Spring Theory    

Because of the spring-like characteristic intrinsic to human nature, we are predisposed to “spring up” and perform at a higher level.  If we don't spring up, it must be because we have been held down and back by one or more negative social influences.  Hindrances such as bad parenting, deficient education, drugs, poverty and wayward friends weigh us down as if we were carrying heavy luggage.  These “hindrances” explain why some people do not rise up and perform as expected.  The weight from enough social hindrances will eventually counteract fully the natural spring-like characteristic of human nature.

Social hindrances weigh on us, continuously pushing us downward.  These social pressures compress the “spring” within us, suppressing our will and spirit until we find ourselves performing poorly.  Essentially, Spring Theory attributes bad and unproductive behavior to the unfortunate and sometimes overwhelming circum-stances and conditions that corrupt an otherwise elevated being.  According to this view of human nature, failure is not the fault of the individual but rather negative social forces and influences.

Gravity Theory    

According to Gravity Theory, the rules of nature apply to human beings just as they do the animals.  Just as the animals are motivated only when they are uncomfortable, so too human beings do only what is necessary to resolve their discomfort.  Moreover, human beings (like the animals) always choose the path promising the least amount of resistance leading to the least amount of discomfort. 

Rather than enjoy the upward lift of an automatic innate "spring," human beings must question their animalistic inspirations if they are to avoid performing poorly.  The secret to rising up and performing admirably is to set elevated goals.  Setting lofty goals makes citizens uncomfortable, forcing them to choose admirable behavior so that they will achieve their unfulfilled goals.  Only citizens who set lofty goals will perform admirably, with self-elevation being the result.  They perform admirably only because doing so is the path of least resistance and the option promising the least amount of discomfort.