Follow TV Tropes

Following

History Main / HumansAreFlawed

Go To

OR

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* In ''Literature/LittleMushroom'', the non-human protagonist An Zhe's encounters with humans lead him to conclude in the climax that humans are capable of cruelty and selfishness but also of great kindness and selflessness and that even though their struggles are ultimately insignificant in the grand scheme of the universe, they still aren't without meaning.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* Per the canon series, ''Fanfic/GodzillaNewEra'' takes this route. Humanity had suffered over a decade of near constant monster attacks with only a single confirmed benevolent kaiju (Mothra Lea). The prior two Godzilla were extremely destructive monsters who killed hundreds of thousands, so when a third one appears even more powerful than the last; plans are immediately put into motion to counter it. This and reckless stockpiling of weapons is presented as wrong, if understandable, leaving humanity almost to be wiped out when the Millennian manipulate G-Force into attacking Godzilla and then trying to nuke the planet by hijacking all of the launch systems. But the individuals involved are ultimately good people and they fight to stop the aliens with commendable courage. [[spoiler:And the reason the third Godzilla, the grown up Junior, is benevolent is because of the friendship and love he was given by his human caretakers as a baby. Even with the misunderstanding, he knows humans are worth protecting and never gives up on them.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


--> "In 2072, a rogue artificial intelligence known as SHODAN lost her mind. In her limitless imagination, SHODAN saw herself as a goddess destined to inherit the Earth. That image [[UnderestimatingBadassery was snuffed out]] [[OneManArmy by the hacker]] [[ActionSurvivor who created her.]]"

to:

--> "In 2072, a rogue artificial intelligence known as SHODAN lost her mind. In her limitless imagination, SHODAN saw herself as a goddess destined to inherit the Earth. That image [[UnderestimatingBadassery was snuffed out]] [[OneManArmy by the hacker]] [[ActionSurvivor who created her.]]"her]]."
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

** As the recap to the first game put it:
--> "In 2072, a rogue artificial intelligence known as SHODAN lost her mind. In her limitless imagination, SHODAN saw herself as a goddess destined to inherit the Earth. That image [[UnderestimatingBadassery was snuffed out]] [[OneManArmy by the hacker]] [[ActionSurvivor who created her.]]"
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* ''Manhua/UniversalLoveGrocery'': Shu lampshades this when the Otherworld god asks Shu if humans are worth all the effort,[[spoiler: Shu agrees that humans are full of contradictions, but that [[DeityOfHumanOrigin she used to be one of them,]] and that the humans' emotional balance maintains the Otherworld.]]

to:

* ''Manhua/UniversalLoveGrocery'': Shu lampshades this when the Otherworld god asks Shu if humans are worth all the effort,[[spoiler: Shu effort, [[spoiler:Shu agrees that humans are full of contradictions, but that [[DeityOfHumanOrigin she used to be one of them,]] and that the humans' emotional balance maintains the Otherworld.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Crosswicking

Added DiffLines:

[[folder:Manhua]]
* ''Manhua/UniversalLoveGrocery'': Shu lampshades this when the Otherworld god asks Shu if humans are worth all the effort,[[spoiler: Shu agrees that humans are full of contradictions, but that [[DeityOfHumanOrigin she used to be one of them,]] and that the humans' emotional balance maintains the Otherworld.]]
[[/folder]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* As in the movie "sequel" ''Film/{{Serenity}}'', in ''Series/{{Firefly}}'' the flawed nature of humanity is one of the central themes of the series.

to:

* As in the movie "sequel" ''Film/{{Serenity}}'', in ''Series/{{Firefly}}'' the The flawed nature of humanity is one of the central themes of ''Series/{{Firefly}}'', as in the series.movie "sequel" ''Film/Serenity2005''.

Changed: 367

Removed: 296

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


-->'''The Lizard''': I sought to create a stronger human being, but there's no such thing! Human beings are weak, pathetic, feeble-minded creatures... why be human at all, when we can be so much ''more''?

to:

-->'''The Lizard''': Lizard:''' I sought to create a stronger human being, but there's no such thing! Human beings are weak, pathetic, feeble-minded creatures... why be human at all, when we can be so much ''more''?



--> '''Vision''': Humans are odd. They think order and chaos are somehow opposites, and try to control what won't be. But there is grace in their failings. I think you missed that.
--> '''Ultron''': They're doomed.
--> '''Vision''': Yes. [[TheAntiNihilist But a thing isn't beautiful because it lasts.]] It's a privilege to be among them.
* The Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse has this as a recurring theme.

to:

--> '''Vision''': '''Vision:''' Humans are odd. They think order and chaos are somehow opposites, and try to control what won't be. But there is grace in their failings. I think you missed that.
--> '''Ultron''':
that.\\
'''Ultron:'''
They're doomed.
--> '''Vision''':
doomed.\\
'''Vision:'''
Yes. But [[TheAntiNihilist But a thing isn't beautiful because it lasts.]] lasts]]. It's a privilege to be among them.
* The Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse ''Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse'' has this as a recurring theme.



