Open Mind Surgery

Sometimes we need something to cut through the noise and nonsense we are constantly bombarded with, something which puts things in a new perspective. This short video with commentary by the inspiring astronomer Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson is something I think does just that and which I hope we can all appreciate on some level.

 
Ultimately, our world will come to an end.

The sun will cool, expand to twenty times its current size and become a red giant. Early in this process, the Earth will become uninhabitable. This is billions of years into the future.

The real question is: Will humankind itself put an end to its supreme reign over the planet long before this?

It doesn’t look good.

In what is the thinnest imaginable slice of history representing human ascendancy and tyranny over Earth and every other species on it, we see an unflattering and unpromising story of careless plunder, destruction, waste, and extermination. We see a history which shows no regard for other living creatures, except as they have practical value to the only life form which apparently deserves the plentiful resources of the Earth. We see within our own species utter disregard for those humans which become inconvenient or are deemed expendable. Humankind has even distinguished itself as the only species to create the means of completely destroying itself and probably every other living thing __ which by tragic hapless accident is forced to cohabit Earth __ with just the mere press of a button. Recently we see him overheating the planet but inexplicably refusing to remove the kettle from the stove. His numbers unchecked by the typical processes of natural selection and competition, continue to increase exponentially. Probably the food and water will run out and the air will become unbreatheable.

No, it sure doesn’t look good.

Humans are a deeply, perhaps fatally flawed species. But there are splendid stories of hope within the grander themes of annihilation. In these we euphorically hurl ourselves to fly among imagined gods and soar with Pollyannaish abandon in the sunny heavens above the yawning abyss which will in the end claim us.

It may be its limitless capacity for frivolous optimism coupled with its unmatched devotion to self-aggrandizement which ultimately drives humankind to its unceremonious self-destruction.

The road to annihilation is paved with the best intentions and a smiley face.

So it has been … and so it always will be.

Unless something changes.

Unless we change.

[ This in part is excerpted from my new novel "12-12-12" which is being published this month both in print and as an ebook. Please visit my personal web site for more . . . http://jdrachel.com ]

Dennis Kucinich: Another Victim of Fragging

Fragging is shooting one's own military commander. Typically it is prompted by discontent with his or her leadership, which is viewed as a threat to the safety of those under direct command. Sometimes fragging can be a reaction to overall leadership or the conduct of a war, even an objection to the war itself. But it can also be inspired purely by hatred of an individual who is despised for personal reasons.
American politics conducts its own fragging. It shoots its leaders for political reasons. Usually that is tantamount to just wanting to win. It is the political assassination of a capable person by the opposing party or by the corporate media to eliminate a troublesome foe.

Dennis Kucinich is the latest victim. The gerrymandering of his district in Ohio has put his long and admirable career of outstanding public service in jeopardy. He will not be up for election to the next Congress.We have seen this type of hatchet job before. It takes many forms. The controlling party in a particular political arena manipulates the rules to its advantage. Honor and fairness, even the health of our democratic system, play no role. It's cage fighting. May the most vicious man win.

The media plays a big role. Al Gore was wooden. Ralph Nader a cranky old man. Ross Perot was ugly. Because these men were not Hollywood cool and beautiful, they were not fit for public office.

Under the current system, our best, most creative, most talented politicians can be sidelined and marginalized, eliminated altogether. That's the way it works now. Apparently it's the American way.

If you don't like what someone is saying or the way he looks . . . blam!
And we wonder why America is in decline?
Or maybe we don't.


[ This originated at the author's personal web site . . . http://jdrachel.com ]