So, now the Russian government has announced a new, “unstoppable” submarine-launched weapon system that is capable of mass destruction. Nice. Nothing like humanity’s need to destroy itself for…
And that’s just it. For what?
What could be gained by poisoning the air of the Northern Hemisphere with a cloud of radioactive fallout, where the Russians, if they haven’t noticed, live? And if, by chance, the weapon systems of the United States—the announcement of the new weapon mentions the USA as a target—survive, what havoc would Russia wreak on itself by attacking a powerful country with similar ability? Folly. Surely, folly.
That humans have sought to destroy one another since their beginnings seems to be an undeniable history. That shelter has always meant not just protection from nature’s dangers—from lightning to bears to poisonous critters—but also protection from other humans, has always been part of our species’ mindset. From rock shelters to fortresses and modern houses with security systems, we choose our dwellings on the basis of relative safety from the dangers imposed by one another.
We can look back on the destruction wrought by ancient wars. We can look at the destruction wrought by two world wars, but we have to wait to look back on the potential destruction of our current societies. That’s too bad, but that’s the way of the world. The potential for another big war exists simply because we put in the hands of a few the destinies of many.
That such a potential for destruction has grown by a new Russian weapon system gives each of us—even the Russian inventors—another reason to act on my fundamental principle: This is not your practice life. All those previous carpe-diem bits of advice generations have tried to pass on to ensuing generations still apply. Seize this day because there is always someone out there who wants to take it away from you.
And that’s just it. For what?
What could be gained by poisoning the air of the Northern Hemisphere with a cloud of radioactive fallout, where the Russians, if they haven’t noticed, live? And if, by chance, the weapon systems of the United States—the announcement of the new weapon mentions the USA as a target—survive, what havoc would Russia wreak on itself by attacking a powerful country with similar ability? Folly. Surely, folly.
That humans have sought to destroy one another since their beginnings seems to be an undeniable history. That shelter has always meant not just protection from nature’s dangers—from lightning to bears to poisonous critters—but also protection from other humans, has always been part of our species’ mindset. From rock shelters to fortresses and modern houses with security systems, we choose our dwellings on the basis of relative safety from the dangers imposed by one another.
We can look back on the destruction wrought by ancient wars. We can look at the destruction wrought by two world wars, but we have to wait to look back on the potential destruction of our current societies. That’s too bad, but that’s the way of the world. The potential for another big war exists simply because we put in the hands of a few the destinies of many.
That such a potential for destruction has grown by a new Russian weapon system gives each of us—even the Russian inventors—another reason to act on my fundamental principle: This is not your practice life. All those previous carpe-diem bits of advice generations have tried to pass on to ensuing generations still apply. Seize this day because there is always someone out there who wants to take it away from you.
RSS Feed