* ''Film/{{Serenity}}'':
** This is one of the main themes (arguably ''the'' main theme) of the movie. Even if the Pax had worked perfectly, it still would've been wrong to stifle the human emotional range for the sake of peace.
** Also Mal points out our flaws (Sins) are what keep humans from just laying down and dying.

to:

* ''Film/{{Serenity}}'':
**
''Film/Serenity2005'': This is one of the main themes (arguably ''the'' main theme) of the movie. Even if the Pax had worked perfectly, it still would've been wrong to stifle the human emotional range for the sake of peace.
** Also
peace. Mal also points out that our flaws (Sins) ([[SevenDeadlySins sins]]) are what keep humans from just laying down and dying.



* {{Deconstructed}} in ''Film/TheWorldsEnd''. [[spoiler:It turns out that humanity is the ''least'' civilized species in the galaxy, and the Network is trying to bring humanity to a level where it could be brought into the galactic community. However, to do so they have to remove anyone who doesn't want to be part of the Network; and because humanity doesn't like being told what to do, the Network needs to replace ''a lot'' of people in an attempt to make them more acceptable to the galactic community. Arguably, the point of Gary, Andrew, and Steven's rebuttal is that "Humans are special ''because'' they are flawed"]].

to:

* {{Deconstructed}} {{Deconstructed|Trope}} in ''Film/TheWorldsEnd''. [[spoiler:It turns out that humanity is the ''least'' civilized species in the galaxy, and the Network is trying to bring humanity to a level where it could be brought into the galactic community. However, to do so they have to remove anyone who doesn't want to be part of the Network; and because humanity doesn't like being told what to do, the Network needs to replace ''a lot'' of people in an attempt to make them more acceptable to the galactic community. Arguably, the point of Gary, Andrew, and Steven's rebuttal is that "Humans are special ''because'' they are flawed"]].flawed".]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
A ban evader changed the quote for this page without permission, so I reverted their quote change.


->''"I don't believe in humanity... But I believe in the potential of humanity."''
-->-- '''Sora''' to Jibril, ''Literature/NoGameNoLife''

to:

->''"I don't believe in humanity... ->'''Lucifer:''' They are broken, flawed abortions!\\
'''Gabriel:''' Damn right, they're flawed!
But I believe in the potential a lot of humanity."''
them try... to do better... to forgive.
-->-- '''Sora''' to Jibril, ''Literature/NoGameNoLife''
''Series/{{Supernatural}}'', "[[Recap/SupernaturalS05E19HammerOfTheGods Hammer of the Gods]]"

Added: 7301

Changed: 1268

Removed: 6907

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
alphabetizing video game example(s)


* While it first appears to set up a HumansAreTheRealMonsters message, ''VisualNovel/AseliaTheEternalTheSpiritOfEternitySword'' in the end opts for this. You have your instantly nice and understanding characters like Yuuto and Lesteena, your neutralish characters like Kouin and the populace at large, and finally the evil people like Shun and Soma. The populace eventually grows to accept Yuuto and the spirits and see them as heroes, while Shun gets a decent motivation in a NewGamePlus and a SympathyForTheDevil moment.



