Ten Global Trends
There has been some discussion here, of late, about the degree to which the fear that the current generation will live lives poorer, meaner, nastier, and shorter than those of our ancestors is justified, and, if so, if vocal complaint about this loss of prospects are being received with a spirit of generous courtesy by the graybeards and wise women of the tribe.
I myself have no strong opinion in the matter, nor do I think the question is properly framed.
The gray hair in my beard tell me this: Our earthly life is a pilgrimage through lands of shadow, not our home, and we walk in a vale of tears. The cold grave awaits each man with open maw, and the only man who buries no loved ones is he who dies first, or who never knew love. We are behind enemy lines in a world ruled by the Prince of Air and Darkness to whom the universal parents of mankind surrendered sovereign power, in return for a taste of the fruit of sin, which is death.
Against this backdrop, hearing in the foreground a debate over a comparison of ills is liken hearing two prisoners on death row differ over who has the more comfortable cell.
A certain degree of generosity of spirit toward one’s opponent perhaps is called for, seeing that his woes will be short lived, in the grand scheme of things.
This, however, excuses no man from showing proper stewardship toward his current life, gratitude to forefathers, prudence toward posterity.
Come the day of reckoning, when all accounts are tallied, the aged steward who mishandles the legacy must answer to the master for his neglect, as will, for his impudence, the child.
Be this as it may, an oasis of years as pleasant as plashing waters in the wasteland from time to time may proffer itself to the footsore pilgrim. Do we live in such an oasis of peace and plenty now?
I offer the words wiser than mine on the topic. Discuss among yourselves.
About John C Wright
John C. Wright is a practicing philosopher, a retired attorney, newspaperman, and newspaper editor, and a published author of science fiction. Once a Houyhnhnm, he was expelled from the august ranks of purely rational beings when he fell in love; but retains an honorary title.
