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Gerridoc's avatar

Sadly, it’s an excellent summary of the current state of affairs.

ramona's avatar

Yes. But we do what we can. You pen articles like this. Others of us try to be activists of one sort or another. Mainly, the activists are failing because they can't accept the depth of the. crisis. But some of them can and do take actions which are the equivalent of your exhortation.

It doesn't seem to have much of an effect. But it is the ethical thing to do in the moment.

Why bother? Because civilization is talking to other human beings with the expectation of dialogue for the betterment of everyone.

That is the best us 'techno-slaves' can do.

Laura Batchelor's avatar

"Civilization is to groups what intelligence is to individuals. It is a means of combining the intelligence of many to achieve ongoing group adaptation. Civilization, like intelligence, may serve well, serve adequately, or fail to serve its adaptive function. When Civilization fails to serve, it must disintegrate unless it is acted upon by unifying internal or external forces."

__

and

__

When apparent stability disintegrates,

As it must -

God is Change -

People tend to give in

To fear and depression,

To need and greed.

When no influence is strong enough

To unify people

They divide,

They struggle,

One against one,

Group against group,

For survival position, power.

They remember old hates and generate new ones,

They create Chaos and nurture it.

They kill and kill and kill,

Until they are exhausted and destroyed,

Until they are conquered by outside forces,

Or until one of they becomes

A leader

Most will follow

Or a tyrant

Most will fear.

From Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler, c 1993.

Food for thought. I'm finding help in Butlers Parable books about how to think of my personal role for changing what is happening today.

There is another quote:

"Q: If God is change, then...then who loves us?"

A: We care for one another. We care for ourselves and one another."

This is our life raft. This is how we survive the unthinkable. We cannot do it alone, so plan accordingly and take whatever action you can to become/find a leader fighting for a better future or surviving the decline of the empire with your community.