
The International Writers Magazine:21St Century Futures
'If were so
close to perfection then why are we so unhappy?'
The
21st century? Notes of the paranoid
James Ryder
Whats so wrong with wanting to live in the present, enjoying
the world as it is now? |
|
These days were
all planning for the future. Investing money, studying hard preparing
for the better days that are to come. Our culture has become obsessed
with moving forward. We look towards the future as some great end to
all our problems. A time of world peace and eternal happiness. We strive
to end all the worlds problems to prove our worth on this planet.
A feeble attempt to improve the mess we have made over the last centuries.
A last chance to make it all right.
But are we delusional? Millions go to university scared that if they
dont they will not be employable in later life. Technology moves
so fast that as soon as you buy computer it becomes outdated.
Me, Im befriending the computers, I treat mine with great respect
for I know when they take over I will be treated well.
Were promised great developments in all aspects of our lives;
technology is moving faster than we can keep up and progress in medicine
means pretty soon well all be immortal. But who wants to live
forever? Have we really thought this through? When did we stop wanting
to think about today? Whats so wrong with wanting to live in the
present, enjoying the world as it is now? Enjoying it before we damage
it any further. Sometimes it worries me that were all just running
blindly towards the light at the end of the tunnel. Its this striving
for perfection that will be our undoing.
Our short attention spans and lack of imagination. Everyone has their
addictions. A way to get through the day. For many its progress and
technology, others material possessions while others favour chemicals.
So close yet so far. If were so close to perfection then why are we
so unhappy. Is it because this generation in the west have felt no real
pain that we become obsessed with the small issues? We have had no great
world war. No great suffering. Life is pain and most of ours in self-inflicted.
We have advanced so too fast and we struggling to stay on the ride.
This is the human race at the height of its power, riding the crest
of some great wave of technology. But when will this wave break. Surely
its only a matter of time before somebodys finger slips
on the big red button. And then thats it. The wave breaks and
I for one sure dont want to get sucked into the undertow of this
one. It wont be an asteroid of some freak weather system that brings
the next ice age and ends the human race. We will destroy ourselves.
Drunk on power. Our generation are the final great children of evolution.
The closest to perfection yet the furthest from control. Hey at least
we will make beautiful angels.
© James Ryder Dec 2004
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