I recently re-read Slaughterhouse-Five, and it had an even greater impact on me than it did when I was younger. After many years, I have come to the conlusion that insanity and stupidity are not a recent problem, or even a symptom of our modern civilization. They are an integral part of the human race, and there is no way to fix them. The idea that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely, is still true today and always will be.
All you and I can do is try to make our voices heard. But we must also remember to create a life for ourselves where we can find some happiness and hold on to our own sanity!
I have found that of many books. I didn't appreciate Moby Dick until I was in my thirties. I read most of Vonnegut's work again a couple of years ago, and like you got even more out of it. That's the nature of experience, I suppose, at least for some of us. Too few, I fear. My happiness used to be long bike rides and hikes in the mountains, how I miss them. The body is shot, but the brain is not, so now doing this work sustains me, if not in the happiest way.
Doing something that feels important (even though I am well aware of how small my voice is) at least gives me purpose. Purpose is part of well-being, too. Thanks for the comment and your support, much appreciated.
Insanity and stupidity are an integral part of the human race and there is no way to fix it? Okay. You're human, right? Insanity and stupidity are a part of you, right? Or are you the miraculous exception to the rule? 😏
History is a study in human madness. The "victors" rewrite the truth. Still, I'm a little amazed that confronted with The End, we keep running towards the cliff.
So, you have never done anything stupid or insane in your entire life? If so, you must be one in several billion. It's true that some people exhibit these qualities more than others. But as a whole, you must admit that our species has not done a very good job of taking care of this planet -- or each other.
Are you asking David or me? Maybe the better question would be, have you ever done something bad to someone else in your life? We wouldn't be in this position if, as a whole, we took care of the planet and each other, and probably most of us have done a few things in the past to other people for which we should feel shame. Then perhaps the question becomes did we learn and improve ourselves from the experience, or did it reinforce a sociopathic tendency? It seems, for the most part, sociopaths have won control of the systems that are destroying an inhabitable planet. Is that a defining characteristic of the fittest of the species?
At the same time, the desire to dominate the environment is also instinctual, for survival. We started using up the planet on a small scale even before the advent of agriculture, tapping out the game and berries in one part, then moving on to use up the resources of another.
Is sociopathy simply an extreme manifestation of survival instinct? And is it our clever hands that allowed for our extra brain development and unfortunate ability to manipulate the world beyond its capacity? I feel fairly certain many higher mammals possess abstract thought and an understanding of life and death, but with only flippers and fins in the case of dolphins and whales or hooves in trunks in elephants that manipulation isn't possible.
And the answer is yes, I have done some things that were insane, stupid or hurtful in the past. Age or guilt, I don't know, just glad I went away from the worst parts of myself.
I never claimed in my comment to never have done anything stupid or insane. Since you said stupidity and insanity are integral to being human, I only wanted to point out that includes you.
Things are unraveling much faster than predicted. Antarctic ice shelves with twice the ice estimated, permafrost melting (and releasing viruses and bacteria which potentially humans no longer have immunity to, heat waves, wildfires and this is just the beginning.
Then we have a president raving about our having the "best military in the world, the best training, the best equipped....." but the US Navy can't build a temporary pier for food delivery in Gaza in one of the calmist water in the world. Something to be proud of? What would have happened on D Day with this level of competence? 20 partial shipments many of which never made it to the palestinian people for 230 million dollars. Has to be the most expensive rice in the world. That must be why we haven't won a war since WW2. Could we adapt surface to surface missiles maybe? With the supposed accuracy the MREs could be delivered to individual families. Call in your order.
With sea level rise coastal towns and piers are going to disappear and for shipping purposes will have to be rebuilt. But how? Ses level rise will be relatively slow so they well have to be rebuilt continuously for years as well as access to them and support structure like cranes, refrigeration and storage warehouses etc.
Little to disagree with your opinion. It's all quite a joke at this point. Scientific evidence is far greater than human hubris. I have been warning people for three years now with growing urgency. That does not make me admirable. I could see this stuff a long time ago. My skin should have been in the game then. Each day is precious. I never envisioned my life around writing what I write. It's a duty, whether it contributes to something better or nothing at all.
I was thinking about writing 20 years ago but when I considered the literacy level of Americans blew it off. Don't have any regrets about it either! Sadly enough.
Now we have the BS Trump assassination!
Looks like more reality TV! It'll give the children something to argue over till the selection! I mean election.
Keep it up. I'd write more but my hands are tied financially and technically.
It's about to get more squirrelly and unpredictable. I wonder when serious, widespread violence will break out. November will determine if there's a United States of America anymore. It may also determine whether I continue this work or not.
