a similar dynamic. The cinematography is out of this world and the ending haunts the viewer.
Loved the ending take away: “Life has taught me a great deal,” it began, “including the lesson that you should always look for what is good and positive in people.”
Heartening to find the movement of science towards positivity and compassion, much needed.
I read Lord of the Flies in high school or college and remember being horrified. I certainly prefer this version. I agree with all comments that stress the importance of these boys’ upbringing and schooling. Any parent has first hand experience of the need for children to be taught kindness and sharing by example and instruction.
Heartwarming turn of events! I’m surprised though that the Author is trying to pitch Lord of the Flies like it’s an impossibility. So far, it is observable in the world that humans are capable of both great good and great evil. Plus I didn’t realise Lord of the Flies was taken so seriously by people as “how humans will always behave on a deserted island”
Another thing is, these Tongan boys were no strangers to islands, they had a Christian and cultural background that emphasises love and community over selfishness. Let’s not think this is the norm worldwide, it is something that has to be taught. And because it is taught, we must ask ourselves why? Errhm because clearly we are not born this way!
Good comment! It's true, there's probably a lot of important background to this story that wasn't covered. And extremities should not be generalized, whether they are good or bad.
Still, I think we can say that (social) media usually emphasize the bad stuff today. Highlighting the other side once in a while is a refreshing thing.
We certainly need more stories of good, hope & love :)
A beautiful and groundbreaking story about the nature of humanity. I teach Lord of the Flies to my students and this is the perfect antidote to assumptions about toxic masculinity or the evil in humanity.
Why is it groundbreaking??? Have you never cooperated or helped others before?
I think it's an appropriate categorization given the opening context of the article:
Granted, I would have liked some more elaboration from the author on that point.
Where I'm from at least the Lord of the Flies is something almost everyone reads in school at a young age and as such kind of establishes a narrative of "this is what happens in the absence of authority." A rather unfortunate fallacy that hopefully stops being repeated thanks to articles like this one bringing more awareness to the origins of the book and real life counter-examples.
The Stanford Prison Experiment is often cited in this context.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanford_prison_experiment
Just pointing out: that experiment has also been criticized for having serious validity issues, to the point that the findings are really not representative of anything.
See also the "criticism and response" section in the Wikipedia article you linked. I remember listening to this interesting podcast about it: http://rationallyspeakingpodcast.org/show/rs-241-thibault-le-texier-on-debunking-the-stanford-prison-e.html, where an important critic (Thibault Le Texier) laments that however high-quality their critique is, this experiment has been mentioned so much that they can't destroy its embeddedness in culture anymore.
It is good to see stories that give hope and highlight the good in our world but I’m surprised though that the Author is trying to pitch Lord of the Flies like it’s an impossibility.
So far, it is observable in the world that humans are capable of both great good and great evil. Plus I didn’t realise Lord of the Flies was taken so seriously by people as “how humans will always behave on a deserted island”
Another thing is, these Tongan boys were no strangers to islands, they had a Christian and cultural background that emphasises love and community over selfishness. Let’s not think this is the norm worldwide, it is something that has to be taught. And because it is taught, we must ask ourselves why? Errhm because clearly we are not born this way!
My takeaway is that truth is better than fiction.
This was important for me, it fave me hope. It is important to think about how the boys were raised and learn from that
A positive outlook in these negative times.
An uplifting story, this makes me feel good.
More relevant than ever
What a delightful doze of optimism at a time when humanity is being tore down with nonsense politics and self righteousness.
What an epic story! It's super impressive how well the boys held up. They must have been psyched to find those chickens. We humans never would have made it this far if we weren't cooperative by nature.
What a story! I love how it starts from a question and develops into an unbelievable adventure (both for the author and the boys).
I'd have liked to see more details on life on the island, but that was not the point of the article.
I got lured in to read this after spotting the author name (and title). I remember Bregman from him cutting to the chase at the rich on the World Economic Forum (YouTube, it's gold).
This is definitely a good teaser for his book too. It's been long ago that I was excited to read a Dutch original book (my first language).