Is it human nature to leave a a lasting impresion in either writing, buildings etc.

[Quintos]

Is it human nature to leave a a lasting impresion? Ever since the dawn of time since the hieroglyphics of Egypt humans have been leaving things for others to see do you guys believe that this is part of human nature and that it is basically a built in instinct just about every civilization and group of people(ethnic or religious groups) have shown this tendency in my opinion the Romans,Muslims,and Egyptians for the example Pharaohs pyramids and cave writing on walls made by "cavemen" Cro-Magnom or other ancient people clearly show this characteristic most other animals generally lack this quality of wanting to leave some thing to "eternalize" you or your people something that could be their for an unforeseen length of time. Some of these things serve no real pratical purpose and some of the others are built for a reason.

[Prussian]

Interesting question.

Yes I believe it is in our instinctual nature to attempt to leave a lasting impression, no doubt. I believe this need or desire to practice such habits on broad basis stems from expression of one's thoughts in various forms, regardless of the medium or fashion used to shape the initial idea into a manifestation of will.

I also tend to think that such practices are largely due to ihow the human brain functions & thus as a result how our thoughts are shaped depending on the environment that impacts upon us. But yes I believe there is a major instinct within us all to somehow leave our mark in someway or another. Whether it be on an individual or a group basis, small or grand expression, the motivation is present.

[Awar]

I'd just like to add that I believe it's in the nature of some humans, but not all.
These individuals who have an ability to plan far ahead, and the urge to create
have always and everywhere been civilization-builders.

[Gil]

Yes, and to add to what Awar said, the "civilization builders" are mainly of two types: the warrior and the scholar, most of the times the two "help" each other and very rarely one figure is the two things at the same time.

[Carnyx]

And it's also in the nature of some human to destroy what was made by our forefathers. I can see a lot of this sort of people nowadays, I could even find more destructors than creators among human beings. Duality of human nature.

Cro-Magnom or other ancient people clearly show this characteristic most other animals generally lack this quality of wanting to leave some thing to "eternalize" you or your people

But do you consider the fact that the human being leaves lasting impression make him superior to other animals? I doubt it.

[Gil]

I believe that "cultural expressions" makes humans a unique animal, not superior, in the same way that alot of animals are able to pronounce/emit sounds but only we have created a vocabulary (yes, I know certain primates have a form of basic vocal interaction but not even close to what our ancestors might have had)

[Carnyx]

Originally Posted by Manji

I believe that "cultural expressions" makes humans a unique animal, not superior, in the same way that alot of animals are able to pronounce/emit sounds but only we have created a vocabulary (yes, I know certain primates have a form of basic vocal interaction but not even close to what our ancestors might have had)

I agree. We are uniques, not superiors. However we aren't more uniques than other species. Certain Amphibians are able to emit a broad panel of different sounds and they actually communicate (and it is not prattling). As you've just said, certain primates can express themselves, I would say they can express themselves much better than some humans who use borborigmes. But is there a "Whale culture" or a "Primate culture"? It might be the difference, I don't know.

For the moment I would say that leaving a lasting impression is Human. Typically human... who knows?

[Quintos]

Hello everybody I know its been about a week or so since I put this up but what I meant by leaving a lasting impresion isnt necesarily leaving a culture or civilization nor did it have to be something of grandeur just simple something that some one will see in say 200 years and mabey they will say hmm some one was here for example when you write your name on a park bench or ech your name on a rock of course this "I was here" part of human nature can be applied to the pyramids and leftovers of civilizations I know I have displayed this part of human nature have you guys?