Thinking. To actually take a topic, a concern, and turn it inside out and upside down in an effort to understand it, its meaning and consequences, and formulate a response or reaction. How clever an idea. Would that people remember that humans are gifted with that talent, equipped with brain power to enable it, and yet, so sad, how few actually recall those facts and actually use those brains.
Thinking has been both fuel and path by which, through which, mankind advanced. It also has been the impetus for tragedy when it did not take place or when few actually thought and most just aped those few to the detriment of mankind, sometimes almost to the point of extinction. Come to think of that, where the hell are we now? Talking of the sixth extinction. Talking of vast changes to the world. Talking of what needs to be done -but are we really? Thinking? Thinking. Hmmm.....
The Socratic Method. Rodin's famous sculpture The Thinker. Copernicus. Galileo. Dr. Lister. All the philosophers through the ages. All thought. All represented thinking. All either admired or ridiculed, as mankind fought against truths opposed to their current way of life. Or simply ignored, thinking that it was a never you mind, for what had that to do with their lives in reality.
"The report, ........ documents an increase in both wet extremes, including more intense rainfall over most regions, and dry extremes, including drying in the Mediterranean, southwestern Australia, southwestern South America, South Africa and western North America. It also shows that both wet and dry extremes will continue to increase with future warming."
Well, that is what it had and has to do with our lives, our daily lives, our future. Or lack thereof. It has to do with the statement, the thoughts, that led to "When in the course of human events....". Those people thought. They spoke of evident truths, some of which many are busy as bees trying to eradicate, deny, and crumble to death.
Too many of us have forgotten that the point of information, of reading, of becoming informed, is not so much to find out what others are thinking, as to formulate your own thoughts, develop your own manner of thinking, the skill and the knowledge to reject falsehoods, no matter how they are packaged - only to think clear and pure thoughts rather than parroting those of others.
Much to our doom, to our disgrace, few do that anymore. Or ever. The advances of mankind, the power of computers, the media, has increased a million fold. People search through the internet for lies upon which to base their own self taught lies. They believe in nonsense, as long as it suits them, reject truths, particularly if they are difficult to assimilate, to understand, to realize the consequences that follow these inimical ideas. And then they shout to the heavens with their ignorance and well, here we are. Are we not?
Trump, that man whose deranged ideas and plans have emphasized the consequences of lack of thought by too many, the danger of a personality cult, the awful things that happen when people cede their independence, tune out reality and truth, and ape a monster, is the latest opponent of the survival of humankind.. It has been done before in history, but I wonder if mankind and history are leaving us with no more off ramps, as too many follow such a madman, so dire the situation. Worse is that we refuse to do what must be done, harsh, deep changes to our lives if the planet and mankind are to continue to exist in any meaningful form. Or at all. Think of that. Think on that.
"DO YOU MISS ME?" So shouts that madman, perhaps the destroyer of humanity. Certainly the one who has let loose the dogs of war in this country, shredding its unity, draining its sanity, dooming its thoughts and its actual viability as it and the world seem to collapse around us all. Miss him indeed - like one misses a toothache or the heartache of loss of loved ones.
Would that we would, should, have missed him, totally, but wishes and horses one must remember. We can come back from him if we refresh ourselves, recall the power of thought, the wonder of independent, logical, caring, factual thinking by oneself, rather than the parroting of flawed thoughts of others. Independent, bold, forward thinking has been the path through which we advanced. Let us remember that and begin thinking anew, accept the honesty of the thinking and do what must be done. Else, well, the year 2040 or 2041 ain't that far away is it? Mad Max anyone?
Oy!!!!!
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