When You Decide to Stop Hitting the Snooze Button

Society today is polarised. There are those that think about the big picture/future and those that think only of themselves/right now.

The fact is that anyone born within the last 60 years has entered into a world vastly different from anything that has been seen before in recorded history. The ability to realize that, as an average citizen of any country you are, fodder, is the key to present you with the timeless choice. You are entering a system of such gargantuan complexity that there are but two options. Try to change it or go with the flow and accept your fate.

This may seem as a bit of an alarmist statement but once you make the decision to educate yourself rather than rely on simply what is on offer a frightening array of subplots behind the average day to day grind becomes increasingly apparent.

The industrial revolution changed the world, and was eventually channeled into serving two worldwide wars. The most incredible change in society so far, and it was directed towards conflict. Millions died and millions continue to do so in the aftermath of a persisting paradigm of competition rather than co-operation. A defining point in our evolution as a species and it happened before most of us now were even but a sparkle in our fathers eye.

We stand today on yet another precipice. perhaps larger than we have ever faced before. once again a burgeoning technological advancement faces the prospects of being forced down the route of a global war. This time on terror, an indiscriminate and timeless adversary. Rather than utilize the potential for this new technology to connect, cooperate, explore and learn from a vast universe we are all aware that we are a part of, we direct it towards enslaving ourselves. This decision is being made now. You are a part of it. Therein lies the choice that face you today.

The world we live in right now is a globally interconnected world of many layers and power structures built up over thousands of years. To such an extent that those power structures now threaten to encroach upon free thought and evolution by experience. The multitudes with no wish to control are being forced to seize control to protect their very way of life. Yet another reason which makes this moment in history a defining moment, a generation of change. The choice to be alive now is not yours so you can either embrace or reject it.

Those who wish to be in control of others seek ways of living to those ideals and find ways to increase their control of a world that would scare them to death if they left it be. Those with no wish for control over others simply live their lives and meddle in nobody else’s. Both mindsets play out accordingly until they reach a point of unavoidable conflict, as they do now. This only makes the decision of what to do as a people with our new found silicon revolution that much more volatile.

Maybe as an intellectual species drawing its strength from diversity to power forward its evolution, this is how we regulate our numbers, not by competition over mating rights but by competition over access and the use of new intellectual property. By fighting over a small planet capable of sustaining us all we take the express lane in technological evolution, until just one commanding authority takes the leap towards exploring the great unknown that surrounds us. Or maybe not. Maybe we are at a point now where we can use our technology to enable us all to explore beyond our planet and there is a conflict over the rights to do so. This again is a polarising issue.

Whatever your views on these issues the time for blindly ignoring them is over. The global economic crisis we all face today is much more grave than most expect. This has the potential to force conflict to grow between neighbours not just nations. To force the world into a giant fight for survival for the many and a time of plenty for the few. Tyranny for the masses, opportunity for the ruling class. All the more reason for conflict.

This is an opportunity for those who desire cooperation to preach what they practice, show the path to another way beneficial to all and a chance for us all to face up to the reality of being human. To re-balance the past with forgiveness and to embrace the present with friendship as we look to the future together.

Make the decision to look around at the world you live in and you will be rewarded by becoming a part of it. Rewarded by the sense of self determination you will find in knowledge of your surroundings. This may be your only chance to tell the world about your ideas. Don’t let it slip through your fingers.