* ''VideoGame/SystemShock'': Lo-lo-look at you, ''hacker''. A p-p-pathetic creature of meat and bone, panting and sweating as you r-run through my corridors-s. H-h-how can you challenge a perfect, immortal machine?
* ''VisualNovel/MinotaurHotel'': All of the humans are generally portrayed with less sympathy than the mythicals, with the possible exceptions of Phroneos and Androgeos, with many of them treating the mythicals as outsiders at best, and abusing them at their worst. Even the protagonist isn't exempt from this, as he is equally capable of bringing harm to Asterion if he wanted to. That said, there are good humans, and the game shows that if the person has good intentions, and is given the opportunity, they can do great things, as shown with Jean-Marie and a main-route protagonist.
* In many ways a staple of ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' games. While [[MultipleEndings the Neutral endings]] (the ones most heavily focusing on the potential of Humanity, as opposed to delivering ourselves into the easy path promised by [[TheEvilsOfFreeWill the power of the Lord]] or the [[TheCorrupter temptations of the demons]]) are presented as the most optimistic of the lot, one must remember that both YHVH and Lucifer were born of Humanity's own OrderVersusChaos conflict - until the race finishes sorting out its messes ''for good'', both will forever be reborn over and over, and their war shall never end.
* In the ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'' series, every major divine being is an AnthropomorphicPersonification of something within the human heart (be it our good constructive parts ([[Franchise/{{Persona}} Philemon]]), our fear of yet subconscious longing for death ([[spoiler:[[VideoGame/Persona3 Nyx]]]]), our desire for a comfortable lie in place of the painful truth ([[spoiler:[[VideoGame/Persona4 Izanami]]]]), or our wish for someone to carry our burdens to make our lives easier regardless of what it may cost us ([[spoiler:[[VideoGame/Persona5 Yaldabaoth]]]]). The {{Aesop}} of the franchise can pretty much be said to be that we humans are flawed but that we can overcome them.
* In ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilTheDarksideChronicles,'' [[MysteriousWaif Manuela]] comes to the conclusion that the ability to feel pain (mental/emotional pain at our mistakes, in particular) is what makes a person human, and that's a good thing, at least [[spoiler:as opposed to being a super tough (but mindless and destructive) zombie monster.]]
* While it first appears to set up a HumansAreTheRealMonsters message, ''VisualNovel/AseliaTheEternalTheSpiritOfEternitySword'' in the end opts for this. You have your instantly nice and understanding characters like Yuuto and Lesteena, your neutralish characters like Kouin and the populace at large, and finally the evil people like Shun and Soma. The populace eventually grows to accept Yuuto and the spirits and see them as heroes, while Shun gets a decent motivation in a NewGamePlus and a SympathyForTheDevil moment.
* This is very apparent in ''VideoGame/LANoire'', what with the scores of less-than-perfect people Cole encounters. This trope is even {{invoked|Trope}} by [[DirtyCop Roy Earle]], of all people ("Everyone has their vices, even you, Cole."). Even [[ByTheBookCop Cole]] ends up [[spoiler:having an affair and leaving his wife and kids]], and even then, his past was hardly spotless.
* This seems to be a major theme in ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou''. Ultimately humans are flawed creatures obsessed with themselves until they clash with other people and their viewpoints, shown in Neku's character growth. The act of having to clash itself suggests that only conflict causes humans to grow in any meaningful way.



* In ''VideoGame/ShinSuperRobotWars'', [[Anime/MobileFighterGGundam Master Asia]], who happens to be an agent of the Dug Government in this game, met [[Anime/MobileFighterGGundam Domon Kasshu's father Professor Kasshu]] and [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamCharsCounterattack Char Aznable]] and figures the latter was where his problems started, coming short on the heels of the signing of the Luna Treaty that guarantees independence and sovereignty for the Earth, Moon, and space colonies. This treaty was enough to bring peace to the war-weary humans, but could not by itself remove the scars of the war. Char, who loved humanity more than anyone, also hated it more, having sacrificed numerous followers and taken many lives himself. Since he possessed vast influence and resources, Master Asia treated him as a representative of humanity. He was led to believe that humans were unstable, destructive beings, and decided to manipulate Kasshu to help nip any potential for trouble in the bud.
* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'': This is the opinion of the Daedra (both the [[OurGodsAreDifferent Daedric Princes]] and [[OurDemonsAreDifferent lesser Daedra]]) toward mortals. They perceive mortals as weak, foolish, and doomed from birth. What they cannot understand is why, despite knowing their lives are finite, [[EvilCannotComprehendGood mortals do not despair]].
* One of the biggest themes of the ''VideoGame/{{MOTHER}}'' series. [[AllegoricalCharacter Porky]] symbolizes humanity's sins, while the heroes represent its ability to overcome them and be better. Who wins in the end? [[AmbiguousEnding Eh...]] [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism you decide.]]
* In ''VideoGame/KingdomsOfAmalurReckoning'', [[TheFairFolk the Fae]] are of this opinion to all the mortal races (or "Children of Dust"). Although it's a BrokenBase in-universe as some Fae think we are a mistake the gods made but won't remove while others love us for it because they say our lives, while short, are more interesting and meaningful, since we don't live by the enforced GroundhogDayLoop they do ([[WhoWantsToLiveForever also some of them have grown weary of immortality]]) which means we have to carefully consider HOW we live our lives.

to:

