You may know that I'm a proud Canadian. In the Hive learners community I've also met many awesome Nigerians. However, if you were to take 100 people at random from either country and asked "Which country would you prefer to live in?" My guess is that Canada would be preferred.
But why?
It's certainly not the weather. Who would want to live in a place that is too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter.
It's not because of our history (we barely have one) or culture (our culture is basically a mix-up of every nation on earth).
It's not because we are the most developed or most advanced. The Japanese, Chinese and Europeans have us beat on that front handily.
Why would I say Canada is better?
Trust
and the other part of trust..
Rules
Canada is a country where the rule of law is followed by everyone. From our Prime Minister to our citizens. We expect our police and judges to enforce and respect those rules. We can trust our contracts to be honored, we trust our neighbors to follow the rules, we trust the products we buy will follow standards, we trust our politicians to work for the good of the country.
I recently read an article from a fellow Hive member (well, a reblogged version of it).
From @johnuko
@johnuko/why-is-our-earnings-a-threat
In his article he wrote how the Nigerian police took a person into custody and mistreated him just because he had money. Even though innocent he wasn't freed until money was paid.
Imprisoning an innocent man by the police is a total breech of trust!
Why is trust important?
People are social creatures
Don't believe me? Think of your favorite time. Perhaps a party with the family? Perhaps a date with your loved one? Maybe even just seeing a beautiful park while walking your dog. I'm just making a guess but someone's favorite time is almost always with friends.
Or perhaps just look at the Hive community. Sure making a few hive coins is nice but the real reason to be here is the community the people!
Being with other people requires that there are rules for behavior and trust that people will follow the rules.
Maybe those rules are written down (laws) or maybe they are just by social convention (unwritten rules).
Examples:
- You expect other people not to kill you (Law)
- You expect your spouse not to cheat on you (Unwritten rule)
A few examples of how trust makes things better
Who are the best politicians?
- The ones you trust to work for the good of the country
What is the best vehicle?
- One you can trust to reliably get you where you need to go
Who make the best parents?
- Ones you can trust to guide and direct their children as they grow
Who makes the best spouse
- Ones you can trust to work hard for their family unit, not just themselves.
How about sports?
- Ones you can trust to be fair and give everyone the same opportunity to win.
Who are the best workers?
- One you can trust to do their best, even when the boss isn't watching.
What destroys trust?
Breaking the rules.
- If a spouse dishonors their wedding vows they are no longer trusted.
- If a person breaks the law they are a criminal and no longer trusted.
- If a company is dishonest and their product isn't as advertised they are no longer trusted.
and the list could go on for far longer than I care to write. There is a popular saying:
"Trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair."
Trust is crucial to every good thing in my opinion. It is so hard to build and so easy to lose so that raises the question why would anyone willingly risk losing it?
Yet so many people do!
Cheating
At its core cheating is simply breaking the rules and risking losing trust if caught. Cheating can happen almost anywhere. Restaurants could cheat customers by not giving exact change or not using the quality of ingredients they say. People cheat on their taxes by lying about their income. Companies can cheat by false advertising or using substandard parts. Spouses can cheat on their marriage by finding other people or even just being selfish in their desires. Gamers can cheat by using hacks. Athletes can cheat by using performance enhancing drugs. Police can cheat by using their power to extract money from the general population.
There are just so many ways in which people can cheat others but...
Cheating ruins whatever it comes in contact with!
Have I ever encountered cheating?
Absolutely.
Anyone remember the original Diablo game?
Source: Gog.com
It was an awesome single person game. However, when I was finally able to play the online version with other players I quickly found out that the online version with rife with cheaters.
It ruined the game.
The quests were meaningless because cheaters could defeat any boss with NO Challenge. Where is the fun when there is no challenge? Anyone who wasn't cheating would be instantly killed by those that were. Where is the fun in that?
Have I been cheated in real estate?
Yup. Bought a property in the development stage. After a year of waiting I found out that the company didn't have complete rights to the development land so the project died and my investment was lost.
In a different project the real estate agent who sold me a property showed me the wrong property lines. What I thought I bought didn't match the actual property. Finding the true property lines took years and a lot of money. Felt cheated on that one.
(image is mine) --Side note. The wooden peg with red tape is added after same with the metal rod. The tiny white marker with the "C" on it was the actual property marker we had to find--in an overgrown forest.
Have I been cheated buying everyday items?
Absolutely. I bought a "lighter" in the Philippines in order to light my cookstove. It looked like a lighter but the moment you tried to use it the item broke apart and didn't work.
Or perhaps when I bought a brand new vehicle with bumper to bumper warranty. After 2 months a tire started to bulge. I then found out that the tires weren't part of the bumper to bumper warranty!
Have I been cheated in love?
Absolutely. The love of my life when I was a teenager was actually seeing 3 other guys at the same time. I didn't see her when I was studying at school only on the weekends. Seems like the other guy worked every weekend but had days off during the week. As for the third guy..well, don't know the details on him.
As much as it hurt then... I'm glad I found a much better person. It also helps knowing that she ended up divorced. (I know its mean to say and I shouldn't wish divorce on anyone...but I am human after all)
Why do people cheat?
I think it is part of human nature.
Sad to say but pretty much every person has a need for more or to be better.
- People often want MORE money.
- People often want MORE success (in business, games, power, etc)
- People often want MORE sexual experiences or maybe just want a MORE attractive partner.
Cheating is seen as a way to get what they WANT faster!
- Grinding in a game is boring, cheat and get those levels faster.
- Having a single partner is boring cheat and get multiple partners faster
- Working for power and prestige is hard work! Cheat and get it faster.
- Making a quality product and supporting it costs money! Cut corners and Cheat to lower costs.
- Becoming a world class athlete takes insane dedication and practice. Cheat and get their faster.
The truth is that cheating does work!
BUT ONLY IN THE SHORT TERM!
Examples?
A businessman who cheats will be found out eventually and lose his customers.
A spouse who cheats will be found out and lose his family. Even if he doesn't get caught he will know what he did and lose his self respect.
Police who cheat the public may gain money in the short term but weaken the country they are sworn to protect.
Politicians who cheat make themselves rich...but have to live in a weaker, less desirable country where they lose the respect of their fellow countrymen.
Athletes who cheat may win the game in the short term. However, when they are found out all their accolades and fame turn to dust in a moment.
I'd like to finish off with a quote that I like. From unknown author, sorry.
"Trust is like a delicate glass; once shattered, its pieces cannot be perfectly glued back together, and the cracks will always remain, forever affecting what it once held." - Unknown
Please don't be a cheater and break others trust.
"Trust is like a delicate glass; once shattered, its pieces cannot be perfectly glued back together, and the cracks will always remain, forever affecting what it once held." - Unknown