Community

What happens when a neighborhood is suddenly hit with a major snow storm? The watchful person can see human community while shoveling. Like other primate groups, humans revert to their basic, perceived roles in the community under distress. The expansive community members shovel extra lanes for their neighbors and seem to relish the forced social interactions with other neighbors who are out tending to their property. Many retire behind blinds and curtains. They wait for those moments when they can get out and shovel alone without any interaction. One shovels out his car meticulously and steps over large mounds in front of an elderly neighbor's house. He then places a barrel or crate in the spot when he drives away. Though he shares the street with his neighbors, he is unwilling to share his labor. Another may shovel out all his neighbors just because he wants to. Others simply don't shovel at all and live with encrusted stairs for weeks after the storm. Watching and learning from the human community around you can teach you a great deal about yourself and your place in the Universe.