* In ''VideoGame/ShinSuperRobotWars'', [[Anime/MobileFighterGGundam Master Asia]], who happens to be an agent ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyThe4HeroesOfLight'''s BigBad declares that he is the darkness in everyone's heart and that he would never have gained power if humans weren't inclined towards evil in the first place; all of the Dug Government in this game, met [[Anime/MobileFighterGGundam Domon Kasshu's father Professor Kasshu]] and [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamCharsCounterattack Char Aznable]] and figures the latter was where his problems started, coming short on in the heels of the signing of the Luna Treaty that guarantees independence and sovereignty for the Earth, Moon, and space colonies. This treaty was enough to bring peace to the war-weary humans, but could not by itself remove the scars of the war. Char, who loved humanity more than anyone, also hated it more, having sacrificed numerous followers and taken many lives himself. Since he possessed vast influence and resources, Master Asia treated him as a representative of humanity. He was led to believe that humans game were unstable, destructive beings, and decided caused by his servants using {{Batman Gambit}}s to manipulate Kasshu to help nip any potential for trouble in the bud.
* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'': This is the opinion of the Daedra (both the [[OurGodsAreDifferent Daedric Princes]]
people into being greedy, paranoid, hateful, etc. The party's {{Guest Star Party Member}}s turn up and [[OurDemonsAreDifferent lesser Daedra]]) toward mortals. They perceive mortals as weak, foolish, and doomed from birth. What they cannot understand is why, despite knowing their lives are finite, [[EvilCannotComprehendGood mortals do not despair]].
* One of the biggest themes of the ''VideoGame/{{MOTHER}}'' series. [[AllegoricalCharacter Porky]] symbolizes humanity's sins,
say that while the heroes represent its ability to overcome them human beings ''are'' sometimes ugly and be better. Who wins in the end? [[AmbiguousEnding Eh...]] [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism you decide.]]
* In ''VideoGame/KingdomsOfAmalurReckoning'', [[TheFairFolk the Fae]] are of this opinion to all the mortal races (or "Children of Dust"). Although it's a BrokenBase in-universe as some Fae think we are a mistake the gods made but won't remove while others love us for it because
wicked, they say our lives, while short, are more interesting also have a boundless capacity for hope and meaningful, since we don't live by love, giving the enforced GroundhogDayLoop party the boost they do ([[WhoWantsToLiveForever also some of them have grown weary of immortality]]) which means we have need to carefully consider HOW we live our lives.defeat his final form.



* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyThe4HeroesOfLight'''s BigBad declares that he is the darkness in everyone's heart and that he would never have gained power if humans weren't inclined towards evil in the first place; all of the problems in the game were caused by his servants using {{Batman Gambit}}s to manipulate people into being greedy, paranoid, hateful, etc. The party's {{Guest Star Party Member}}s turn up and say that while human beings ''are'' sometimes ugly and wicked, they also have a boundless capacity for hope and love, giving the party the boost they need to defeat his final form.
* ''Franchise/MassEffect'' has this as one of its main themes. Humans, as well as every other race in the galaxy [[spoiler:except the [[SapientShip Reapers]]]], have both good and bad individuals in them, and while there are many lawless areas in the galaxy, and the ObstructiveBureaucrat tendencies of many politicians, the Citadel species are overall doing their best. [[PlayerCharacter Shepard]] can even say this in ''VideoGame/MassEffect2''.
--> "People are messy, awkward, sometimes selfish and cruel. But they're trying, and I'm going to make sure they have a chance."
* The PacifistRun in ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' has the trope shown to the monsters, most of which are trying to kill the human player character for various reasons (some truly hate humans due to a war that occurred many years ago (which was heavily implied to be, at best, a HopelessBossFight for the monsters) that led to the monsters being sealed in the Underground. Others only want the player character's soul so that they can finally escape said Underground and see the sky again). However, thanks to the protagonist sparing monsters, they see that not all humans are bad and some are actually pretty ok and can be good friends in spite of their flaws. [[spoiler: The pacifist ending shows the humans making peace with the monsters, despite the bloody history they had, as the two races live side by side once more, flaws be damned.]]


Added DiffLines:

* In ''VideoGame/KingdomsOfAmalurReckoning'', [[TheFairFolk the Fae]] are of this opinion to all the mortal races (or "Children of Dust"). Although it's a BrokenBase in-universe as some Fae think we are a mistake the gods made but won't remove while others love us for it because they say our lives, while short, are more interesting and meaningful, since we don't live by the enforced GroundhogDayLoop they do ([[WhoWantsToLiveForever also some of them have grown weary of immortality]]) which means we have to carefully consider HOW we live our lives.
* This is very apparent in ''VideoGame/LANoire'', what with the scores of less-than-perfect people Cole encounters. This trope is even {{invoked|Trope}} by [[DirtyCop Roy Earle]], of all people ("Everyone has their vices, even you, Cole."). Even [[ByTheBookCop Cole]] ends up [[spoiler:having an affair and leaving his wife and kids]], and even then, his past was hardly spotless.
* ''Franchise/MassEffect'' has this as one of its main themes. Humans, as well as every other race in the galaxy [[spoiler:except the [[SapientShip Reapers]]]], have both good and bad individuals in them, and while there are many lawless areas in the galaxy, and the ObstructiveBureaucrat tendencies of many politicians, the Citadel species are overall doing their best. [[PlayerCharacter Shepard]] can even say this in ''VideoGame/MassEffect2''.
--> "People are messy, awkward, sometimes selfish and cruel. But they're trying, and I'm going to make sure they have a chance."


