My God Can Beat Up Your God

Category Ego

One of my biggest passions in this lifetime, besides spirituality, is photography, particularly nature photography.

A really common question that’s asked by people looking to get into photography, besides “Which camera should I get,” is “Which brand is better, Canon or Nikon?”

Inevitably, the argument degenerates into a flame war of people advocating their brand and trash talking the other while some other people jump in and point out that the camera is just a tool, much like a paintbrush. It’s the photographer who works the creative magic.

The debate as to which is “better” is similar to the debate of Ford vs. Chevy, Coke vs. Pepsi, Republicans vs. Democrats, and so on.

The following is a quick excerpt from a recent thread from a photography forum I frequent. See if you can notice this pattern in other areas of your life.

Question:

….but in the end, most, if not all the shots could have been taken with either [brand], which is why I never understand the tribalism that exists, and why so many people feel the need to completely bash the ‘other’ side without actually having the experience on which to base their completely useless ramblings and meaningless attacks.

My response:

It’s interesting.

What people adopt as their own and attach a sense of “me” to gets elevated in status to the point where it could become the “One True Brand” and you have the right to argue with, convert, or ultimately kill all other non-believers in a holy war in the name of your brand.

Once everyone sees it your way, then there will be peace in the world.

“I am right and I know best. My way is better. Your way is wrong.”

It doesn’t cross their mind that there might be more than one true brand.

Of course in some areas of life, this silliness is more obvious than in others.

It’s just human ego 101…

Continued Discussion | Post a Forum Comment

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5 Responses to “My God Can Beat Up Your God”

Takuin Minamoto said:

Hey Ariel,

This is all very interesting to consider. And it is all on such an obvious level of observation. It is a movement that is easy to see.

I enjoy taking photos as well, but I have no desire to believe that one brand is better than another. I have a Canon 35mm and a Sony digital, but it means nothing other than I happen to have those two cameras.

Once everyone sees it your way, then there will be peace in the world.

But inevitably, there will be someone that believes they see it better than everyone else. Haha.

Takuin Minamotos last blog post..What is Your Point of View?
Simon said:

Your tag says it all: ego. The ego needs to feel good about itself and an easy way to do this is to identify other groups which it believes to be in some way inferior to itself. Race and religion are favorite excuses for this sort of thing, but camera brand preference is less controversial these days and will do just as well. And if there was only one brand, people would argue about whether it was best to have a black one or a silver one.

You say: ‘in some areas of life, this silliness is more obvious than others’. I agree – yet sadly to most people, none of it is obvious at all. (Yet…)

Simons last blog post..The Door To The Garden
Ariel Bravy said:

Takuin: Yep. War now because the end justifies the means… or so the ego believes despite all evidence to the contrary.

Simon: You got it! It can be helpful to bring awareness to the issues so people realize the traps they’re falling into. Plus, starting with smaller examples and then allowing people to see how the same pattern is manifesting in other areas may help them be more willing to take a good look at things rather than reject it flat out from the start.
Polina said:

While the technical quality of the shot may depend on the camera, the light, the composition, the idea of the shot (what actually makes an image) depends on the photographer alone. There is no “Masterpiece” button on a camera:)

Polinas last blog post..Skin Care Q & A: Is There Anything Out There to Heal My Dry, Chapped Lips?
Mike said:

I love how you spread such high level truths with such ease and clarity in such non-spiritual arenas. Next step, end flaming on youtube comments! (not possible)

Mikes last blog post..How and why we identify ourselves with obstructions to divinity

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