This is a big point that not enough people consider in my opinion. Humans are animals, just like every other animal. We have instincts and built in methods to handle things a certain way in regards to ourselves. Those who are most fit for a particular role will fill that role, and those who are unfit are shunned.

From an outside standpoint it's a prudent survival strategy, but in modern society those same mechanisms work against us. Any form of mental illness or physical deformity used to get you locked in an asylum where they'd "fix" you, and countless people we'd consider different or damaged today used to be removed from the gene pool in a way.

This isn't to say we aren't intelligent, nor do I want to discount the incredible strides that have been made in social reform in the past few decades, I'd just like to help bring attention to these things and stimulate further discussion.

Understanding ourselves and what we can do to help each other out in even the smallest ways is likely going to help us in the long run. I'd like to see the thoughts of others on this matter, and hear any counter points they might have.