u/IhateEfrickingA

I don't understand why the idea that humans are inherently selfish is so controversial.

I'm not saying that humans are incapable of kindness, love, cooperation, or sacrifice. Obviously we are capable of those things. But isn't a huge part of human behavior fundamentally driven by self-interest ?

Think about how society is structured. We have armies because humans organize themselves into groups that need protection from other humans. We have police because people steal, assault, murder, and harm each other. We have prisons because some people will continue harming others if there are no consequences.

Even everyday life seems full of small examples of selfishness. People compete for money, status, jobs, relationships, resources, and social approval. We often help others when it also gives us something in return money, appreciation, social status, emotional satisfaction, or simply the feeling that we're a "good person."

And even when someone does something genuinely altruistic, couldn't it still be argued that they are satisfying an internal desire to help, feel useful, avoid guilt, or maintain their own sense of morality ?

Obviously, cooperation is also an extremely important part of human nature. But isn't cooperation itself often something that evolved because it benefits the individual and the group ?

So what exactly am I missing ?

Why do so many people reject the idea that Homo sapiens are inherently selfish, while at the same time we live in a world where we need armies, police, courts, prisons, laws, and countless social rules to prevent humans from harming one another?

You know what ? Fuck it.

I think humans are inherently evil because selfishness is at the core of our nature, and selfishness itself is one of the most evil traits a being can have.

I'm 25 years old, Romanian, and I grew up in Cyprus. I finished both gymnasium and lyceum here. I struggled in high school and didn't get good enough grades in the Pancyprian exams to get into the university program I wanted.

I originally wanted to study Computer Science, but now I'm not even sure it's worth it in Cyprus. The IT market here feels very competitive, there aren't that many opportunities, and every entry level position seems to have dozens of applicants.

I speak three languages, but my Greek isn't fluent and my English isn't perfect either. Every time I apply for an entry-level IT job, I get an interview, but after that I never hear back. Sometimes it feels like employers naturally prefer Cypriot candidates or people returning from the UK with stronger connections. I understand why, but it still makes things much harder for someone like me.

I don't have a bachelor's degree, only a 2 year diploma in Computer Technician & Networking. I'm not specialized in any trade either I'm not an electrician, plumber, forklift operator, or anything like that. I honestly don't know what career path to follow.

Living in Cyprus is also expensive, especially without a car. Public transportation makes getting around difficult. Going back to Romania isn't really an option, and I don't see much of a future in Western Europe either. My parents are in a difficult financial situation, I don't own a house or apartment, and I have basically no savings.

One of my biggest fears is reaching 30 years old still working physically demanding, low-paying jobs and ending up with chronic back pain while still having no real career.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? What did you do ? If you were starting over at 25 with almost no money and no clear specialization, what path would you choose ?

I'd really appreciate any advice. ( Sorry for the random post I just really need some kind of advice and I thought r/cyprus was the spot for that the rest subreddits are mainly americans )

Здравейте

На 25 години съм и имам нужда от съвет.

Роден съм в България и живях там до 10 годишна възраст. След това се преместих с родителите ми в Кипър, където завърших училище.

След гимназията не успях да издържа приемните изпити за държавен университет в Кипър. Родителите ми нямаха възможност да плащат обучението ми в частен университет, затова започнах работа. На 21 години се върнах в България, защото исках да уча на български. Записах инженерство в Русенския университет, но след две години се отказах. Междувременно завърших и 2 годишна програма по Computer Technician и Networking в Кипър.

Сега отново съм в Кипър. Работя, но заплатата не е добра. Нямам почти никакви спестявания и чувствам, че изоставам. Родителите ми вече са възрастни и искам да мога да им помагам. В момента се опитвам да изкарам шофьорска книжка, защото без кола тук е много трудно.

Замислям се дали като план Б да не се преместя в София. Притесняват ме високите наеми и това, че ще съм сам и все още нямам изградена кариера. От друга страна, знам, че там има повече възможности и добър градски транспорт.

Ако бяхте на мое място, какво бихте направили? Бихте ли останали в Кипър или бихте опитали да започнете отначало в София ?

Благодаря предварително на всички, които ще споделят мнение.

I've been wondering something for a long time: how do you stop being so pessimistic ?

Every time I see injustice, corruption, wars, greed, or people treating each other horribly, I can't stop thinking about it. Then I look at history and realize that so many of these problems have always existed. It feels like humanity never really changes.

Sometimes I think we're just intelligent animals driven by selfishness and greed. Those traits helped us survive and build civilization, but I also feel like they'll eventually destroy it.

What I don't understand is how some people stay optimistic. Are they genuinely happy because they've had loving parents, good education, financial stability, good friends, good mental health, and maybe even good genetics ? Or are they just coping like everyone else but choosing not to think about the darker parts of life ?

When I was younger (7-23 years of age ), I believed God had a plan for everyone. That belief gave me comfort. Then one day I realized I didn't believe that anymore, and since then I've struggled with the idea that life might not have any inherent meaning.

I also became interested in politics, and all I seem to see are empty promises, misinformation, polarization, and a lack of education. The justice system often feels unfair. The world feels unfair. And my brain seems to remember every terrible thing happening in the world instead of the good.

I don't actually want to be this negative. I wish I were an optimistic person. But my mind constantly focuses on suffering, both in the world and in my own life.

Has anyone here been like this and genuinely changed ? How did you stop seeing everything through such a pessimistic lens without simply lying to yourself ?

My car has to go to mechanic because these cheeky scummy little bastards that are putting water into the fuel.
Which companies/gas stations who are located in Nicosia don't do that ? Any advice ?
Thanks

El Nino is coming what are we going to do with the water and everything ?

Hypothetical question.

Let's say it's 2029 and Erdogan, or another Turkish leader, decides to escalate tensions in Cyprus and launch a military operation.

• How long could the Cypriot National Guard realistically hold them and also till where ?
• Would most fighting take place near the UN Buffer Zone , similar to how front lines in parts of Ukraine ?
• Would the first targets be infrastructure such as electricity (EAC), telecommunications (CYTA), airports, ports, radar sites, and military bases ?
• What do people think a modern conflict in Cyprus would actually look like ?

I need a plan just in case. You guys have plan B ? I know a lot of you cypriots have cousins in Australia,UK,Canada.

Yea basically the title

For example, in order to prove that I know how to work with Active Directory do I really need this certificate( which is €3495 btw ) ? Certificates are really expensive.

I know what in networking they value CCNA, CCNP and CCIE highly.

I think when it comes to Programming jobs they more interested into your GitHub profile and projects. But for certificates I have no idea.

I noticed that many IT jobs no matter the specialication, they need people with SQL knowledge both networking and programming field.