Added DiffLines:

* ''VisualNovel/MinotaurHotel'': All of the humans are generally portrayed with less sympathy than the mythicals, with the possible exceptions of Phroneos and Androgeos, with many of them treating the mythicals as outsiders at best, and abusing them at their worst. Even the protagonist isn't exempt from this, as he is equally capable of bringing harm to Asterion if he wanted to. That said, there are good humans, and the game shows that if the person has good intentions, and is given the opportunity, they can do great things, as shown with Jean-Marie and a main-route protagonist.
* One of the biggest themes of the ''VideoGame/{{MOTHER}}'' series. [[AllegoricalCharacter Porky]] symbolizes humanity's sins, while the heroes represent its ability to overcome them and be better. Who wins in the end? [[AmbiguousEnding Eh...]] [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism you decide.]]
* In the ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'' series, every major divine being is an AnthropomorphicPersonification of something within the human heart (be it our good constructive parts ([[Franchise/{{Persona}} Philemon]]), our fear of yet subconscious longing for death ([[spoiler:[[VideoGame/Persona3 Nyx]]]]), our desire for a comfortable lie in place of the painful truth ([[spoiler:[[VideoGame/Persona4 Izanami]]]]), or our wish for someone to carry our burdens to make our lives easier regardless of what it may cost us ([[spoiler:[[VideoGame/Persona5 Yaldabaoth]]]]). The {{Aesop}} of the franchise can pretty much be said to be that we humans are flawed but that we can overcome them.
* In ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilTheDarksideChronicles,'' [[MysteriousWaif Manuela]] comes to the conclusion that the ability to feel pain (mental/emotional pain at our mistakes, in particular) is what makes a person human, and that's a good thing, at least [[spoiler:as opposed to being a super tough (but mindless and destructive) zombie monster.]]
* In many ways a staple of ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' games. While [[MultipleEndings the Neutral endings]] (the ones most heavily focusing on the potential of Humanity, as opposed to delivering ourselves into the easy path promised by [[TheEvilsOfFreeWill the power of the Lord]] or the [[TheCorrupter temptations of the demons]]) are presented as the most optimistic of the lot, one must remember that both YHVH and Lucifer were born of Humanity's own OrderVersusChaos conflict - until the race finishes sorting out its messes ''for good'', both will forever be reborn over and over, and their war shall never end.
* In ''VideoGame/ShinSuperRobotWars'', [[Anime/MobileFighterGGundam Master Asia]], who happens to be an agent of the Dug Government in this game, met [[Anime/MobileFighterGGundam Domon Kasshu's father Professor Kasshu]] and [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamCharsCounterattack Char Aznable]] and figures the latter was where his problems started, coming short on the heels of the signing of the Luna Treaty that guarantees independence and sovereignty for the Earth, Moon, and space colonies. This treaty was enough to bring peace to the war-weary humans, but could not by itself remove the scars of the war. Char, who loved humanity more than anyone, also hated it more, having sacrificed numerous followers and taken many lives himself. Since he possessed vast influence and resources, Master Asia treated him as a representative of humanity. He was led to believe that humans were unstable, destructive beings, and decided to manipulate Kasshu to help nip any potential for trouble in the bud.
* ''VideoGame/SystemShock'': Lo-lo-look at you, ''hacker''. A p-p-pathetic creature of meat and bone, panting and sweating as you r-run through my corridors-s. H-h-how can you challenge a perfect, immortal machine?
* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'': This is the opinion of the Daedra (both the [[OurGodsAreDifferent Daedric Princes]] and [[OurDemonsAreDifferent lesser Daedra]]) toward mortals. They perceive mortals as weak, foolish, and doomed from birth. What they cannot understand is why, despite knowing their lives are finite, [[EvilCannotComprehendGood mortals do not despair]].
* This seems to be a major theme in ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou''. Ultimately humans are flawed creatures obsessed with themselves until they clash with other people and their viewpoints, shown in Neku's character growth. The act of having to clash itself suggests that only conflict causes humans to grow in any meaningful way.
* The PacifistRun in ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' has the trope shown to the monsters, most of which are trying to kill the human player character for various reasons (some truly hate humans due to a war that occurred many years ago (which was heavily implied to be, at best, a HopelessBossFight for the monsters) that led to the monsters being sealed in the Underground. Others only want the player character's soul so that they can finally escape said Underground and see the sky again). However, thanks to the protagonist sparing monsters, they see that not all humans are bad and some are actually pretty ok and can be good friends in spite of their flaws. [[spoiler: The pacifist ending shows the humans making peace with the monsters, despite the bloody history they had, as the two races live side by side once more, flaws be damned.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


