The hit Netflix Series Lord of the Flies is an incredible adaptation of William Golding’s 1954 book. The young cast is stellar, and I loved the drawn out scene development, which brings a deeper lens on the novel. Already being viewed as a companion piece to director Jack Thorne’s award-winning Adolescence, which explores the impact of social influence, his new Flies adaptation asks a difference question: what happens when we are isolated, without society, and “back to nature?”
It’s fascinating to wonder: What really happens in the rare situations when people are “shipwrecked,” cut off from society, and face danger and the struggle for survival? And in particular, how would children, who are still forming social norms, behave? This question is part of what fascinates us with shows like Survivor and Naked and Afraid.
Lord of the Flies is a compelling story. However, the premise of the novel, movies and new Netflix series just aren’t historically accurate.
The Real Lord of the Flies
Because, it actually happened. In 1965–1966, six Tongan teenagers were shipwrecked on the deserted island of ʻAta for 15 months. They survived by working together, establishing a teamwork system, and even dealt with significant injuries. Rescued in 1966, the captain who found them was astonished at their survival and health. They had worked together as a team.
They maintained a continuous fire for 12 months.
Our Natural State
It’s a classic debate, often shown between Enlightenment philosophers like Hobbes and Rousseau, who were formative in the thoughts of the American Founders. Hobbes depicted human nature as a “war of every man against every man,” with Rousseau arguing that our natural state was more one of compassion and cooperation. (For those who don’t know me, I’m squarely in the second camp).
There’s a lot of reasons to believe that our natural state is community and cooperation. Rutger Bregman outlines this in Human Kind: A Hopeful History, using a multi-disciplinary approach to unpack our history of working together in society. Using real historical examples, he shows that the collaborative and social side of human nature is the norm, and most examples of when it falls apart are due to manipulation or outside influence.
He says, we are made to work together: It’s not every person for themselves. It’s about “survival of the friendliest.”
What This Means for Fundraisers
I’ve brought this philosophical debate up with fundraisers in recent weeks. Given what’s going on in the world, It can be an uphill battle to take the ‘glass half full’ approach, I understand. There is significant economic pressure in the world. Inflation is up, and income disparity is extreme. US politics features a whole lot of fear, anger and cruelty. We’re not far from the stress of feeling shipwrecked.
And yet, amidst this stress, we see incredible, inspiring generosity both from mega-givers and in everyday daily acts of kindness. The happiest people in our country are giving, engaging as members of communities, and those who feel “connected” are most likely to give. And it’s not just money, high net worth donors are actually volunteering at a higher rate than the rest of the public.
Research is starting to show us that obligation, guilt and tradition are much less of a motivator for donors today. The primary reasons for giving by major donors today are a match with their values and beliefs, belonging in community, and just not because they are asked. In addition, major donors become experts at giving and their causes, making giving not a transaction but a joyful, deliberate lifestyle.
Even in a time of isolationism and economic pressure, we are seeing the compassion of human nature in action. Our “feral” state isn’t “nasty and brutish,” as Hobbes would put it, but a world where humans naturally work together as social creatures. Society would have collapsed long ago if that were not true. I’d argue, for the most part, that we are only cruel when there are outside behavioral incentives to do so. And I believe that as the Great Wealth Transfer progresses, we can do more to unlock the power of social connection and giving that’s just a natural part of who we are.
When we realize that generosity is natural, our approach to donors should change. As fundraisers, our goal is to move with the energy of giving. We’re not “convincing” donors as much as we are simply help unlock the human power of connection and empathy.
Focus on unlocking that natural human joy in giving and allowing donors to be part of a community, and you’ll not only see better fundraising results, you’ll be a whole lot happier in your job.
You are not on an island. Your donors are part of your team and ready to collaborate.
Keep that fire lit, fundraisers.
Ready to explore what the Donation Equation can do for your team? Get in touch — or explore the Donation Equation framework.
This blog was also featured on LinkedIn — please share it with your network.