Help me understand . . .
the meaning of life in the world today.
Help me understand . . .
. . . why we are myopic, uninformed about the billions who will never read this. Pundits urge that we know our present enemies while retaining our lifestyle as a basic right. They overlook the truth that we must also understand the differences between those ‘enemies’ and ourselves. Consider these cultural chasms, rooted in lives worldwide, particularly between the West (especially the U.S.) and its adherents, vs. the rest of the world. Note: the disadvantaged outnumber the advantaged >50:1.
Us vs. Them
Birth in serenity and safety vs. birth, somehow, somewhere.
A safe place to sleep vs. ‘safe?’ What is the meaning of ‘safe?’
Clean clothing, washed often vs. clothing? Perhaps—but old, used, filthy.
Medical care and drugs, even if costly vs. little or no medical care or drugs, ever.
Hygiene, vs. clean water, plumbing. Explain ‘hygiene?’ ‘Clean water?’ ‘Plumbing.’
A loving childhood vs. no perceptible childhood.
Education as a right. Education? What education?
Life as opportunity vs. life as living death.
A long, happy and fulfilling life vs. a short, nasty and brutal life.
Freedom of choice. ‘Choice?’ Explain what that means.
Regular nourishment, even if marginal. Nourishment? Maybe. Occasionally.
Opportunity, the right to decide. No! Do as you’re told and don’t complain.
Leisure, ease, relaxation vs. boredom, pain.
Job prospects if we work hard. ‘Job prospects?’ What is a ‘job?’
Freedom from fear. Fear/uncertainty are our daily companions.
Religious freedom vs. religious dogmatism and repression.
Entertainment on demand. What is ‘entertainment?’ It’s forbidden.
Equality for women. Hah. Women are chattels, objects.
Democratic control to the many vs. oligarchic control to the few.
Companions, understood and appreciated. ‘Others,’ feared and distrusted.
Power flowing from reason and votes. Power is based on control and violence.
Protection by a trained police force. Really? Self protection is an essential.
Sex as available pleasure vs. sex as rare duty, on demand, any time, no avoidance.
Better life through technology. What is ‘tech-no-lo-gy?’
Concern for others, of all origins vs. fear and loathing for others, if different.
Reward and respect. Not here. For us, silence and obedience.
Potential success and luxury. Dreams. For us, likely poverty and early death.
Play, for example through sport vs. life devoid of play.
Art and experimentation as emotional growth. Never. Emotional control by religious edict.
Political democracy based on consensus vs. the barrel of a gun.
The rule of law vs. the rule of power.
So:
How do we resolve these cultural chasms? Have we the right to promulgate our ‘value’ systems? Should we involve ourselves in others’ destinies? Do we care enough, or at all? Should we try to bridge the divide, knowing that we face the lessons and challenges of centuries, perhaps of millennia, in bringing the disadvantaged forward to equality with the advantaged? Can we afford to? What is the essence of humanity and what does that entail? Is anyone a brother’s keeper?
Do we have the will to try? Or will we be buried by ignorance and religious extremism? The choice, inasmuch as we have the power, is in our hands. If not us, who? If not here, where? If not now, when?