The end of our arrogant civilisation
Our present human civilisation, the one that emerged through and as a result of centuries of human suffering, innovation and artistic and philosophical endeavour, starting with the enlightenment, through to the industrial revolution and the great wars of the 20th century, a civilisation that shone brightest in the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s of that century, is now on an irreversible decline and is, at an ever accelerating pace, heading toward oblivion.
The 90s was undoubtedly the feel good decade, it was a time of hubris and euphoria, a time of boundless optimism when communication technology allowed for greater interconnectivity and integration than ever before in human history. We felt like the world was getting smaller. In truth, what this interconnectivity did was teach us how to focus on the differences, the seeds of potential future conflict, and like all human innovation, we harnessed communication as a weapon. Now, we perfected the weapon, it's ammunition human liars and spin doctors, it's avenues of dissemination, the undersea cables, fibre optic network and communication satellites. Better, instant communication, hasn't made us better human beings, only more vulnerable to liars, more ignorant, more aggressive and distrustful.
What lacks in social media, say Facebook, is just that, the human face! Human beings in face to face dialogue can often resolve differences far easier than doing so at a distance. Social media has proved to be the perfect accelerant to fuel the Middle East fire as well as many others. How many social media sites closed accounts of terrorists that use social media to spread their vile psychological warfare? As we entered a new millennium, I remember many were expecting the world to end. It didn't, but our anticipation and expectation of a 'conclusion' of sorts did not abate. Call it self fulfilling prophecy, but this millennium will see the end of our arrogant human civilisation before we reach it's middle. Well, it was good while it lasted I suppose.
The 90s was undoubtedly the feel good decade, it was a time of hubris and euphoria, a time of boundless optimism when communication technology allowed for greater interconnectivity and integration than ever before in human history. We felt like the world was getting smaller. In truth, what this interconnectivity did was teach us how to focus on the differences, the seeds of potential future conflict, and like all human innovation, we harnessed communication as a weapon. Now, we perfected the weapon, it's ammunition human liars and spin doctors, it's avenues of dissemination, the undersea cables, fibre optic network and communication satellites. Better, instant communication, hasn't made us better human beings, only more vulnerable to liars, more ignorant, more aggressive and distrustful.
What lacks in social media, say Facebook, is just that, the human face! Human beings in face to face dialogue can often resolve differences far easier than doing so at a distance. Social media has proved to be the perfect accelerant to fuel the Middle East fire as well as many others. How many social media sites closed accounts of terrorists that use social media to spread their vile psychological warfare? As we entered a new millennium, I remember many were expecting the world to end. It didn't, but our anticipation and expectation of a 'conclusion' of sorts did not abate. Call it self fulfilling prophecy, but this millennium will see the end of our arrogant human civilisation before we reach it's middle. Well, it was good while it lasted I suppose.
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