Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Responsibility against emotion
5 years since 9/11. People say this event changed the shape of the world. It certainly did create a new industry. That of strategic defence against an enemy we can't see. It re-introduced religious struggle. You see, the enemy is not a definite face. It is not Osama or Zawahiri, but is ourselves.
It's a realization of the vastness of this world and the diversity of cultures, thoughts and people that we need to recognize. A refusal to admit and reoncile these differences is a barrier to a better world. It is natural for people to want to protect their little universe, and have a little piece of reality to hold on to.
In a mere span of a century, man has beome much better connected. Cultures and ideas that would not have interacted are coming together with explosive outcomes. Head-on collision between ideologies that in the past came together on an occasional basis.
They knew each other exists, but they did not have to contend with having the other breathe down their necks. The clash of civilizations, the recurring theme in history, is set to reach a scale unfathomable in the past.
Centruies ago, the king told you to fight the infidels and you would as an army face them. Today, words, and media tell you to fight them, and you comply. Actions carried out against civilians by civilians. Hatred and fear. Misunderstanding from a sudden cultural shock. All of a sudden, you wake up with an enemy as your neighbour and you find it a tantalizing concept.
It is becoming increasingly clear that the number of people coming into contact with each other is growing. Without a doubt, the human race is becoming more and more empowered with each day. Freedom, rights and the resources to do any and everything without regard for the consequences, and only limited by the extent of one's pockets.
More importantly, it is a complete and utter disregard for the concept of responsibility. We have to be responsible creatures and not let our emotions get the better of us. For ourselves, for our future and for this world.
---Location: At Hall
Listening to: BBC Radio
Gavin
pondered @ 01:05
