| By Dan Golden |
Like a prospector at the height of the gold rush, too much time is spent sifting through the dirt searching for precious metals. Too much time has been spent arguing, discussing and explaining the most basic principles of science to the ignorant; without action. Futility is the new exercise program.
Then came a storm, which took too many by surprise. "T'was foretold". There is nothing like being faced with the most elemental of forces to trigger primal responses. The strange exhilaration of experiencing a real threat that requires immediate action. Then comes the satisfaction of knowing that one is as prepared as one can be, and that there are alternatives. Alternatives that are not necessarily comfortable, efficient or convenient, but nonetheless available.
*Hugs can opener*
Some need a reminder of how precarious life is. Others express gratitude for what they realize they actually have. A few pretend it never happened.
The story writes itself. Much is irrelevant, but everything is subject to change.
Striking. Relevant. Poignant.
ReplyDeleteEverything is possible.
Technology doesn't always hold the key.
Answers will always be questioned.
Questions may never be suitably answered.
Life - and questions - will continue.
Lessons learned will be time and relevance limited.
Dissonance returns.
Alistair, apt and succinct.
DeleteExactly.
And the circle of life continues;)
Freud once said, "Illusions commend themselves to us because they save us pain and allow us to enjoy pleasure instead. We must therefore accept it without complaint when they sometimes collide with a bit of reality against which they are dashed to pieces."
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen this quote.
DeleteVery true.
'On the nail' quote, Laoch - thanks.
DeleteWe humans are so weak and afraid (and our egos are so big). Re: "hugs can opener" *clap*
ReplyDeleteSeems counterintuitive to have both in one sentence, but true.
Delete:)
You've pretty much summed 'Now' up here, Ant. I agree with dbs, too - a *clap* for hugging can openers and anything else that quietly, simply, gracefully does what it's hear to do. In the midst of the fray, there is great beauty and sacredness in such everyday objects.
ReplyDeleteClaire, none of the old technologies failed, some of the new ones did.
DeleteI feel a post coming...;)
Oops. I meant 'here' to do (though perhaps listening will assist us!)
ReplyDeletePhonetic spelling is contagious.
DeleteFear not, you are not alone.
Genius over here just managed to erase my reply.
It was amazing how pitiful my problems were, compared to to those who lost their homes, their livelihood, their lives.
ReplyDeleteThe internet now seems irrelevant.
And, yet, here I am.
Crap. I'm gonna go make a fire.
Sigh. I know.
DeleteThe internet does provide comfort that not everyone is indifferent.
I'm stocking up on more canned goods.
without sounding too callous, it took some houses to be blown away for people to realise that people like you are right.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. It's sad that the people most affected are probably the ones who can't scream we told you so.
DeleteI don't think it's callous Sprite. Look at what happened here in Japan. I'm an American and I might get some flack for saying this, but most Americans look the other way until it happens to them. Then they think everyone should feel sorry for them. Now I'm being callous. I hate that people lost their lives and I hate that people are suffering. It will happen again and it seems like it will happen with more frequency if we don't start paying attention to what earth is trying to tell us. Fact or opinion, it's what I believe.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Antares, you aren't showing up in my Dashboard. I think you had the same problem with my posts. Gotta love Blogger...
DeleteI agree Meg.. It's awful that people have died, but I don't think their attitudes will change. It's not as bad here in Australia, because we DO see a lot of extreme weather. Cyclones, floods, bush fires. More Aussies are aware.
DeleteMeg, too many kept too ignorant. The climate will keep drawing our attention. My worry is that no one will do a thing until too many will lose everything. It's a global problem, we just don't hear much about what has been happening to islands that are considered third world.
DeleteWhile irrelevant, yours isn't updating. I've got lots of problems;)
@Sprite and Meg, at least the new reply features allows people to talk amongst themselves. That's an improvement.
DeleteI meant feature. Why is blogger not giving us edit comment options?
DeleteThese events always bring home the point to me that, no matter what technological wonders we accomplish, nothing we do can stand up to nature when she decides to show us who really is boss.
ReplyDeleteShe's one of those things we need to respect more.
Yeah. Agreed. *Watches brand new gadget fly away*
DeleteWhat's in your zombiepocalypse kit?
Coffee, mostly. Zombies don't sleep so staying alive will be a 24-hour job.
DeleteGood point. (I actually haven't thought of that. To do: Stockpile more coffee)
DeleteWell said my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you my friend.
DeleteSigh.
Subject to change. Always. This story is writing itself, no doubt. I just hope we have the opportunity to edit. ;)
ReplyDeleteWell done, Jayne.
DeleteAbout the only thing we may be able to edit is ourselves;)