->'''Lucifer:''' They are broken, flawed abortions!\\
'''Gabriel:''' Damn right, they're flawed! But a lot of them try... to do better... to forgive.
-->-- ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'', "[[Recap/SupernaturalS05E19HammerOfTheGods Hammer of the Gods]]"

to:

->'''Lucifer:''' They are broken, flawed abortions!\\
'''Gabriel:''' Damn right, they're flawed!
->''"I don't believe in humanity... But a lot I believe in the potential of them try... to do better... to forgive.
humanity."''
-->-- ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'', "[[Recap/SupernaturalS05E19HammerOfTheGods Hammer of the Gods]]"
'''Sora''' to Jibril, ''Literature/NoGameNoLife''
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* Christianity teaches that humans exist in a fallen [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_sin state]], with Jesus stating in the Gospel of Matthew that "...out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." (NKJV) At the same time, the faith teaches that every human being is made in the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_of_God Image of God]], and as such, has infinite inherent worth.

to:

* Christianity teaches that humans exist in a fallen [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_sin state]], with Jesus stating in the Gospel of Matthew that "...out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." (NKJV) At the same time, the faith teaches that every human being is made in the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_of_God Image of God]], and as such, [[YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre has infinite infinite]] [[YouAreWorthHell inherent worth.worth]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' episode "Hurricane Neddy" has Homer invoke this when he's tasked with deliberately riling up Ned Flanders to get him to express his anger again. After all of Homer's prewritten taunts fail to break through Ned's StepfordSmiler attitude, Homer calls him out on a being a coward who's afraid to be a human being. As he puts it, humans are sometimes obnoxious, cruel, lazy, and get angry about stuff and Ned's too afraid to admit he's as capable of those things as anyone else. This leads to Ned expressing he ''does'' get frustrated by things, such as the post office and his deadbeat parents for being useless beatniks. Ned's surprised when he realizes it felt good admitting his dislike out loud.

to:

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': The episode "Hurricane Neddy" "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS8E8HurricaneNeddy Hurricane Neddy]]" has Homer invoke this when he's tasked with deliberately riling up Ned Flanders to get him to express his anger again. After all of Homer's prewritten taunts fail to break through Ned's StepfordSmiler attitude, Homer calls him out on a being a coward who's afraid to be a human being. As he puts it, humans are sometimes obnoxious, cruel, lazy, and get angry about stuff and Ned's too afraid to admit he's as capable of those things as anyone else. This leads to Ned expressing he ''does'' get frustrated by things, such as the post office and his deadbeat parents for being useless beatniks. Ned's surprised when he realizes that it felt good admitting his dislike out loud.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* ''Franchise/MarvelUniverse'': This is an underlying message in this franchise, alongside [[Franchise/TheDCU its rival]]. Sure, the populace may be incredibly easy to manipulate sometimes, there's the whole supervillain problem, and even the heroes aren't infallible (just check out [[ComicBook/CivilWar all those]] times [[ComicBook/AvengersVsXMen they fight]] one [[ComicBook/CivilWarII another]]). But it's made clear there is a lot of potential for good in humans, and that they and the heroes, who themselves can overcome their flaws and differences, can make a better world, even if it won't be easy.

to:

* ''Franchise/MarvelUniverse'': This is an underlying message in this franchise, alongside [[Franchise/TheDCU its rival]]. Sure, the populace may be incredibly easy to manipulate sometimes, there's the whole supervillain problem, and even the heroes aren't infallible (just check out [[ComicBook/CivilWar [[ComicBook/CivilWar2006 all those]] times [[ComicBook/AvengersVsXMen they fight]] one [[ComicBook/CivilWarII another]]). But it's made clear there is a lot of potential for good in humans, and that they and the heroes, who themselves can overcome their flaws and differences, can make a better world, even if it won't be easy.

Changed: 110

Removed: 3624

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
The examples I cut were ether softcore Humans Are Bastards examples or did not really say anything on the human condition at all. Also cutting down on the potholeded "humans suck" tropes at the introductory paragraphs.


