Race to Armageddon
©2015 C. Henry Martens
We are in a race to Armageddon. A race? Yes… because there are a significant number of people in our society not only wishing for Armageddon but actively engaged in bringing it about.
The two most obvious factions are diametrically opposed to each other. The science deniers that see a coming apocalypse (especially one involving higher temperatures) as the fulfillment of biblical prophesy, and the science embracers, those that believe people can, and will, overcome any obstacles to human survival.
But beyond the thought that there are human beings willing to play roulette with the future, all of the legitimate natural and man made disasters are still in the race as well. Some calamities are difficult to assign a causal relationship to. Natural disaster? Famine might be natural if an 800 year drought hits a society that irrigates with accumulated rainwater, but what about if it hits when a society has depleted groundwater with deep wells? But really, does it matter?
It cracks me up to imagine the science deniers standing in the way of something that could prevent the demise of our species… and all to prove that they and their religious views are right. I mean, do they have a calendar? Where does it say that God has the next hundred years in mind? What if God wakes up from a long nap and finds that his/her worshippers have jumped the gun and preempted his/her own plans? Wouldn’t s/he be ticked off?
The proponents of scientific bliss are just as bad. I am reminded of that great line in the movie Jurassic Park. You know, the one where Jeff Goldblum says, “Yeah, yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn't stop to think if they should.” I mean, ever since the Manhattan Project, when the scientific community pondered that the setting off of an atomic bomb might have the potential to burn off the entire atmosphere of the world… and did it anyway… has anyone hesitated to forge ahead. It is almost as if they expect divine intervention to step in and save us from their risky crap shoots. And that doesn’t even take into account the accidental and unforeseen consequences of unknown unknowns, some long range and seen as benevolent until the SHTF.
In the meantime there are several legitimate apocalypse scenarios in the offing. All with high probability. Perhaps they are the dark horses in this race, but they are every day closer to fruition. The scene plays out in my head like the announcement at a horse race.
“And they’re into the last turn! Global Warming is hugging the rail, ahead by a nose. Economic Collapse started to fade, but the whip is out and he’s staying abreast on the outside! Unexpected Famine and Genetic Exhaustion are crowding each other, vying for position with Genetically Modified Organisms! The two Plague Stables horses, Intentional and Accidental, are running neck and neck! Intentional Ignorance and Unqualified Stupidity faded fast from their early lead but are making a rally, driving the rest ahead of them! And on the outside, coming up fast from the rear, Undiscovered Asteroid is making his play! What a race, ladies and gentlemen! What a race! Get your betting stubs out folks… somebody is gonna win big!”
Whew! Won’t it be a relief when it’s all over? This constant expectation and competition is exhausting. Let’s get it over with!
Wait a minute. Calm down… Is that really how we want to play this hand? All in with a pair of deuces? Because that IS what seems to be going on. Personally, I think the real problem is that we are so invested in defending our positions, right or wrong, that we have given up on sanity. And THAT my friends, is the real most likely cause of Armageddon. My money is on Lack of Sanity in the 21st.
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www.readmota.com
We are in a race to Armageddon. A race? Yes… because there are a significant number of people in our society not only wishing for Armageddon but actively engaged in bringing it about.
The two most obvious factions are diametrically opposed to each other. The science deniers that see a coming apocalypse (especially one involving higher temperatures) as the fulfillment of biblical prophesy, and the science embracers, those that believe people can, and will, overcome any obstacles to human survival.
But beyond the thought that there are human beings willing to play roulette with the future, all of the legitimate natural and man made disasters are still in the race as well. Some calamities are difficult to assign a causal relationship to. Natural disaster? Famine might be natural if an 800 year drought hits a society that irrigates with accumulated rainwater, but what about if it hits when a society has depleted groundwater with deep wells? But really, does it matter?
It cracks me up to imagine the science deniers standing in the way of something that could prevent the demise of our species… and all to prove that they and their religious views are right. I mean, do they have a calendar? Where does it say that God has the next hundred years in mind? What if God wakes up from a long nap and finds that his/her worshippers have jumped the gun and preempted his/her own plans? Wouldn’t s/he be ticked off?
The proponents of scientific bliss are just as bad. I am reminded of that great line in the movie Jurassic Park. You know, the one where Jeff Goldblum says, “Yeah, yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn't stop to think if they should.” I mean, ever since the Manhattan Project, when the scientific community pondered that the setting off of an atomic bomb might have the potential to burn off the entire atmosphere of the world… and did it anyway… has anyone hesitated to forge ahead. It is almost as if they expect divine intervention to step in and save us from their risky crap shoots. And that doesn’t even take into account the accidental and unforeseen consequences of unknown unknowns, some long range and seen as benevolent until the SHTF.
In the meantime there are several legitimate apocalypse scenarios in the offing. All with high probability. Perhaps they are the dark horses in this race, but they are every day closer to fruition. The scene plays out in my head like the announcement at a horse race.
“And they’re into the last turn! Global Warming is hugging the rail, ahead by a nose. Economic Collapse started to fade, but the whip is out and he’s staying abreast on the outside! Unexpected Famine and Genetic Exhaustion are crowding each other, vying for position with Genetically Modified Organisms! The two Plague Stables horses, Intentional and Accidental, are running neck and neck! Intentional Ignorance and Unqualified Stupidity faded fast from their early lead but are making a rally, driving the rest ahead of them! And on the outside, coming up fast from the rear, Undiscovered Asteroid is making his play! What a race, ladies and gentlemen! What a race! Get your betting stubs out folks… somebody is gonna win big!”
Whew! Won’t it be a relief when it’s all over? This constant expectation and competition is exhausting. Let’s get it over with!
Wait a minute. Calm down… Is that really how we want to play this hand? All in with a pair of deuces? Because that IS what seems to be going on. Personally, I think the real problem is that we are so invested in defending our positions, right or wrong, that we have given up on sanity. And THAT my friends, is the real most likely cause of Armageddon. My money is on Lack of Sanity in the 21st.
Click HERE to receive these blog posts in your inbox.
www.readmota.com
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