I recently re-read Slaughterhouse-Five, and it had an even greater impact on me than it did when I was younger. After many years, I have come to the conlusion that insanity and stupidity are not a recent problem, or even a symptom of our modern civilization. They are an integral part of the human race, and there is no way to fix them. The idea that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely, is still true today and always will be.
All you and I can do is try to make our voices heard. But we must also remember to create a life for ourselves where we can find some happiness and hold on to our own sanity!
I have found that of many books. I didn't appreciate Moby Dick until I was in my thirties. I read most of Vonnegut's work again a couple of years ago, and like you got even more out of it. That's the nature of experience, I suppose, at least for some of us. Too few, I fear. My happiness used to be long bike rides and hikes in the mountains, how I miss them. The body is shot, but the brain is not, so now doing this work sustains me, if not in the happiest way.
Doing something that feels important (even though I am well aware of how small my voice is) at least gives me purpose. Purpose is part of well-being, too. Thanks for the comment and your support, much appreciated.
*ahem*
Insanity and stupidity are an integral part of the human race and there is no way to fix it? Okay. You're human, right? Insanity and stupidity are a part of you, right? Or are you the miraculous exception to the rule? 😏
History is a study in human madness. The "victors" rewrite the truth. Still, I'm a little amazed that confronted with The End, we keep running towards the cliff.
So, you have never done anything stupid or insane in your entire life? If so, you must be one in several billion. It's true that some people exhibit these qualities more than others. But as a whole, you must admit that our species has not done a very good job of taking care of this planet -- or each other.
Are you asking David or me? Maybe the better question would be, have you ever done something bad to someone else in your life? We wouldn't be in this position if, as a whole, we took care of the planet and each other, and probably most of us have done a few things in the past to other people for which we should feel shame. Then perhaps the question becomes did we learn and improve ourselves from the experience, or did it reinforce a sociopathic tendency? It seems, for the most part, sociopaths have won control of the systems that are destroying an inhabitable planet. Is that a defining characteristic of the fittest of the species?
At the same time, the desire to dominate the environment is also instinctual, for survival. We started using up the planet on a small scale even before the advent of agriculture, tapping out the game and berries in one part, then moving on to use up the resources of another.
Is sociopathy simply an extreme manifestation of survival instinct? And is it our clever hands that allowed for our extra brain development and unfortunate ability to manipulate the world beyond its capacity? I feel fairly certain many higher mammals possess abstract thought and an understanding of life and death, but with only flippers and fins in the case of dolphins and whales or hooves in trunks in elephants that manipulation isn't possible.
And the answer is yes, I have done some things that were insane, stupid or hurtful in the past. Age or guilt, I don't know, just glad I went away from the worst parts of myself.
Geoff, I was asking David, actually. Sorry for the confusion.
I never claimed in my comment to never have done anything stupid or insane. Since you said stupidity and insanity are integral to being human, I only wanted to point out that includes you.
Things are unraveling much faster than predicted. Antarctic ice shelves with twice the ice estimated, permafrost melting (and releasing viruses and bacteria which potentially humans no longer have immunity to, heat waves, wildfires and this is just the beginning.
Then we have a president raving about our having the "best military in the world, the best training, the best equipped....." but the US Navy can't build a temporary pier for food delivery in Gaza in one of the calmist water in the world. Something to be proud of? What would have happened on D Day with this level of competence? 20 partial shipments many of which never made it to the palestinian people for 230 million dollars. Has to be the most expensive rice in the world. That must be why we haven't won a war since WW2. Could we adapt surface to surface missiles maybe? With the supposed accuracy the MREs could be delivered to individual families. Call in your order.
https://www.nbcnews.com/investigations/pentagon-shut-troubled-gaza-pier-aid-operation-rcna161646
With sea level rise coastal towns and piers are going to disappear and for shipping purposes will have to be rebuilt. But how? Ses level rise will be relatively slow so they well have to be rebuilt continuously for years as well as access to them and support structure like cranes, refrigeration and storage warehouses etc.
We're just getting started! Woo hoo!
Little to disagree with your opinion. It's all quite a joke at this point. Scientific evidence is far greater than human hubris. I have been warning people for three years now with growing urgency. That does not make me admirable. I could see this stuff a long time ago. My skin should have been in the game then. Each day is precious. I never envisioned my life around writing what I write. It's a duty, whether it contributes to something better or nothing at all.
I was thinking about writing 20 years ago but when I considered the literacy level of Americans blew it off. Don't have any regrets about it either! Sadly enough.
Now we have the BS Trump assassination!
Looks like more reality TV! It'll give the children something to argue over till the selection! I mean election.
Keep it up. I'd write more but my hands are tied financially and technically.
It's about to get more squirrelly and unpredictable. I wonder when serious, widespread violence will break out. November will determine if there's a United States of America anymore. It may also determine whether I continue this work or not.
Let’s go!
Fight now or fight never.