At the heart of human society lies a simple yet disturbing truth: the bigger fish always eat the smaller ones. This isn’t just a metaphor; it’s the rule that governs everything from corporate ladders to social hierarchies, and yes, even the very caste system that continues to shape our lives in the modern world. Whether we like it or not, history has shown us time and again that the powerful will always prey on the powerless—often without a second thought. But here’s the twist: when you’re the one on the receiving end of the hunt, it’s not the predator that stings the most—it’s the lesser, often invisible fish, the ones that aren’t even worth noticing, that make us feel like we’re being washed away.

I’ve seen it, felt it, lived it. The larger predators—corporations, political elites, the privileged—always find their prey, even if the prey is only a small player in their world. And yet, it’s not the predation itself that shatters us. It’s when we feel that slight from someone smaller, someone beneath us, trying to step into our space. That’s when the real pain begins. Why? Because it challenges something deeper than survival. It challenges our ego.

Ego, Negotiation, and the Human Condition

Take the simple act of negotiation—something we all engage in, whether at work or in life. On one hand, you may find yourself firm, unyielding, standing your ground. You’re negotiating, you’re negotiating well, and then someone walks into the room with an air of authority, perhaps slightly above your level. Instinctively, the conversation changes. You compromise. Why? It’s not because you want to, but because your ego feels threatened by a shift in power dynamics. It’s part of human nature, something psychologists like Robert Cialdini discuss in Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion—we’re conditioned to yield when we perceive someone else has more power than us. The moment the other person’s status is perceived as higher, the instinct is to appease.

In a way, we are all trained by the society we live in to believe that hierarchy is natural. If we look back at history, from the feudal systems of medieval Europe to the caste-based societies of India, the higher-ups were not just respected—they were feared. This fear created an unspoken social contract: know your place, or risk being crushed. This is the very same phenomenon that exists in modern corporate structures, politics, and even within families. The moment the balance of power shifts, even slightly, we adjust ourselves, often compromising our position without much resistance.

The Animal Kingdom: A World Without Negotiation

In nature, this hierarchical struggle is clear-cut. Consider a lion hunting a gazelle. The lion doesn’t ask for permission to hunt; it doesn’t negotiate with the gazelle. The lion acts purely on instinct—the need to eat, to survive. And while the gazelle may run for its life, it doesn’t pause to wonder whether it has a right to exist in the lion’s domain. It runs, because that is its only instinct for survival.

Let’s take a more specific example: In the savannahs of Africa, a lioness will target weaker prey, often selecting a straggler from the herd of wildebeest or zebras. The lioness doesn’t stop and ask, “Are you worth my time?” She attacks without hesitation because, to her, survival is paramount. There is no ego involved, no moral dilemma. This is about power, pure and simple.

But the same cannot be said for humans, especially when discussing caste and societal positioning. Unlike the lioness, human beings—conditioned by centuries of hierarchy—have the ability to reflect, to feel shame or pride. The prey in the human scenario—the oppressed, the marginalized—often do not know how to fight back because they have been conditioned not to. They have been taught their place in the food chain, just as much as the lion knows its role in the wild. This cycle perpetuates itself, generation after generation.

Caste and Conditioning: The Real Struggle

Take the case of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who famously fought against the oppressive caste system in India. Born into a lower caste, Ambedkar faced systemic discrimination his entire life, yet he rose to become one of India’s most significant social reformers. His work, particularly in drafting India’s Constitution, was not just about addressing the legal rights of the marginalized, but about addressing the ego-driven tendencies of the privileged classes who saw themselves as inherently superior. Ambedkar’s rise is a testament to the power of courage—the courage to fight against centuries of conditioning, to demand recognition not based on caste, but on merit.

Unfortunately, this battle is far from over. In many ways, it’s still being fought today. Take the example of manual scavengers in India, who belong to the Dalit caste. They continue to face systemic oppression, forced into dangerous and demeaning jobs simply because of their birth. Despite their contributions, they remain invisible, unheard, and overlooked—treated as less than human by a society that has conditioned itself to believe in their inferiority.

And yet, this isn’t just an Indian problem. In the UK, the legacies of colonialism and class division continue to shape modern society. From housing inequality to education disparities, those at the bottom of the social ladder face a lifetime of obstacles, all because they are born into the ‘wrong’ family, the ‘wrong’ community, or the ‘wrong’ social class.

The Courage to Break the Cycle

But here’s the essential truth: Breaking this cycle requires more than just addressing the predator. It requires the prey to find their own strength. To find the courage to stand up, even when it seems impossible. And no, courage is not about physical strength—it’s about the ability to push back against the system that says you are less than. This is where history’s greatest reformers, from Ambedkar to Nelson Mandela, have shown us the way. They didn’t just fight for rights; they fought for dignity, for self-worth, for the courage to say, “I am worthy.”

In the animal kingdom, prey fight for survival because they have no other choice. But humans, despite the same pressures, have the power of choice. We have the power to create change, to lift ourselves from the cycle of oppression, and to challenge those who would keep us in our place.

But it’s not easy. The caste system and its effects have been embedded in human society for centuries. It takes immense courage to break free from that conditioning. But the truth remains: if we can stand firm in the face of those who seek to diminish us, we can fight for our place in society, regardless of our birth, our background, or our caste.

So, whether you are a small fish in a big pond or a lion hunting for your next meal, the battle is the same: it’s a fight for self-worth, dignity, and the courage to stand tall.

Citations

1.       Cialdini, Robert B. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. Harper Business, 1984.

This book was referenced to discuss human psychology, particularly in relation to persuasion, power dynamics, and ego.

2.       Ambedkar, B.R. Thoughts on Linguistic States.

Ambedkar’s work was cited when discussing the caste system and its long-standing impacts on marginalized communities in India.

3.       Chandra, K.K. Caste, State, and Society: Social and Economic Conditions of the Scheduled Castes in India.

This source was used to explore the caste system’s ongoing influence and how society has conditioned marginalized communities to accept their positions.

4.       Mamdani, Mahmood. Citizen and Subject: Contemporary Africa and the Legacy of Late Colonialism. Princeton University Press, 1996.

This work informed the discussion of colonial history’s influence on social stratification, power dynamics, and the persistence of hierarchical structures in modern societies.

5.       Gandhi, M.K. Hind Swaraj.

Gandhi’s critique was referenced in relation to social justice, hierarchy, and his vision of a just society, contrasting it with modern capitalist systems and colonial legacies.

6.       Moss, Candace. Courage: The Hidden Strength of the Human Spirit.

This book supported the discussion on the importance of courage, particularly in the context of standing up to social oppression and the fight against systemic structures like caste.

7.       Fiske, Susan T. Envy Up, Scorn Down: How Status Divides Us.

Fiske’s research was cited to discuss the psychology behind envy, status, and how these dynamics play out in both personal interactions and societal systems.

8.       Smith, Adam. The Wealth of Nations.

Adam Smith’s seminal work was used to explore the economic foundations of power, privilege, and social dynamics in capitalist societies, particularly related to labor and capital.

9.       Gulzar. (Personal reflection).

Reference to Gulzar’s poetry provides a personal, creative influence on the tone of the piece, emphasizing the emotional depth behind the discussions of power and struggle.