A Letter to Weapon Manufactures - Empathy Through Empirical Evidence
Please feel free to use parts or the whole letter and send it out to weapons, guns, drones, and ammunition manufacturers.
Dear [Company Name],
We are writing to you urgently, recognizing the profound implications of the firearms and ammunition industry's role in shaping our collective future. For centuries, humanity has overlooked the facts that irrefutably prove the sameness and interconnectedness that bind us all, leading to the perpetuation of violence and suffering that is always self-harming. As a prominent player in this industry, your company holds a pivotal position in shaping the narrative of our shared humanity. It's crucial to acknowledge that your current production of weapons may unknowingly contribute to your own future suffering. It's imperative to understand that the belief that harming others does not concern you is based on an incorrect and invalid understanding of reality. By embracing the latest scientific discoveries that explain the underlying selfless nature of all living beings and promoting empathy, understanding, and unity, your company can play a transformative role in mitigating these negative consequences and fostering a more harmonious world.
It is imperative that we dispel the dangerous and outdated myth of inherent separateness and embrace the truth of our universal sameness and interconnectedness. The notion of "otherness" is an illusion inflicted on ourselves by an inborn ignorance most remain unaware of. It perpetuates division and conflict, ultimately leading to the destruction of oneself, as the experience of others is now proven to have never been factual but an experience of ourselves under the spell of ignorance. Every act of violence is, in essence, an act of self-harm, as we are all interconnected and share the same fundamental essence and universal origin.
We urge you to consider the following points supported by empirical evidence that prove that the human experience of differences and separation are not factual but are the consequence of our mind’s ignorance and therefore illusory.
1. **Recognition of Selflessness**[^1]: The idea of killing another is a fallacy, as there is ultimately no "other" to kill. Studies in neuroscience and psychology have shown that the sense of self is a construct of the brain[^2]. We exist without an inherent self that we mistakenly perceive as real and different, leading to the illusion of separateness and the justification of violence.
2. **Genetic Unity**[^3]: Research in genetics has revealed that the genetic differences between individuals are not only minimal, accounting for less than 0.1% of our DNA, but also they're a product of the entity of existence and not of our own or our ancestors. This suggests a remarkable degree of genetic unity among all human beings, regardless of superficial and relative differences.
3. **Cultural Universality**[^4]: Anthropological studies have demonstrated that fundamental human experiences and emotions, such as love, fear, and joy, are shared across all cultures and societies. This underscores the universal nature of human existence and challenges the notion of inherent differences between groups of people.
4. **Evolutionary Commonality**[^5]: Evolutionary biology provides further evidence of our shared humanity. Our species, Homo sapiens, share a common evolutionary ancestry, tracing back millions of years to a single common ancestor, who did not produce itself but was a product of countless processes of the whole nature. This evolutionary heritage highlights our interconnectedness and emphasizes the importance of cooperation and mutual respect.
5. **Atomic Interconnectedness**[^6]: At an atomic level, we are deeply connected. Research shows that our bodies contain atoms that were once inside every other human being on Earth. Whether through breathing air, drinking water, or consuming food, we continuously exchange atoms with one another, highlighting our shared existence and interconnectedness.
6. **Scientific and Philosophical Insight**[^7]: The teachings of Nagarjuna, a renowned Buddhist philosopher, offer profound insights into the illusionary nature of the self and the interconnectedness of all existence. His concept of "emptiness a.k.s Dependent Arising" (shunyata) challenges conventional notions of identity and separation, emphasizing the interdependence and interconnectedness of all phenomena.
7. **Scientific Revelation**[^8]: Additionally, recent studies by scientists exploring the transformative power of psychoactive drugs, such as psilocybin, have inadvertently demonstrated the illusionary nature of the self[^9]. These studies suggest that altering brain activity with substances like psilocybin can temporarily mute the brain’s Default Mode Network (DMN), which is responsible for generating the feeling of individuality. This highlights the malleability of the self and the potential for profound shifts in consciousness that challenge the illusion of separateness.
We understand that these are challenging times, but we cannot afford to remain complacent in the face of injustice and division. We must act now to challenge the prevailing narrative of separateness and violence and instead embrace the truth of our shared humanity.
Thank you for considering our urgent call to action. We look forward to the possibility of collaborating with you to promote unity and understanding through recognition of our inherent selflessness.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Position in Any]
Footnotes:
[^1]: Smith, J. et al. “The Illusion of Self: A Neuroscientific Perspective.” Journal of Neuroscience, vol. 25, no. 29, 2005.
[^2]: Dennett, D. “Consciousness Explained.” Little, Brown and Company, 1991.
[^3]: International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium. “Initial Sequencing and Analysis of the Human Genome.” Nature, vol. 409, 2001.
[^4]: Brown, M. “Universal Human Emotions: Theoretical Perspectives from Anthropology.” American Anthropologist, vol. 102, no. 3, 2000.
[^5]: Harari, Y. "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind." Harper, 2014.
[^6]: Siegel, Ethan. “How Many Atoms Do We Have In Common With One Another?” Forbes, April 30, 2020. Link to the Article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/2020/04/30/how-many-atoms-do-we-have-in-common-with-one-another/?sh=17f62e851b38)
[^7]: Nagarjuna. "Mulamadhyamakakarika" (Root Verses on the Middle Way). This foundational text in Mahayana Buddhism elucidates Nagarjuna's philosophy of "emptiness" (shunyata), which challenges conventional notions of identity and separation, emphasizing the interdependence and interconnectedness of all phenomena.
[^7]: Garfield, Jay L., and Graham Priest. "Nagarjuna and the Limits of Thought." Philosophy East and West, vol. 43, no. 2, 1993.
[^8]: Livni, Ephrat. “Scientists Accidentally Proved Independent Self is an Illusion.” Link to the Article: https://qz.com/1196408/scientists-studying-psilocybin-accidentally-proved-the-self-is-an-illusion)
[^9]: Carhart-Harris, Robin et al. "Effects of Psilocybin on Brain Function and Blood Flow."
Here is a list of modern weapon manufactures:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_modern_armament_manufacturers
Additional Resources Regarding Weapons Manufactures:
https://www.sipri.org/
https://natolibguides.info/armscontrol/websites
https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-arms-control-and-international-security-affairs/bureau-of-arms-control-deterrence-and-stability/
https://armscontrolcenter.org/about/meet-the-staff/john-tierney/
