Q: We’re all the same… essentially. Agree? Disagree? And, what evidence do you have to support your answer?

A: We have more in common with one another than anything else in the entire Cosmos. The genetic differences between every living human is less than the difference between Chihuahuas and Huskies. We all have the same biological heritage and we all float on the same tiny ball in an unimaginably vast ocean of space. If you consider all of the various forms of matter and the possibilities of existence, you can begin to see just how much we truly have in common. One person may like lasagna with meat, one person may like it without meat, but every person that ever existed would eat a bowl of it if they were hungry.

Here’s what I’ve come up with so far:

• “Within You Without You” by the Beatles
• “The Warmth” by Incubus
• “Make You Feel That Way” by Blackalicious
• “Float On” by Modest Mouse
• “A Dream” by Common
• “Bowl of Oranges” by Bright Eyes
• “The Heart of Life” by John Mayer
• “I Know I’m Not Alone” by Michael Franti & Spearhead
• “Meant to Live” by Switchfoot
• “Hold Me Now” by Polyphonic Spree
• “I Can Walk on Water” by Basshunter
• “One” by U2
• “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley
• “I Believe” by Joe Satriani
• “Rooftops” by Lostprophets
• “If Everyone Cared” by Nickelback
• “Earth Heals Herself” by Buckethead

You may see this list and think it has some glaring omissions. There are only a few hip-hop songs, there are zero country songs, and most of them are rock(ish) tunes from the past ten years. Please help me fix that. I don’t want to focus on one particular genre. There is so much good music out there and I know I’m either ignorant of it or it’s just slipping my mind.

Q: What does your worldview say about cooperation & conflict, if anything?

A: I am Gaian. I believe that everyone is intimately related, which is why we are so contentious at times. I believe we are connected to the Earth, and our actions directly affect our environment. I believe that cooperation supersedes conflict. I believe in all religions as long as they create no conflict. I believe the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, but I do not believe this rationale should be used to discriminate. I believe it is everyone’s responsibility to help others. I also believe it is possible for us to cooperate even in the face of extremism and division, and that we absolutely must learn to do so before it destroys us all.