In our guts, the bacteria we call e. coli represent powerful digestive agents whose work brings us nutritional benefits. But if they escape their ordinary context, or if the gut fails to provide an environment that rewards their powers and inhibits their hungers… they become deadly to us.

What we call evil is like this. The agencies involved will, in a good context, serve the planet and mankind. Outside of that context, they become rabidly hungry, and will tear the entire planet apart… along with all the beings who depend upon it.

Can you see how our own species is a bit like this powerful bacteria which we at once carry as an ally and fear as a disease? Context is everything. In the gut? Useful. In the brain? Deadly.