MAN? BUT THEN…

Man has taken tremendous strides towards Progress ever since he descended from the treetops.
But then, the price he has paid for this very progress is the thoughtless shredding of the fragile fabric of ecological balance.

Man has shown immense potential in the way he has harnessed the forces of Mother Nature.
But then, he has created nuclear bombs that threaten his very existence.

Man has turned desert into fertile land.
But then, he has mindlessly been eroding into the rainforests for short-term profits, thus, playing havoc with the global weather patterns.

Man has saved the Gharial from certain extinction.
But then, by his indiscriminate acts, forced many species of flora and fauna over the brink of extinction, irrevocably.

Man has learnt to conquer and eradicate diseases like smallpox.
But then, he has also learnt to make biological weapons that can unleash scourges on Mankind.

Man has discovered life-saving drugs like antibiotics, etc.
But then, he has also discovered drugs like heroin.

Man has created social awareness by highlighting the sordid economic backwardness that spawns illiteracy, child-labour etc., and has taken remedial steps to alleviate these lesser fortunate brethren from their misery.
But then, Man has always tried to perpetuate the very same sorry state of affairs to serve his immediate short-term gains in terms of votes, cheap unorganized labour, greater monetary profits, etc.

Ultimately, this puts me in a predicament: Am I to feel proud that I am a Man, or, should I feel ashamed to be one?