Altruistic elements in the relationship between humans and rice

 What does the relationship between humans and rice look like from the rice's perspective?

Rice seems like a poor, unfortunate existence, existing only to be eaten by humans, but is that really true?

For plants, expanding their habitat and increasing their species is their primary objective. So, compared to the wild species before human cultivation, has rice increased or decreased?

It has expanded its habitat to the absolute maximum, beyond what it could possibly be. Through human selective breeding, it has reached even Hokkaido in the north, where it couldn't survive in the wild. It's originally a tropical species. Furthermore, rice has been planted everywhere possible—even on mountain slopes, creating terraced fields—and even reclaiming land from the sea and lakes, planting it wherever possible, spreading throughout Japan and the world.

It could be said that rice has successfully used humans to expand its habitat to the maximum. A winner? In the plant world? Wheat is the same, isn't it? And corn too.

The price is being eaten by humans, but so what? As a result, their population has increased incomparably compared to when they were in the wild. In other words, for them, the benefits of expanding their habitat far outweigh the disadvantages of being eaten by humans. In fact, the benefits are overwhelmingly greater.

The effort humans have expended to cultivate rice has been immense, almost heartbreaking, since ancient times. Frankly speaking, they risked their lives to protect and cultivate rice. Until the Edo period, almost the entire population were farmers. Almost everyone served and provided the rice with every possible service.

The ultimate altruistic act of providing food for the other party is rewarded with unprecedented prosperity for one's own species.

This is profound.

The view that altruism is a loss only sees things superficially.

One could even say that altruistic acts are a form of control over the other party.

Of course, humans also obtain their own food by serving the rice. And they increase their own numbers and expand their habitat.

Both humans and rice are in a win-win relationship, where altruism and self-interest are interconnected. The love and compassion preached by religion may be altruistic, but ultimately, they are for our own prosperity.

Let love and compassion guide us.

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