BY
Joanna Hu

The UrbanWire Editorial Admin

Hype Issue #59

Published on

August 30, 2024

Photo taken from Canva.

Scrolling through social media these days can feel too much like navigating a battlefield – vicious debates popping up faster than you can scroll, with death threats flooding the comment section at the first hint of a controversial opinion. Traditional media offers little reprieve, highlighting the stark realities of our world with its focus on major global events such as the many ongoing wars and riots.

With globalisation and advancements in technology, the world is  connected more than ever, and yet, it feels like we have never been more divided. Perhaps, in these divisive times, the first step to a more harmonious world is finding the common ground that we all share, unhindered by borders and beliefs. So, what exactly is it that unites us in this era of division?

A Love For Food

“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” – James Beard, Chef and cookbook author.

Photo taken from Freepik

Food is one of the most basic physiological needs that unites all living beings. But more than that, it is a universal language that transcends cultures, a love that is shared by all of humanity. For centuries, people around the world have devoted immense care and effort to perfecting the flavours, textures, and presentation of food. Regardless of where in the world you are, mealtimes are more than routine – they are an expression of love, an opportunity to spend time with friends and family, and a time to enjoy one of the simple joys of life. 

Interestingly, strikingly similar dishes have appeared in different parts of the world, showing that despite our surface differences, we share remarkably similar ideas. Dumplings are a great example of this phenomenon, existing in various forms across Asia and Latin America.

 Variations of dumplings across the world. Infographic from the Momoway website.

Whether you “eat to live” or “live to eat”, it is undeniable that food is a source of comfort, satisfying not only our taste buds but also one of our most essential needs, allowing us to thrive and look forward to tomorrow.

An Appreciation For The Arts

“The earth without art is just eh.” – Demetri Martin, comedian and actor.

Photo taken from Freepik.

Since the dawn of humanity, art has been a staple in human life. It is a way to communicate and express sentiments that words alone cannot fully capture, and is a lasting record of our people, culture, and way of life. Art is a reflection of our lives, experiences, and identity, and has been celebrated and cherished by people all over the world for millennia. 

When we think of art, visual art like painting, sculpting, and architecture are often the first to come to mind. These mediums have been integral to human life for as long as humanity has existed, from the primitive cave paintings of the Stone Age to the grand, sprawling paintings of the Sistine Chapel. It is also through these artworks that we can learn about the lives of those who came before us, bridging the gaps left behind by time. 

Of course, the performing arts such as dance and music are not to be forgotten either, being a vital part of many cultures’ celebrations, rituals, traditions, and entertainment. Despite their stylistic differences, many cultures’ performing arts share common threads in their meaning. For instance, the storytelling nature of the Hawaiian Hula and Indian Bharatanatyam, or the Christian hymns and Buddhist chants to worship a higher power.

A church choir. Photo taken from Pixabay.

Many cultures share similar musical instruments as well. Flutes are a prime example, having emerged independently in various cultures, from the Western concert flute to the Chinese dizi, Indian bansuri, and Greek pan flute. Even our ancestors from Neanderthal times played similar instruments, as evidenced by a 60,000-year-old bone flute that was discovered in Divje babe.

Neanderthal flute made from the thigh bone of a cave bear. Photo taken from the Archaeological Park Divje Babe website.

In today’s world, art continues to unite people both within and across cultures.Think of popular musicians like Blackpink or Taylor Swift. Millions of fans from all over the world enjoy their music, even when many of them may not understand the language. In the world of division that we live in, art offers a much-needed common ground, where differences in language, style, and culture can be celebrated and appreciated by all. 

Fundamental Human Desires

“The greatest gift in life is to be remembered.” – Ken Venturi, World Golf Hall of Fame golfer.

At its core, the driving force of humanity is a set of fundamental desires that we all share. We want to be remembered, to leave a lasting mark on the world. We seek love and connection, and strive to find a purpose and sense of belonging. These are not just superficial desires – according to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, they are deep-rooted psychological motivators that drive human behaviour.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory, which states that humans’ basic survival needs have to be fulfilled before the higher-level psychological and self-fulfilment needs. Photo taken from SimplyPsychology

These psychological needs are the foundation of humanity. Everyone, be they artists, inventors, or simply regular people, is guided by this desire to be loved, admired, and remembered, perhaps even beyond their lifetimes. Humans are social creatures, after all, and our quest for love and admiration often spurs us to strive towards bigger and better things, so that at the end of it all, we can know that our relatively short existence had meaning.

Photo taken from Pinterest. 

While these desires may manifest in different ways across cultures and individuals, they stem from the same human need for love, purpose, and connection. Divided by borders and beliefs, we are all still human, driven by these innate motivations that unites us all as a species.

Putting it all together  

Of course, finding common ground does not mean that our grievances and disagreements will magically disappear. The world is a complex place, and society even more so. Standing on common ground will not prevent us from clashing over a thousand other issues and opinions. 

Beyond finding common ground, what really matters is our ability to acknowledge and respect our differences, even when we may not fully understand or agree. After all, as long as these differences are causing no harm, why stir up unnecessary conflict? Besides, differences are what makes life interesting – imagine how boring the world would be if we were all exactly the same. 

Finding common ground does not mean that we have to be best friends, nor does it mean that we will never disagree. Disagreements are part and parcel of life, something that we will  all experience, and perhaps that is yet another thing we have in common. But in the end, friendship does not have to be the goal. Instead, we should focus on cultivating respect and building relationships that allow us to coexist peacefully, working together towards a better version of society – and ourselves.