[[HumansAreBastards Humans suck]], don't they? Their narcissism knows no bounds, their moral sense is hazy at best, they've been known to kill each other over the littlest slight, their physical prowess seems like a joke to some, they're often paradoxically [[HumansAreMorons too stupid]] to handle [[TooCleverByHalf their vast intelligence]], and to top it all off, [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking they]] [[HumansAreUgly don't tend to look]] [[HumansAreSmelly or smell]] [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking too good, either]]. This gets worse if there are [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman other races]] or [[WhatMeasureIsANonSuper superpowered people]] in the setting, compared to them we apparently must ''[[FantasticRacism really]]'' suck, and there's [[CantArgueWithElves no arguing about it]].

to:

[[HumansAreBastards Humans suck]], suck, don't they? Their narcissism knows no bounds, their moral sense is hazy at best, they've been known to kill each other over the littlest slight, their physical prowess seems like a joke to some, they're often paradoxically [[HumansAreMorons too stupid]] to handle [[TooCleverByHalf their vast intelligence]], and to top it all off, [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking they]] [[HumansAreUgly don't tend to look]] [[HumansAreSmelly or smell]] [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking too good, either]]. This gets worse if there are [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman other races]] or [[WhatMeasureIsANonSuper superpowered people]] in the setting, compared to them we apparently must ''[[FantasticRacism really]]'' suck, and there's [[CantArgueWithElves no arguing about it]].



''So what'' if [[RousseauWasRight Rousseau]] isn't right and [[HumansAreTheRealMonsters people are fundamentally mean, nasty and brutish?]] What merit is there in being good if you [[TheEvilsOfFreeWill can't choose to do otherwise?]] Despite the inherent moral flaws of humanity, enough people are putting the effort into being [[NiceGuy nice]] and [[TheHeart kind]] that it [[EarnYourHappyEnding does make a difference]]. Even if seemed that BeingGoodSucks, humanity as a whole realizes deep down that BeingEvilSucks more.

to:

''So what'' if [[RousseauWasRight Rousseau]] isn't right and [[HumansAreTheRealMonsters people are fundamentally mean, nasty and brutish?]] brutish? What merit is there in being good if you [[TheEvilsOfFreeWill can't choose to do otherwise?]] Despite the inherent moral flaws of humanity, enough people are putting the effort into being [[NiceGuy nice]] and [[TheHeart kind]] that it [[EarnYourHappyEnding does make a difference]]. Even if seemed that BeingGoodSucks, humanity as a whole realizes deep down that BeingEvilSucks more.



%%* A major theme in ''Franchise/{{Devilman}}'' is that humans can be just as cruel and bloodthirsty as the nearly AlwaysChaoticEvil demons that serve as the villains of the show, especially when driven mad with fear and paranoia.



%%* In ''ComicBook/EightBillionGenies'', the characters eventually realize that this is why the [[EternalRecurrence genies keep reappearing]] to grant wishes, because humans are ''never'' satisfied.



%%* In ''ComicBook/{{Supergod}}'', Morrigan Lugus claims that the very concept of [[GodIsFlawed "God" is flawed]] because it was formed by "stupid monkeys" who need religion like junkies need their stash.



* British statesman Lord Chesterfield in ''Literature/LettersToHisSon'': "In the mass of mankind, I fear, there is too great a majority of fools and, knaves; who, singly from their number, must to a certain degree be respected, though they are by no means respectable. And a man who will show every knave or fool that he thinks him such, will engage in a most ruinous war, against numbers much superior to those that he and his allies can bring into the field. Abhor a knave, and pity a fool in your heart; but let neither of them, unnecessarily, see that you do so." (letter 60)



* An underlying theme on ''all'' Creator/JRRTolkien 's books, but especially ''Literature/TheSilmarillion''. Zig-zagged with HumansAreTheRealMonsters-- all other races have members that go bad, and some were [[BeingTorturedMakesYouEvil forced into evil through degradation and torture]], but most individuals of other races are better and wiser than even the best and wisest Man. Men are the ''only'' race to ''[[NotBrainwashed willingly]]'' turn to Evil as a collective. This is best illustrated by the Downfall of Numenor. After the race of Men [[HumansAreWarriors helped fight against Morgoth]], they were rewarded with their own island after his defeat, which, while ruled by a [[HalfHumanHybrid half-human half-elf hybrid]] was an enlightened near-utopia, but only a few generations after, the inhabitants came to envy the Elves and [[PhysicalGod Valar's]] immortality, hate them for it, and decide to conquer the whole world to provide them with slaves and human sacrifices out of the delusional belief that doing so would make them immortal. Simultaneously, [[BigBad Sauron]] was also conquering Middle-earth, and the Numenoreans fought against him only because he was competition. The king winds up allying with him later because both were already evil, which leads to Numenor's complete destruction once the two decide to finish their conquest by invading Valinor and enslaving the Valar themselves, which caused God himself to destroy the army and wipe Numenor off the map. As previously stated, no other race ever became this corrupt no matter how advanced their civilization became.
* Creator/JamesHerbert's ''Literature/TheRats'' subverts expectations by not letting a hero figure arise to save the day. Without exception, ''all'' the human characters in the book are flawed, limited, rather depressingly seedy, and completely out of their depth.



