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Survive + Replicate + Contribute (SRC)
November 7, 2008Have you answered the age old question of what is your purpose in life? Well, my wandering mind discovered how people live their lives…
The Survive + Replicate+ Contribute Structure.
I am a minimalist. I love to simplify things. Like, know the life’s purpose in three steps? This idea is not totally mine. It is a mixture of theories and philosophies namely: Maslow’s Hierarhy of Needs, Evolution Theory, Kaballah.
Comparison of Theories and Philosophies
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs - You can actually group Maslow’s 5 needs according to SRC: Physiological, Safety=Survival. Love =Replicate. Self-esteem, Self Actualization=Contribute
Evolution Theory - States that all organisms thrive to survive then replicate
Kaballah - It says your life has three vital areas Health, Wealth, Love which is equivalent to Survive, Contribute and Replicate respectively,
SRC Structure: Theory And Application
Survive
Theory
To survive is the first thing any human being has to do. He/She has to have air to breathe, plus food, water, shelter. The need to establish stability and consistency in a chaotic world is the primary concern of any person.
Application
We eat, drink to survive. We try to attain the best education, the highest paying job we can get. We want security to live another day.
Replicate
Theory
It is an innate need of any organism to replicate itself. Plants do it, animals too. Humans consciously do it. Even the virus in your nose right now is trying to replicate itself that’s why an ordinary cold takes a few days to mend.
Application
After your have the capability to feed yourself. Got a secured job, what do people usually do? They settle down. Marry. Have kids. Have a nice dysfunctional family.
Contribute
Theory
The Evolution Theory where I largely based this idea doesn’t have this “contribute” thing and that is its biggest criticism especially by religious groups. I’m not going to debate if God truly exist here but religious groups are right about one thing, Human beings are not just physical systems; we have rich mental lives, humans don’t just eat and have sex. We are mental beings, we think, we ponder, we have the will to live.
I used the word “contribute” because I believe that every person has a moral obligation of contributing even the littlest thing in his or her stay on earth…and I mean positive contribution (you were thinking of becoming the most famous serial killer as your contribution eh?).
Application
Having a family is usually where the road ends for most of us. But for some they strive to be the best singer, treat sick children, advocate peace even the best father to his child.
Living the SRC Structure
Now that you get the theory, here is an example of how the SRC applies to normal life:
Birth of Juan
Survive
Juan supported by his family as he grows up.
Juan studies at school for at least 14 years straight just to teach him how to live the real world.
Juan works as a doctor.
Replicate
Juan Meets Maria.
Juan Marries Maria.
Juan raise kids with Maria.
End.
Contribute
But wait, since Juan has dreams and passions…
It doesn’t end there. Juan doesn’t just want to be a doctor, he wants to help the poor through his knowledge and talent.
So Juan joins a NGO that conducts medical missions to far flung places in the Philippines .
Simple as that you are already applying the SRC structure. It’s not a sure way to catapult yourself to heaven, but I guess you now have rough sketch on how people usually live their lives.
My UP professor once quoted a known Filipino statesman (was it Carlos P. Romulo?) that you only need to do three things to have a FULFILLED LIFE.
1. Write a book (a memoir of your SURVIVAL).
2. Bear a child (an evidence of your REPLICATION).
3. Plant a tree (a mark of your CONTRIBUTION).
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