Control

[Martin Hash]

Control is a product of evolution. It is a psychological trait instituted through physical means - hormones like testosterone and adrenaline, released into the bloodstream which evoke controlling behavior. An individual of a species that has control over their environment lives longer, breeds more, and has increasing intelligence. Conversely, lack of control causes individual stress, releasing endorphins, which exacts almost the opposite penalties: shorter live, lack of breeding opportunities, and decrease in brain function - which is why it is in human evolutionary best interest to not be stressed, and why the human species is naturally selected to seek control at an individual level. Control is a fundamental, base manifestation of our most primitive survival instincts.

Control comes with a menu of techniques. Obvious power-grabs via bullying and dominating pressure are commonly employed by those looking to dictate their surroundings. Less provocative methods of gaining control are the simple rise in social or business hierarchy through meritocracy or politics. However, people sometimes us obtuse means to gain control of a social situation by exploiting the courtesy of others, such as claiming subjective aliments such as allergies, or food preferences, which can be tailored to manipulate the host. Whatever social convention of etiquette may be outwardly exhibited by a person, it is certain that the person’s true and ultimate intention will be to gain control over their own lives, and by corollary, gain control over the lives of others.

At a more ephemeral level, actual control is not really required to achieve the physical benefits – perceived control is just as effective. The illusion of control is enough, the fantasy of control where people imagine they have control over their lives through mystical means. Religion offers this satisfaction, which is why religion is so popular. As long as people think an unseen supreme-being acknowledges their control, that is enough to keep the endorphins in abeyance, and sometimes release the adrenaline. Removing the lack of control, as science does, by explaining how things work and therefore made controllable, is also effective. Another rather human response to lack of control is to ignore it: Sigmund Freud recognized that, “people tend to block out what they can’t control.”