%%* ''Literature/{{Vampirocracy}}'': The laundry list of human flaws (being [[HumansAreMorons moronic]] [[HumansAreDivided divided]] [[HumansAreBastards bastards]], mostly) drives vampires to take over the world for their own safety.



-->'''The Bastard:''' So are all things trapped in time. You are brilliant, nonetheless. How fortunate for Us that We thirst for glorious souls rather than faultless ones, or We should be parched indeed, and most lonely in Our perfect righteousness. Carry on imperfectly, shining Ista.
%%* ''Literature/LilithsBrood'': According to the {{Cthulhumanoid}} Oankali geneticists who rescue a remnant of humanity AfterTheEnd, the "Human Contradiction" is that they possess both advanced intelligence and an animalistic drive to form social hierarchies, which will inevitably lead humanity to destroy itself again.

to:

-->'''The Bastard:''' So are all things trapped in time. You are brilliant, nonetheless. How fortunate for Us that We thirst for glorious souls rather than faultless ones, or We should be parched indeed, and most lonely in Our perfect righteousness. Carry on imperfectly, shining Ista.
%%* ''Literature/LilithsBrood'': According to the {{Cthulhumanoid}} Oankali geneticists who rescue a remnant of humanity AfterTheEnd, the "Human Contradiction" is that they possess both advanced intelligence and an animalistic drive to form social hierarchies, which will inevitably lead humanity to destroy itself again.
Our
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* Humans are portrayed as this throughout much of the ''Franchise/MegaMan'' franchise. While there are undeniably heroic humans such as [[VideoGame/MegaManClassic Dr. Light]], [[VideoGame/MegaManX Cain]] and [[VideoGame/MegaManZero Ciel]], every conflict in nearly the entire timeline ultimately stems from Dr. Wily's petty feud with Light, and other villains such as Sigma and Dr. Weil hold unabashed HumansAreBastards viewpoints [[spoiler: even though Weil is a human himself and gleefully indulges in his CardCarryingVillain status.]] Humans are also portrayed as becoming increasingly complacent and reliant on machines, to the point that Zero expresses disgust with the citizens of Neo Arcadia for mindlessly tolerating an oppressive dictatorship simply because it fulfills their basic needs. Ultimately, though, X continues to maintain hope for humanity, and Zero tries to help him realize his vision of true peace between humans and reploids out of respect.

to:

* Humans are portrayed as this throughout much of the ''Franchise/MegaMan'' franchise. While there are undeniably heroic humans such as [[VideoGame/MegaManClassic Dr. Light]], [[VideoGame/MegaManX Cain]] and [[VideoGame/MegaManZero Ciel]], every conflict in nearly the entire timeline ultimately stems from Dr. Wily's petty feud with Light, and other villains such as Sigma and Dr. Weil hold unabashed HumansAreBastards viewpoints [[spoiler: even though Weil is a human himself and gleefully indulges in his CardCarryingVillain status.]] Humans are also portrayed as becoming increasingly complacent and reliant on machines, to the point that Zero expresses disgust with the citizens of Neo Arcadia for mindlessly tolerating an oppressive dictatorship simply because it fulfills their basic needs. Ultimately, though, X continues to maintain hope for humanity, and Zero tries to help him realize his vision of true peace between humans and reploids out of respect.respect, despite his own views that HumansAreBastards.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' episode "Hurricane Neddy" has Homer invoke this when he's tasked with deliberately riling up Ned Flanders to get him to express his anger again. After all of Homer's prewritten taunts fail to break through Ned's StepfordSmiler attitude, Homer calls him out on a being a coward who's afraid to be a human being. As he puts it, humans are sometimes obnoxious, cruel, lazy, and get angry about stuff and Ned's too afraid to admit he's as capable of those things as anyone else. This leads to Ned expressing he ''does'' get frustrated by things, such as the post office and his deadbeat parents for being useless beatniks. Ned's surprised when he realizes it felt good admitting his dislike out loud.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* ''Webcomic/ILoveYoo'': Shown throughout the story. All the important characters have some type of notable flaw, and many of them, despite good intentions, make stupid decisions.

Top